Photo: Halloween spider at Alleghany Farm Services
A 45-year-old Lockport man admitted in Genesee County Court on Wednesday to concealing a human body in the trunk of a car and parking it in the town of Alabama on March 17.
Norman S. "Bud" DeBois entered a guilty plea to concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.
DeBois was initially charged in April with additional counts of hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Wednesday's plea satisfies all charges. He faces from 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 21 at 2:15 p.m.
On March 19, while investigating a missing person complaint out of Niagara County, Sheriff's deputies found the body of Michael G. Poole, 59, of Olcott.
Two Niagara County residents are accused of conspiring to murder Poole.
On April 19, Kathryn A. "Kit" Henry, 33, of Lockport, was charged with murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony, assault in the first degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, hindering prosecution in the first degree, a Class D felony, tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony, conspiracy in the second degree, a Class B felony, and conspiracy in the fourth degree, a Class E felony.
Last week, Edward A. Dunn, 38, of Lockport, was charged with murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony, assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.
Those two cases are pending further court proceedings.
The investigation into a case that began in March with the discovery of a body in the town of Alabama has concluded with the arrest of Edward A. Dunn, 38, of Lockport, on charges of murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony.
Dunn is also charged with assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.
The Lockport man is accused of killing Michael Poole and then taking steps to conceal Poole's body.
Dunn was arraigned in Genesee County Court on the indictment and ordered held on $100,000 bail. He is schedule to appear in court again on Nov. 7.
The investigation began on March 19, when the body of the 59-year-old Poole, an Olcott resident, was located during a search for a missing person from Niagara County.
Kathryn A. Henry, 33, from Lockport, was arrested on April 19 and charged with murder in the second degree. She was accused at the time of conspiring with another person to kill Poole and hide his body.
On June 27, the Sheriff's Office arrested Norman S. DuBois, 45, of Lockport, and charged him with hindering prosecution among other charges for his alleged part on conspiring to hide Poole's body.
Rural America, paychecks that don’t seem to go as far, and YouTube gurus that have latched onto how to make the most of inexpensive items have all added to the buzz of popularity for Dollar Generals in small town communities, and Genesee County is no exception.
The 10th such dollar store is on tap for approval at the next Genesee County Planning Board meeting this week. It’s set for 7 p.m. Thursday in the large Conference Room of County Building 2, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.
With at least three of the stores dotting the city of Batavia landscape, there are others on both the east and west parts of the county, and the latest one is planned for 7174 Alleghany Road, Basom.
Sweet Haven Farms/The Broadway Group, LLC has applied for a site plan review of the expected 10,556 square foot new commercial retail building on state Route 77.
The applicant is requesting a site plan review “for the development of a 10,640 square-foot retail space with supporting infrastructure, parking, drainage and lighting, etc.” Land uses adjacent to this property are rural, agriculture and residential, according to the application.
The planning board’s review is to include the following modifications:
1) The applicant provides documentation from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as to the project's impacts on threatened and endangered species; 2) The applicant provides a pedestrian connection to Sumner Road.; and 3) The applicant merges the remaining land with the parcels immediately north to avoid creating an additional nonconforming lot with no road frontage.
With these required modifications, “the proposed development should pose no significant county-wide or intercommunity impact,” the related site plan documents state.
Estimated cost of project is $474,550, and it would be situated on 2.19 acres for a total square feet of 95,396.4. The structure would be 76 feet by 140 feet as a new structure by Broadway Construction.
The proposed action is a permitted use under the zoning regulations and consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan, also with the predominant character of the existing (building) or natural landscape, according to the applicant.
This addition of this business is not expected to result in a substantial increase in traffic above present levels, public transportation services are not available at or near the site of the proposed store and there are not any pedestrian accommodations or bicycle routes available or near the site, the application states.
The proposed action does meet or exceed the state energy code requirements, and will connect to an existing public or private water supply, but will not create storm water discharge, the application states. Construction is to include impoundment of water, such as a retention pond or waste lagoon.
According to Trek Investment Group, Dollar General Corp.’s 14,000 stores yielded more than double the profit of Macy’s Inc. on less revenue during its most recent fiscal year. And its $22 billion market value eclipses the largest U.S. grocery chain, Kroger Co., which has five times the revenue.
While many large retailers are closing locations, Dollar General executives said they planned to build thousands more of these discount thrift stores, mostly in small communities that have otherwise shown few signs of the U.S. economic recovery, the company said.
With the groundbreaking for Edwards Vacuum's new plant at WNY STAMP in Alabama, it's all going according to plan.
In August 2020, Schumer traveled to WNY STAMP to propose a bill that eventually became law, funding the semiconductor industry in the United States to the tune of $50 billion. He said ramping up domestic semiconductor production was a matter of national security. He also wanted to create jobs in Upstate New York, including rural counties. At another news conference in 2022, he said chip manufacturing "belongs in Batavia, not Bejing."
"What makes us so happy about this project is J-O-B-S," Schumer said at Tuesday's ceremony. "Jobs, right here. In just over a year, hundreds of local workers will be employed at this factory behind me, where they will build some of the most sophisticated, cutting-edge equipment for the semiconductor industry, not just in New York and not just in America, but in the world. This will be one of the world-class plants right here in Genesee County."
In November 2022, Schumer announced that Edwards Vacuum had committed to building a $319 million dry-pump plant in WNY STAMP, which would provide a critical tool to semiconductor manufacturers in New York and beyond. Edwards is building a 240,000-square-foot campus that includes manufacturing, a warehouse and administration. The company is expected to employ 600 people.
Schumer said Edwards will pump $300 million into the Genesee County economy.
"This story is going to be repeated over and over again across upstate New York, over and over again, of what we now call the 'Semiconductor Superhighway,' which is I-90, as it runs from Albany all the way to Buffalo, through Rochester and Syracuse.
Mark Masse, CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, thanked all the agencies—from Gov. Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development to Genesee County and the town of Alabama—for their efforts to collaborate and help make Tuesday's groundbreaking possible.
"It requires collaboration at all levels of government to make an economic development project like Edwards Vacuum a reality," Masse said.
The work to build out STAMP is ongoing, Masse said, and it isn't easy.
"The competition to develop sites like STAMP and bring companies such as Edwards to New York has never been more challenging," Masse said. "The opportunities for communities across New York State, particularly upstate, are unlimited in terms of creating generational wealth that we have not experienced in a very long time."
Alabama Town Supervisor Rob Crossen said the town welcomed the opportunity for economic growth.
"Why would we accept such a thing in a very small town? It's about jobs. It's about good-paying jobs," Crossen said. "I spent my entire life growing up here, as many of us did, watching everybody move from Genesee County and from Western New York. Now, we're going to start seeing license plates from other states coming here."
During his speech, Schumer recalled watching WNY companies such as Kodak, Bausch and Lomb, Xerox, Bethlehem Steel, Bell Helicopters, and more either reduce manufacturing locally, move away, or close up shop.
"It pained me to see jobs leave Upstate New York to hear the stories and actually witness some parents at airports waving goodbye to their kids in their early 20s who wanted to stay here," Schumer said. "They liked the good life here, but they couldn't find a job here. Now, the reverse is going to be true. Parents will be going to airports in the rest of the country and waving goodbye to their kids as they come to Upstate New York for the good paying jobs."
Dispatchers are checking on the availability of Mercy Flight after receiving a report of a possible serious injury accident in the area of 6218 Alleghany Road, Alabama.
Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 5:10 p.m. Joanne Beck: Mercy Flight responding, ETA 9 minutes.
UPDATE 5:37 p.m. Joanne Beck: Mercy Flight en route to Erie County Medical Center. Howard Owens is at the scene.
UPDATE 6:32 p.m. Joanne Beck:
In a one-vehicle accident, considered to be one of those “freak” occurrences when not wearing a seat belt actually may have saved the driver’s life. The driver was ejected from his Jeep early Monday evening and is expected to survive, said Genesee County Sheriff’s Sergeant Andrew Hale.
The 39-year-old driver was flown by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center with serious injuries.
Hale said the vehicle was heading northbound on Route 63 towards Medina at approximately 4:50 p.m., where there was some road construction, when, for “some unknown reason,” the driver drove through road-closed construction signs.
“It’s out of the Alabama area here right on the county line, at which point it blew through some construction signs here, and overcorrected and went off the shoulder of the roadway. The construction crews are doing work in the area,” he said. “So from our preliminary investigation, we determined this vehicle rolled at least two times, possibly a third. And the individual was not wearing his seatbelt. And that's ultimately what probably led to him surviving the motor vehicle crash. Had he been wearing a seatbelt, he would have been probably trapped and crushed by the rolling of the Jeep. So, in this instance, it appears that being ejected from the vehicle is what ultimately saved him.”
Hale confirmed that the driver was conscious and alert when responders found him and was able to “talk briefly.”
“But he did have severe injuries,” Hale said.
He did not suspect that alcohol was involved in the accident, he said, but added there's no way of telling if drugs were involved at this point.
There will be an investigation as to why the driver went through the construction signs because “at this time, we don’t have an answer as to why he did that,” Hale said.
“We’ll definitely follow up,” Hale said. He’s got some things he’s got to tend to for right now, but when the time comes, we’ll probably ask him those most important questions.”
There was an off-duty volunteer fireman who lives just up the road who heard the accident and and, along with his father, also responded to the scene.
It is still being determined at what point the driver was ejected from the vehicle, Hale said. He was just lucky in this case that he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, though Hale encourages everyone to wear one.
“Absolutely wear a seatbelt. You know, 99 percent of the time, it will only benefit you and help save your life and help save others’ lives,” he said. This was just one of those rare freak accidents, and in this case, it played to his benefit.”
The driver’s fiancee had been notified of the accident, Hale said. The driver's name has not yet been released.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center plans to build a 500,000-gallon water storage tank at WNY STAMP to help with the fire suppression needs of current and potential park tenants.
The immediate need to provide sufficient water pressure for the Edwards Vaccum plant is now under construction.
Mark Masse, CEO of GCEDC, said a 12-inch water main supplies STAMP now, but the water pressure isn't sufficient to meet Edwards's fire suppression needs.
Edwards will need 120,000 gallons of water at the ready from the tank to support its fire impression system. The excess capacity will provide service to any future tenants.
The water will be non-potable and rarely changed. A heating element will keep it from freezing in the winter.
A 30-acre parcel is available to the north of the new Edwards facility. If a potential buyer were interested, Edwards would have first right of refusal.
"There is a potential for a project there that could utilize that tank as well," Masse told the Genesee County Planning Board on Thursday.
STAMP Waterworks Corporation, which will own the tang, currently has an operations and maintenance agreement with the town of Batavia for the tank and the rest of the water system at the STAMP site.
The tank's design and engineering have yet to be completed, so Massee couldn't provide an estimated cost when asked by The Batavian. He said bids should go out by the end of the year. Funding is from a grant, Fast New York, already received by GCEDC to fund the overall infrastructure for STAMP.
The LUCAS Chest Compression System is a proven lifesaver, and even if it can't save every person suffering a cardiac event, it can save more people than manual CPR alone.
Though, any attempt at CPR until medics arrive is better than no life-saving attempt.
That was the message of speakers on Saturday at the Alabama Fire Hall during a ceremony thanking the Woodward family for donating a LUCAS system to the Alabama Volunteer Fire Department.
"Chest compressions during CPR are the single most important and most effective life-saving measure when doing CPR, and the LUCAS device implements those compressions perfectly to the right depth, and the right timing and the right speed to give the patient the utmost chance of life," said Wendy Thompson, president of the Alabama Fire District.
The devices can cost as much as $20,000.
The Woodward family has been associated with the Alabama Hotel since 1950. The current owner is Bonnie Woodward, whose husband, Mike Woodward, died July 11. CPR was performed, and a LUCAS system was deployed by medics when they arrived; it didn't save him, but the Woodward family recognized the importance of the availability of the device in Alabama.
"I'm sure, you know, being from Alabama and the family and the roots here and the community is why she wanted to contribute to this fire department," said her son, Mark Woodward.
"What I witnessed was that it allowed the first responders to focus on dealing with the hospital, talking to the doctors, what do we do next," Mark said. It also afforded them space to work. Imagine somebody there in the way while you're trying to do all that other work. It was something that just allowed the first responders to do the best job that they could."
Mark acknowledged that not everybody can be resuscitated, "but I'm certain that this device will save lives because there are those people that, with this device, they'll survive where they otherwise wouldn't have."
In dedicating the new device, Pastor Ron Dart of Genesee Country Church noted the blessings of advanced medicine. He said he was the youngest of five or six siblings (he explained this was a topic not much discussed in his family), and with all of his brothers and sisters dying in childbirth, he said it was sobering to think about his survival.
"I happened to come along quite a bit later when there was more medical development taking place in the medical field," He said. "Due to that medical advancement, I'm here."
He said the advancements in health care are a gift from God.
"You know, God has enabled man to learn more about the complexity of how God has created us," Dart said. "So, a passage of Scripture says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And I firmly believe that. We do not just, poof, happen. We have an Almighty God who has laid out a desire for mankind to be able to be upon this earth and to function and to live."
Press Release:
The New York State Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, today advised motorists that State Route 63 through the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in the Town of Alabama, Genesee County, will close to accommodate a federal culvert replacement project beginning July 1. The closure is anticipated to be in place until September 1.
Motorists are encouraged to follow the posted detour that utilizes State Route 77, Gasport Road, and State Route 31. Local traffic will be able to access Route 63 up to the immediate work zone. Access to the refuge will remain open for the duration of the closure.
Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedule. Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.
Tacarie M. Broadbent, 18, of Batavia, was arrested on May 23 on a warrant. He is charged with menacing 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 4th, criminal mischief 4th, obstruction of governmental administration 2nd, and assault 2nd. The warrant stemmed from an incident reported on May 3. Broadbent was accused of threatening another person with a knife. When police arrived on scene, he allegedly attacked and injured responding officers. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed.
Jennifer Moore, 38, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, inadequate muffler, and insufficient tail lamp. Akeem Gibson, 34, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. A vehicle driven by Moore was stopped by deputies at 1:45 a.m. on June 1 in the area of Park Road and Oak Street, Batavia. During the traffic stop, deputies requested the assistance of Officer Stephen Quider and K-9 Batu, Batavia PD. As a result of the investigation, Moore and Gibson were accused of possessing a large quantity of narcotics. Moore and Gibson were held pending arraignment.
Norman P. Michael, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, tampering with physical evidence, and construction of governmental administration. Michael was arrested on May 27 after an officer working with the Neighborhood Enforcement Team allegedly witnessed Michael make a drug transaction. Michael allegedly fled from the officer and that he threw a large quantity of narcotics down a storm drain. The police did not release whether the drugs were recovered. Michael was arraigned in City Court.
Paul Harrison Pelton-Wibbe, 26, of Lewiston Road, is charged with criminal possession of a firearm or knife. At 6:35 p.m. on May 30, deputies were dispatched to the town of Alabama. The nature of the call is redacted from the press release. The suspect, Pelton-Wibbe, reportedly left on a bicycle prior to the deputies arriving. he was located but allegedly refused to stop for deputies. He was taken into custody after an alleged brief struggle. A search allegedly revealed his possession of a 4 Kung Fu Stars. A further section of the press release was redacted. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Rachel A. Baehr, 37, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Baehr is accused of not returning a friend's dog she was caring for. She allegedly sold the dog to another person. Baehr was issued an appearance ticket.
Michael D. Strobele, 46, of Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Strobele is accused of attempting to smuggle methamphetamine into the UMMC emergency room on Sept. 23. Strobele was arrested on May 21 and issued an appearance ticket.
Samuel R. Blackshear, 23, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd and endangering the welfare of a child. Blackshear is accused of fighting and causing injury to another person while in the presence of a child. Blackshear was arraigned in City Court and was released.
Nathan W. Campbell, 43, of Batavia, is charged with burglary and petit larceny. Campbell is accused of stealing merchandise from Tops on May 11 after previously being barred from the property. He was arraigned and released. Campbell was arrested again on May 23 on a trespass charge for allegedly entering Tops again. He was issued an appearance ticket. On May 17, Campbell allegedly entered a church on East Main Street where he had been previously ordered not to enter. He was charged with trespass and issued an appearance ticket. He allegedly entered the same church again and was charged again. He was also charged with open alcoholic container in public. He was again issued an appearance ticket and released.
Alicia M. Lyons, 44, of Batavia, was arrested on May 14 on seven warrants. She is charged with resisting arrest after allegedly failing to appear in court on seven prior charges and fighting with an officer when the officer attempted to take her into custody in the warrants. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held in jail.
Nancy L. Lawrence, 72, of Batavia, is charged with soliciting alms. Lawrence is accused of being in the area of M&T Bank asking people for money. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Alice E. Torres, 59, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Torres is accused of hitting another person during a fight on Woodrow Road on May 12. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Katie L. Farewell, 35, of Batavia, is charged with unnecessary noise. Farewell is accused of playing loud music on May 11 in violation of Batavia Municipal Code. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Ronald W. Ball, 58, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd and harassment 2nd. Ball is accused of entering another person's residence without permission and striking and shoving that person. He was arraigned and released.
Valeria A. Antonetty, 43, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Antonetty was charged following a vehicle accident on May 11 in the drive-thru of McDonald's on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Paul W. Schwandt, 56, of Alexander, is charged with DWI. Schwandt was allegedly involved in a fight in the McDonald's parking lot on East Main Street on May 11. He was arraigned and released.
Michael C. Mirabal, 51, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on May 15. He was initially charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs on Dec. 8. He allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Jennifer L. Allegue, 52, of Batavia, was arrested on May 14 on a warrant. Allegue was initially charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd, after a traffic stop on Jan. 25. The warrant was issued after she allegedly failed to appear in court. Allegue was arraigned and released.
Garret J. Walker, 21, of West Seneca, is charged with DWI. Walker was stopped on May 7 on West Main Street by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Douglas G. Goodwin, 33, of Basom, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st. Goodwin is accused of driving a motorcycle in the city of Batavia on May 26 while his driver's license was restricted by more than 10 suspensions. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Alvin E. Way, 63, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Way was arrested on May 18, accused of entering a residence on River Street in violation of an order of protection. He was arraigned and jailed.
Steven J. Godinho, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Godinho was arrested on May 17, accused of damaging a TV during a fight on Richmond Avenue. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Donald D. Ryan, 40, of Pembroke, and Melvin G. Draper, 40, of Pembroke, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Ryan and Draper were reportedly in a vehicle stopped for an alleged infraction on May 22 in the city of Batavia. K-9 Officer Stephen Quider and K-9 Batu were requested to the scene. After a positive alert, police searched the vehicle and reportedly located a quantity of narcotics. Ryan and Draper were issued appearance tickets.
Alena N. Burr, 23, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Burr is accused of pushing a Batavia patrol officer on May 19 during a disturbance at a residence on South Main Street. Burr was issued an appearance ticket.
Kevin Q. Thomas, 35, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on May 22. He is charged with criminal trespass 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and harassment 2nd. Thomas is accused of entering a residence on Feb. 10 and fighting with another person in the presence of a child. He was arraigned and released.
Justin M. Wotherspoon, 27, of Batavia, was charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Wotherspoon was arrested on May 22 and accused of violating an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Amanda L Dennis, 43, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dennis is accused of shoplifting at Tops. She was issued an appearance ticket.
John W Biasell, 55, of Batavia, and Bill A. Thomas, 64, of Batavia, are charged with open containers in public. They were charged on May 16. They were allegedly found in the Peace Garden with open alcoholic beverage containers. They were issued appearance tickets.
Peter C. Ayala, 59, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Ayala was stopped on May 17 on School Street by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued several tickets and released.
Alice E. Torres, 59, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Torres is accused of punching and kicking another person at a residence on Woodrow Road on May 12. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Michele A. Struzyk, 64, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4 and two counts of harassment 2nd. Struzyk is accused of hitting another person and of damaging property during a fight on Richmond Avenue on May 16. Struzyk is accused of intentionally slamming a door into a responding officer. She was arraigned in City Court and released.
Michael S. Mault, 29, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol. Mault was stopped on June 8 for allegedly speeding. He was issued traffic tickets and released.
Jeremy Lyons, 39, of Mount Morris, was arrested on a warrant on May 18. On April 28, he was charged with DWI. A warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. Lyons was arraigned and released.
William E. Tolliver, 61, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Tolliver was stopped on June 10 by a Batavia patrol officer on Washingto Avenue on possible vehicle and traffic law violations. He was issued traffic tickets and released.
Jacob W. Patterson, 28, of Batavia, was arrested on June 7 on a warrant. Patterson was located by a Batavia patrol officer in the area of Jackson Street and Central Avenue. When the officer attempted to stop him, he allegedly ran from police. He was taken into custody in the back yard of a residence on Dawson Place. He was arraigned and released.
Ryan A. Maxwell, 20 of Batavia, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd. Maxwell is accused of punching a male and slapping a female during an argument in Austin Park on June 6. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Michael S. Mattern, 50, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd and trespass. Mattern is accused of refusing to leave a business on June 7 and attempting to punch an employee. He was arraigned and released.
John T. Grande, 54, of Buffalo, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. He was arrested June 5. Following an investigation by a Batavia police officer, Grande was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle on April 22 under the influence of marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Danny J. Torok, 37, of Rochester, was arrested on a warrant on June 7. Torok allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered on a driving while ability impaired by drugs charge. Torok entered to a guilty plea and was sentenced to 15 days in jail.
Dannie J. Sims, 68, of Albion, is charged with grand larceny 4th and petit larceny. He is also charged in a separate incident with petit larceny and harassment 2nd. Sims is accused of stealing a wallet from a customer at Tops. He was arrested on May 31 when he returned to Tops and was identified as the suspected thief after allegedly stealing merchandise from the store. Sims was issued an appearance ticket.
Paul W. Schwandt, 56, of Alexander, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and menacing 2nd. Schwandt is accused of threatening another person with a golf club during a confrontation on East Main Street on June 3. He was arraigned and released.
Mark A. Remington, 50, of Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to register, 2nd offense. He was arrested on May 30. Remington is a registered sex offender. It’s alleged that Remington possessed an unregistered social media account and phone number. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.
Benjamin G. Evans, 35, of Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Evans was charged on May 30 after patrol officers reportedly observed him riding a bicycle. They attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant, but Evans allegedly fled from police on his bike. He was eventually taken into custody in the backyard of a residence on State Street. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Jeanna M. Hattaway, 37, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hattaway is accused of shoplifting from Family Dollar on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Christopher William Fowler, 35, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI. Fowler was stopped at 7:23 on May 15 on Pearl Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Sean Michael Conway, 47, of Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operator, and unlicensed driver. Conway was stopped at 10:38 a.m. on May 17 by Deputy Jenna Ferrando on West Main Street Road, Batavia. He was held pending arraignment.
Brandon J. March, 39, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. March is accused of using the Genesee County Jail 13 times to call a person he was ordered by a court to not contact. He was arrested on May 12 and held pending arraignment.
Jason W. Warner, 42, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Warner was stopped on May 31 for allegedly running a red light. She is accused of driving while intoxicated and also having switched plates on her vehicle. She was arraigned and released.
James Carl Malone, 27, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Malone is accused of striking a woman with an open hand during a disagreement at 6:45 a.m. on May 31 at a location on Clinton Street Road. He is also accused of scratching the woman on her chest. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Ryan Philip-Harrison Clarke, 34, of North Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Clarke is accused of throwing objects at a moving vehicle on West Main Street, Le Roy, at 2:02 p.m. on June 3. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Layliana Monet Shine, 19, of Albion, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and harassment 2nd. Shine was charged following an incident reported at 9:18 a.m. on June 8 on Pratt Road, Batavia. She was held pending arraignment.
Laurie A. Pearse, 53, of Gabbey Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal possession of a firearm 2nd, grand larceny 4th, and falsely reporting an incident. Peare was arrested on June 5 for allegedly stealing a firearm from a location in Pembroke. She is also accused of calling 9-1-1 to make a false report of a domestic incident to obtain a police response. Pearse was held pending arraignment.
Mark David Heidenreich, 34, of Colony Run, Attica, is charged with harassment 2nd. Heidenreich is accused of threatening to beat somebody up at 2:30 p.m. on June 9 at a location on Hyde Park in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Allyson Paige Lawrence, 29, no fixed address, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Lawrence was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine at 1:30 a.m. on June 3 on Veterans Memorial Drive. The narcotic was allegedly found in her purse during a custody search. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Jordan Richard Rose, 23, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Rose is accused of violating an order of protection on April 21 on Prole Road, Stafford. He was arrested on June 10. He was arraigned and released under supervision.
Christopher George Mayorga, 48, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon 4th. He is accused of possessing on June 13 two shotguns and a rifle as a convicted felon. He was held pending arraignment.
Danny Devon Williams, 35, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd. Williams is accused of fighting at 3 p.m. on June 11 in the Genesee County Jail, resulting in an injury to another inmate. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Marissa Bea Torres, 33, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Torres is accused of breaking the windshield of a vehicle during an argument at 11:11 a.m. on June 18 at a location on Park Road, Batavia. There were allegedly two children in the victim's car at the time. She is also accused of possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Andres Manuel Cabrera, 29, of Pershing Parkway, Mineola, is charged with obstructing government administration, driving left of pavement markings, unsafe passing, making a U-turn on a grade or curve, and signaling illegally from a parked position. Cabrera is accused of fleeing from a traffic stop at 8:21 on June 15. He eventually stopped on Route 5 at Boyce Road. He allegedly refused to leave the vehicle and locked the doors. He was arrested, processed at the Genesee County Jail, and released on an appearance ticket.
A man has reportedly fallen approximately 20 feet from a grain elevator at a location on Bloomingdale Road in Alabama.
Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
Dispatchers are checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.
UPDATE 10:26 a.m.: Oakfield Fire dispatched to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.
UPDATE 10:33 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.
Austin Malek, 22, of North Street, Le Roy, is charged with strangulation 2nd, assault 3rd, unlawful imprisonment, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Malek is accused of assaulting a female victim at about 2 a.m. on May 2 at a location on North Street in the village of Le Roy. Le Roy patrol officers responded. According to police, the victim displayed visible injuries, and the police describe the incident as "violent." Malek was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing. He was arraigned and ordered held on $20,000 bail, $40,000 bond, or $80,000 partially secured bond.
Brandon J. March, 39, of Batavia, is charged with strangulation 2nd, criminal contempt 1st, assault 3rd, unlawful imprisonment 2nd, menacing 2nd, criminal contempt 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. March is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection during an altercation On May 8 on South Lyon Street by strangling the victim, not allowing the victim to leave the residence, and striking the victim multiple times, causing an injury. March is also accused on the previous day of damaging a car wind belonging to the same victim. He was arraigned and jailed on $5,000 bail, $10,000 bond, or $25,000 partially secured bond. March was arrested on similar charges in January.
Shawn M. Sloan, 39, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, menacing 2nd, criminal mischief 4th, and harassment 2nd. Sloan is accused of breaking into a residence on Porter Avenue on April 24 while in possession of a pellet gun. He was arraigned and jailed.
Benito A. Gay, 36, of Batavia, is charged with robbery 2nd and menacing 2nd. Gay is accused of using force to steal money from another person on April 21 on Hutchins Street while giving the appearance of pointing a firearm. He was arraigned and jailed.
Nathaniel R. Davis, 29, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, menacing 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing, and harassment 2nd. Davis is accused of holding a knife to the throat of another person during an incident on Porter Avenue on April 17. He also is accused of grabbing the person around the neck. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held.
Adam T. Shipwash, 44, of Batavia, is charged with attempted robbery 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, menacing 2nd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Shipwash is accused of entering the Mobil gas station on East Main Street Batavia on April 15, brandishing a knife and demanding money from the clerk. Shipwash left the store after the clerk refused to give him any money. He was arraigned and released.
Sharon R. Boyer, 55, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Boyer was arrested on April 20 after she reportedly nearly struck two police officers on foot patrol in a crosswalk at Hutchins Street and Sumner Street. Boyer allegedly failed to yield to the pedestrians, and the officers told her to stop her vehicle. After speaking with her, they placed her under arrest on a charge of DWI. She was issued an appearance ticket and turned over to State Police on a warrant.
Fawn Dockstader, 37, of Batavia, is charged with arranging the welfare of a child. Dockstader is accused of digging her nails into a child's arm, grabbing the child by the hair and punching the child in the fact on April 16. Dockstader was arraigned in City Court and released.
Nicholas L. Stone, 25, of East Pembroke, is charged with DWI, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, criminal mischief and multiple traffic violations. On April 5, Batavia PD responded to a report of a fight involving several people at Copperhead Creek on West Main Street. As patrols arrived, a vehicle was observed leaving the area at a high rate of speed. The vehicle headed southbound on South Lyon Street and failed to negotiate a turn on South Main Street, driving off the road and through a yard, causing damage to the lawn. Stone was issued an appearance ticket.
Jason E. Carpenter, 45, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Carpenter is accused of damaging a toilet inside a residence on West Main Street, Batavia. After being issued an appearance ticket, he allegedly set the ticket aflame and threw an object through a window, leading to another appearance ticket.
Johnathan M. Falk, 25, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Falk is accused of stealing merchandise from Tops on April 7. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Jeanna M. Hattaway, 37, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on April 15. The warrant stems from a traffic stop in April 2023. She is accused of possessing a controlled substance during the traffic stop. She allegedly failed to appear in court on the charge. She was arraigned and released.
Lance D. Beals, 53, of Batavia, was arrested on two warrants on April 13. The first warrant stems from an incident on July 12 when Beals allegedly stole and damaged a cell phone from a residence on East Main Street. The second warrant stems from an incident on July 30 when Beals was accused of damaging property at the same residence. He was issued appearance tickets in both cases. He allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned and released.
Shane R. Reisman, 54, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Reisman is accused of stealing property from Tops. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Tiffany M. Macey, 32, of Batavia, was arrested on April 8 on a warrant. Macey was ordered to appear in court following a traffic stop on July 3. She allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. She was arraigned and released.
Ann M. Capuano, 39, of Batavia, is charged with menacing 2nd, criminal mischief 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Capuano is accused of damaging a neighbor's door and threatening the neighbor with a hammer while in the presence of a child on April 11. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Michael R. Ostrander, 59, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt 2nd. Ostrander is accused of violating an order of protection on April 12 at the Genesee County Courthouse. When officers responded to his residence to arrest him, he was allegedly found with the protected party violating the court order, leading to the second criminal contempt charge. He was arraigned and ordered held.
Eric R Sawyer, 36, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Sawyer was charged following a traffic stop by Batavia PD on Bogue Avenue. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Tanisha N. Gibson, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Gibson is accused of violating an order of protection on April 8 by engaging in a verbal argument. She was arraigned and released.
John H. Bush, Jr., 40, of Batavia, was arrested on April 7 on three warrants. He is also charged with resisting arrest and escape 3rd. A Batavia patrol officer located Bush at the Mobil gas station on East Main Street. The officer began to take Bush into custody on the warrants. Bush then pulled away from the officer and attempted to run. Police were able to stop him and successfully take him into custody. He was arraigned and released.
Trevor N. Christman, 33, of Batavia, is was arrested on April 24 on a warrant. Christman was initially arrested on March 14 for allegedly exposing himself in public. He allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned and released.
Ricky L. Miller, 42, and Ryan M. Arner (no age provided), both of Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Miller and Arner are accused of stealing merchandise from Tops on April 23. They were issued appearance tickets. Miller was turned over to the Sheriff's Office on an open warrant.
Mark A. Remington, 50, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Remington is accused of stealing merchandise from Qucklee's on Oak Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Robert B. Elliott, 50, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd and obstructing government administration 2nd. On April 19, police responded to a report of a disturbance inside a residence on Hutchins Street. Elliott is accused of pushing another person and then resisting officers' attempts to detain him. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Shamond R. Adams, 27, of Batavia, was cited on April 21 for a barking dog violation. Adams is accused of allowing his dog to bark continuously. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Shawn T. Rushok, 25, of Batavia, is charged with failure to register within 10 days as a sex offender. Rushok is accused of failing to register a Snapchat account as required as a registered sex offender. He was also charged with offering a false instrument for filing 1st for allegedly submitting false payment records to probation as proof of employment. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Miyear M. White, 22, of Buffalo, was arrested on April 26 on two warrants. In one warrant he is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th. In the other, he is charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing a credit card on Feb. 12 and using the card in a local store. He was arraigned and released.
Nicholas J. Wright, 31, of Pavilion, is charged with DWI. He was stopped on April 28 for allegedly speeding on Ellicott Street. Following the traffic stop, he was arrested and issued an appearance ticket.
Julie L. Williams, 29, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Williams allegedly sent numerous text messages to another person for "no legitimate purpose." She was issued an appearance ticket.
Paul W. Zeches, 35, of Caledonia, is charged with failure to report a change of address as a sex offender. Zeches is reportedly a Level 2 sex offender and he allegedly failed to report a change of address. He was arraigned and released.
Thomas L. Predmore, 71, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th and petit larceny. Predmore is accused of stealing a wallet from another customer at a business on East Main Street on May 7. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Justin M. Wotherspoon, 37, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd. Wortherspoon is accused of pushing another person and dragging her to the ground during a fight on Clifton Avenue, Batavia, on May 7. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Jessica L. Maye, 30, of Riga, was arrested on May 5 on a warrant. Maye is accused of failure to appear on a misdemeanor traffic ticket thwas issued in February. She was arraigned and released.
Johnathan M. Falk, 25, of Batavia, was arrested on May 5 on a warrant. Falk was initially charged with petit larceny on April 23. He was accused of stealing merchandise from tops. He allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned and released.
Perrion T. Swan, 33, of Rochester, was arrested on April 27 on a warrant. He allegedly failed to appear on a traffic ticket that was issued in August. He was arraigned and released.
Nathan W. Campbell, 43, of Batavia, was arrested on May 2 on a warrant. He was initially charged with trespass on March 28. He allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Ryan Christopher Cook, 46, of Federal Drive, Batavia, is charged with failure to report a change of address within 10 days as a registered sex offender and failure to verify address every 90 calendar days as a Level 3 registered sex offender. Cook was arrested April 23, arraigned and released.
David Andrew Zwolinski, 70, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Deputies were dispatched to Zwolinski's home at 10:50 p.m. on April 23 to investigate a reported motor vehicle accident. As a result of the investigation, Deputy Jacob Kipler arrested Zwolinski. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Brian Meyers, 53, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with harassment 2nd. Meyers is accused of pushing another person to the ground at 6:45 p.m. on April 22 at a location on Bethany Center Road, Bethany. Meyer was held pending arraignment.
Jackie M. Shade, 34, of Le Roy, was arrested on May 6 on a warrant. Shade was issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket in March. She allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. She was arraigned and released.
Alexander James Young, 29, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with failure to stop at a stop sign; Young, along with David Michael Hawk, 39, of McKinley Avenue, Batavia, and Brandi Rose Hough, 29, of Bank Street, Elba, are each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Young, Hawk, and Hough were charged following a traffic stop by Deputy Jacob Kipler on East Main Street, Batavia, at 1:52 a.m. on April 25. All three were processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Fernando Campos, 28, of Flamingo Road, Sunrise, Fla., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Campos was stopped at 12:50 a.m. on April 29 on South Lake Road, Bergen, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. Compos was released on an appearance ticket.
Matthew Joel Sanchez-Sanquiche, 27, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Sanchez-Sanquiche is accused of possessing a handgun without a valid permit, also in violation of an order of protection, at 3:09 p.m. on April 23 at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. Sanchez-Sanquiche was arraigned and released.
Jason A. Armstrong, no age or residence released, is charged with an undisclosed crime. Armstrong is accused of damaging the windshield of a vehicle and punching a person in the face during a fight on Route 5 in the town of Pembroke on April 20. Armstrong was arraigned and held without bail.
Megan June Courtney, 28, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 3rd, grand larceny 4th, and criminal possession of a forged instrument 2nd. On April 4, Courtney is accused of possessing a forged check and of stealing a credit card. She allegedly withdrew $7,284.5 from a victim's bank account without permission. Courtney was arrested on May 1 and held pending arraignment. Courtney was also arrested on May 7 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Courtney is accused of leaving a three-year-old child at home with no adult supervision at 6 p.m. on May 7. The child was found running outside near the residence by himself. Courtney was held pending arraignment.
Kenneth Dwright Robinson, 50, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed driver, and unsafe turn. At 2:17 a.m. on May 5, deputies were dispatched to Batavia Downs on Park Road, Batavia, for a motor vehicle accident. Robinson was charged following an investigation by Deputy Zachary Hoy. Robinson was released on an appearance ticket.
Joseph Jonathan Kuzma, 44, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and aggravated unlicensed operation. Kuzma was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance by Deputy Jonathan Dimming during a traffic stop at 8:01 p.m. on April 29 on Cockram Road, Byron. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Thomas Shameek Taylor, 37, of Munger Street, Bergen, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Taylor is accused of violating an order of protection at 11:55 a.m. on May 6 by communicating with the protected party. He was held pending arraignment.
Yannott Kishickatigqua Lone, 33, of Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. Lone is accused of entering a building on Bloomingdale Road without permission at 4:55 p.m. on April 22 and, in the process, damaged a door. Lone was arrested on May 5, transported to the Genesee County Jail, and held pending arraignment.
Ronald Paul Dixon, Jr., 45, of East Avenue, Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. At 11:41 p.m. on May 4, Deputy Jacob Kipler observed a vehicle parked on the shoulder of West Main Street Road, Batavia, and upon investigation, determined there was evidence of assault that had just taken place inside the vehicle. Dixon was arrested, transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and held pending arraignment. Kipler was assisted in the investigation by Sgt. Mathew Clor.
Hector Martinez, Jr., 20, of Long Wood Drive, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 3rd. Martinez was allegedly found in possession of a stolen four-wheeler at 4:45 p.m. on May 2 at 8400 Buffalo Road, Bergen, by Investigator Chad Minuto and Investigator Howard Carlson. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
Kathleen Melissa Pritchard, 45, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with harassment 2nd. Pritchard allegedly had physical contact with another person during a fight reported at 6:17 p.m. on May 10. Pritchard was held pending arraignment.
Todd Jeffrey Hodgins, 37, of East Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Hodgins was stopped at 9:45 p.m. on May 10 on Broadway Road, Bethany, by Deputy Joshua Brabon. He was issued an appearance ticket.
When Logan Sauer learned there was an opening at the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge on Casey Road, he jumped at the chance to apply.
Sauer, 27, who grew up in Virginia, was working as a visitors services specialist for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the Twin Cities and was anxious to return to the northeast.
He started his new position with the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge in January 2023 and has since seen the refuge break records for attendance and participation in the program.
Sauer's duties as a visitors specialist are a little different than those of the refuge manager.
Tom Roster has been the refuge manager for 25 years.
The manager oversees the refuge's day-to-day operations, while Sauer works with the public and creates programs to attract visitors.
“I’m essentially a ‘people person,’” Sauer said.
Sauer has revamped much of the programming and opened the refuge to visitors every Saturday, as opposed to only four Saturdays a year before he came there.
“As a result, we’ve seen a high uptake in visitation and public programming,” Sauer said.
In 2022, the year before Sauer arrived at Iroquois, 857 people participated in programs, but the first year Sauer was here, that number jumped to 5,470, or a 538% increase. Likewise, visitation rose from 1,619 in 2022 to 2,549 (a 58 percent increase) in 2023.
One of the most popular new events was a Full Moon Luminary Night Hike, during which the Headquarters’ Trail was lined with ice lanterns, and hot chocolate was provided in the Welcome Center afterward.
“Four hundred and thirty people attended that and want to do it again,” Sauer said.
A Warbler Walk at Swallow Hollow on Knowlesville Road on Saturday, led by photographer and Buffalo State professor Ruth Goldman, sold out
Sauer, who also happens to be an artist, has incorporated art into events at the refuge.
“We started painting classes, free of charge,” he said. “People come here to bird and fish, and now they can paint what they see.”
Sauer said the Spring Spectacular, the biggest event of the year, is next Saturday (May 11). His goal is to have 1,000 visitors, and 800 have already signed up.
“We will highlight the interaction of nature, culture and arts,” he said.
Thirty exhibitors are expected, along with raptors, food vendors and special art projects by Friends of Iroquois Wildlife Refuge, funded by Go Art!
May programming will also include a beginner nature photography course at the Visitor's Center from 9 a.m. to noon on May 18. Pre-registration is required.
On May 25, seed ball and paper making will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Participants can drop in any time, and materials will be provided.
The popular Family Fishing Day, scheduled for June 8, will feature a day of free fishing and aquatic education with the Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. Families are invited to drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Ringneck Marsh off Oak Orchard Ridge Road. No permits are required, and all supplies will be furnished at no cost. Staff will be on hand to assist. Registration is requested.
More details on programs can be found on their Facebook page. To pre-register for programs, e-mail Sauer at logan_sauer@fws.gov or call (612) 759-8662 and leave a message.
Sauer added he didn’t know much about Western New York when he came here and didn’t think he’d like it.
“But I’m happy to be here, and I don’t plan to leave any time soon,” he said.
He said he is always open to new ideas and welcomes suggestions.
Press release:
“The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) is pleased to announce that we are working closely with the towns of Oakfield and Alabama, along with the village of Oakfield and regulatory agencies, to construct a force main to accommodate the current projects at STAMP and a potential future project.
“This project would result in capital improvements to the Village of Oakfield wastewater treatment plant, including the installation of equipment to reduce the current phosphorus discharge into Oak Orchard Creek.
“As the Oakfield line cannot fully replace the Orleans County line, we will continue to pursue the force main to Oak Orchard Creek in the town of Shelby through a different construction method, and we look forward to working with the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation as this process moves forward. The Oakfield plan alleviates the timing pressures for the build-out of the force main to Oak Orchard Creek.
“As a result of being recently notified by the USFWS that our permit for horizontal directional drilling for the force main to Oak Orchard Creek in the town of Shelby has been terminated, we are in the process of submitting a new permit application to propose an open cut construction method which will avoid the types of incidents that resulted from the former method.
“The determination by USFWS is unrelated to claims made by Orleans County regarding the force main to Oak Orchard Creek. Those claims brought by Orleans County were recently dismissed by the State Supreme Court following an Article 78 hearing.”
Amirose E. Hume, 35, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moved from lane unsafely. Hume was charged by Deputy Ryan Mullen following a one-vehicle accident at 1:12 a.m. on April 18 on Roanoke Road, Pavilion. Hume was transported to the jail for processing and released.
Krista Marie Penkszyk, 38, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and harassment 2nd. Penkszyk allegedly stole an item during a disturbance at a residence on Bethany Townline Road, Batavia, reported at 7:32 p.m. on April 16. She was held for arraignment and arraigned and released on April 17.
Michael Patrick Pullinzi, 64, no street address provided, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. He allegedly violated an order of protection out of Family Court at 6:30 a.m. on April 20. He was arraigned and released.
Daniel John Wright, 61, of Bay Village Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, and driving without an inspection certificate. Wright was stopped by Deputy Jacob Kipler at 1:38 a.m. on April 21 on Lake Street Road, Le Roy. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Daniel R. Larocche, 45, of Buffalo, is charged with felony driving while under the influence of drugs. Laroche was stopped by State Police in the village of Oakfield at 7:38 p.m. on April 22. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Joseph J. Nelson, 38, of Medina, is charged with petit larceny. The incident was reported at 12:40 p.m. on April 11 in the town of Batavia. The State Police did not release further information.
Stephen D. McCarthy, 46, of Walworth, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny. McCarthy is accused of possessing a stolen credit card in the town of Alabama at 12:15 p.m. on March 11. He was arrested on April 19 by State Police. The State Police released no further information.
A 33-year-old Lockport woman has been charged with murder by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for allegedly causing the death of Michael Poole and then attempting to conceal Poole's body in a remote area of the town of Alabama.
Kathryn A. "Kat" Henry is charged with murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony, which carries a potential sentence of 15 years to 25 years in state prison.
The body of the 59-year-old Poole, from Olcott, was found in Alabama on March 19 during an investigation into a report of a missing person from Niagara County.
Henry is accused of conspiring with another person in the death of Poole. The other suspect is not yet named and has not yet been arrested, but charges are expected. The Sheriff's Office said there is no concern for public safety. The suspect is already in custody on another matter.
Henry is also charged with:
Henry was arraigned on Friday and ordered held without bail.
Press release:
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating an apparent homicide. The victim has been identified as Michael G. Poole, age 59, of the Olcott, NY area. The victim waslocated during the afternoon of March 19, 2024 in the Town of Alabama, New York during the investigation into a missing person out of Niagara County.
The preliminary investigation indicates that this appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the public. Anyone who may have information related to this incident is asked to contact the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at 585-343-5000. This investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released at this time.
Aaron J. Fix, 50, of Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd, resisting arrest, criminal mischief 4th, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Fix is accused of interfering with the arrest of another person during a traffic stop on East Main Street, Batavia. When a deputy and Batavia patrol officer attempted to take Fix into custody, Fix allegedly resisted arrest and in the process, the officer was injured and a piece of the officer's equipment was damaged. Fix was arraigned and released.
Robert P. Tomaszewski, 56, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. A Batavia patrol officer stopped Tomaszewski on March 4 on River Street. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Alicia M. Lyons, 44, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. Lyons is accused of being at Kwik Fill on Mach 1 after being banned from the property. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Jeanna M. Hattaway, 44, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. She is also charged with obstructing government administration 2nd, resisting arrest, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Hattaway was located on March 4 walking on Tracy Avenue, When Batavia police officers attempted to take her into custody on the warrant. Hattaway allegedly ran from police but was caught a short distance away. Hattaway was also allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine at the time of her arrest. Hattaway was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $3,000 bail, $6,000 bond, or $12,000 partially secured bond.
Charles A. Reichert, 41, of Batavia, is charged with riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Reichert was issued a ticket on Feb. 25 following a personal injury accident. Reichert is accused of riding on the sidewalk before riding into the path of a vehicle.
Naquan J. Shepherd, 24, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Shepherd was initially charged with harassment 2nd in January 2024. He was issued an appearance ticket. He is accused of failure to appear. Shepherd was arraigned and released.
Shane M. Ramos, 32, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Ramos is accused of shoving another person during a fight on Summit Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Monique E. Hampson, 31, of Batavia, was arrested on March 4 on a warrant. Hampson was initially charged on Dec. 29 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 2nd following a traffic stop on West Main Street. She is accused of failure to appear in court as ordered. Hampson was arraigned and released.
Jennifer N. Wilson, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, and resisting arrest. Wilson is accused of being inside a residence on Otis Street and then resisting arrest. She was arraigned and released.
Jonathan M. Falk, 25, of Batavia, was arrested on Feb. 26 on a warrant. He and another person allegedly stole merchandise from Seven-Eleven. Falk was initially charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. He is accused of failure to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned and released.
Bryce D. Klehn, 18, of Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Klehn is accused of throwing a lit firework on March 2 onto the porch of a residence on Montclair Avenue. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Erica M. Esten, 36, of Oakfield, is charged with harassment 2nd. Esten is accused of hitting another person in the face in a parking lot on East Main Street, Batavia, on March 2. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Starzha Monae Hilliard, 25, of Webster Manor Avenue, Rochester, is charged with falsifying business records 1st. Hilliard is accused of providing false personal information to deputies and corrections officers after being arrested on unrelated offenses and then signing official fingerprint documents under the false identity. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Tabatha Ann Torcello, 58, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. Torcello was charged after an investigation into an incident reported at 7:17 a.m. on Nov. 30. At that time, deputies responded to a report of a car in a ditch off Route 98 in Alexander. She was arrested recently and issued an appearance ticket.
George Samuel Luce, 54, of Gildden Road, Holly, is charged with strangulation 2nd and assault 3rd. Luce is accused of chocking and punching a woman during an incident at a hotel on Park Road, Batavia, at 10:42 a.m. on March 6.
Joseph Thomas Jablonski, 59, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, unregistered motor vehicle, and vehicle with improper license plates. Jablonski was stopped at 3:29 a.m. on March 7 on Clinton Street by Sgt. Mathew Clor. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Arnold Bryan Colopy, 66, of Knowlesville Road, Alabama, is charged with torturing or injuring animals/failure to provide substance. Colopy is accused of keeping two dogs in "deplorable" conditions. Following a report at 4:11 p.m. on March 7, Deputy Alexander Hardsall allegedly found two dogs without any food or water. Colopy was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Michael Andrew Hahn, 44, of Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operator, unregistered motor vehicle, and uninspected motor vehicle. Hahn was stopped by Deputy Carlos Ortiz Speed at 3:43 a.m. on March 4 on Buffalo Road, Bergen. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Jacqueline Raj Garrett, 44, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Garret is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart at 2:50 p.m. on March 8. She was released on an appearance ticket.
NOTE: This week, The Batavian is highlighting the annual Chamber of Commerce Award winners with a story daily through Friday. The awards dinner is Saturday evening at Batavia Downs. This is the final story in the series.
Bonnie Woodward has owned the Alabama Hotel for a relatively short time, but big news events have twice already taken center stage in the restaurant's business operations.
She bought the restaurant and bar from another Woodward, Danny, in 2019, and a few months later, COVID-19 forced her to close the tavern in the town of Alabama.
Then Winter Storm Elliott on Christmas Eve 2022 brought unexpected challenges that she and manager Joe Bradt met with such cheerful charity they made national news.
"(The attention) definitely shocked me," Bradt said. "In the days afterward, all the media attention and the phone calls and the messages from people shocked me."
The attention, Woodward said, warmed her heart.
"It really does," she said. "So many people were thankful for such a simple thing that anybody should have done, you know, just open up your home to people and take care of them while they're in trouble."
What Bradt did, with Woodward's blessing and support, was let stranded travelers stay in the restaurant, providing shelter, warmth and food while the blizzard made travel conditions potentially deadly. For those 48 hours, he was the sole member of the Alabama Hotel staff on-site to take care of more than 100 stranded travelers. He prepared meals (with guests and a local resident and neighboring business owner helping) and kept guests comfortable while the storm raged around them.
The Alabama Hotel -- along with hundreds of first responders, other generous residents in Genesee County, and countless other government workers and residents -- are the reason nobody died during the storm.
That dramatic role the restaurant played during the storm, along with its long history of providing charitable support to the community, is why the Alabama Hotel is the 2023 Business of the Year for Genesee County.
Winter Storm Elliott
Events started on Dec. 24 as Elliott rolled into Western New York and the Thruway Authority, with no apparent plan to ensure traveler safety, closed the I-90, forcing travelers unfamiliar with the area onto snow-covered, wind-swept two-lane roads during whiteout conditions. When travelers realized they wouldn't get far, they looked for shelter, and Google told them about the Alabama Hotel at the crossroads of Route 77 and Route 63. A hotel would be a good place to go, right?
The restaurant didn't open on Christmas Eve as planned to keep employees at home and safe during the storm. Bradt spent the morning getting things in order since the restaurant wouldn't reopen until Jan. 4.
When he was done, "I loaded up the Jeep with my Christmas dinner and Bonnie's Christmas dinner, which I was going to drop off at her house, and left here about 12:30. I didn't get a quarter mile up the road, and there was no visibility. The roads were completely covered, and there was already an accident right here," Bradt told The Batavian the day after the storm ended.
"I immediately turned around and said the safest place I can be is here for now. You know, I'll just wait it out here. No sooner did I put the key in the back door and unlock the back door than people were knocking on the front door. That didn't stop for two days."
The weather outside was vicious. Heavy, lake-effect snow blown around by 35 mph winds with 70 mph gusts. The roads were nowhere for anybody in any vehicle, let alone people unfamiliar with the area in sedans, minivans and luxury SUVs.
People came looking for a hotel. They found a friendly place with no proper guest rooms, not entirely prepared for this level of hospitality, but willing to provide shelter from the storm.
Once first responders learned the Alabama Hotel provided a warming shelter, they started shuttling stranded motorists there.
As many as 140 people passed through the restaurant over two days, with 120 staying the night on Christmas Eve.
Was it stressful?
"I don't know if stressful is the word for it," Bradt said. "I think, at times, it was overwhelming. You know, I spent some time at the bottom of the basement stairs, whether on the phone with Bonnie or with my wife or chef Swimline, getting advice from him and just crying it out, you know. I'm gonna take a few minutes for myself to figure it out. Where are we at? what's our next step? What are we doing now? You know? It wasn't just a blizzard, right? It was a blizzard in the middle of Christmas."
History
The Alabama Hotel was once a key stagecoach stop between Buffalo and Rochester. It was built in 1844, and at one time, the second floor was an actual hotel. It was always a place that served meals and libations, but Woodward doesn't know when the hotel ceased being a hotel.
It has always been a community hub in the town of Alabama. At one time, it was the main meeting hall and the courthouse, as well as a venue for weddings. It's still a place where locals gather for drinks and camaraderie, even while the restaurant attracts patrons from throughout WNY.
"It's like Cheers," Woodward said. "They're really friendly, and when strangers come, they'll bring them into their fold, and they'll talk to them, and they feel comfortable. People like that."
Earl Woodward purchased the Alabama Hotel in 1956. His wife was Agness, known to friends and family as Bunny.
Earl had cancer and wanted to make sure he left behind something that could provide for and shelter his family. After he passed, Bunny, her children, and her mother, Nannie, lived upstairs in the former hotel and Bunny and Nannie ran the business.
Earl and Bunny's son Mike -- Bonnie's husband, who passed away in July -- ran the business next. Patrick Woodward ran the business from 1990 until he passed away in 2000. Danny, his son and Bonnie's nephew, ran the hotel for the next 29 years.
Bonnie bought the restaurant in 2019 to keep it in the Woodward family, though her experience didn't extend much past washing dishes in the kitchen as a youngster.
"Most of the employees are employees I inherited with the restaurant," Woodward said. "They took me under their wing and taught me the business."
Shortly after she took over, Josh Swimline approached her about a job. He already had a successful food truck but was looking for a chef's job as well.
"He's done a marvelous job in the kitchen," Woodward said.
The other thing that happened shortly after she took over the business, besides the storm, was COVID-19. Without the community's support and people buying take-out meals, the restaurant might not have survived the shutdown.
Then she hired Bradt as her general manager, just months before Winter Storm Elliott. They had known each other for years because both have been frequent volunteers in the community -- youth sports, the Lion's Club, and just about any volunteer effort in the community, they would both be there helping out.
"We both had the same goal all the time," Bradt said. "Who can we help? How can we help? So deciding to come here and work with Bonnie was easy."
To the uninitiated, the location of the Alabama Hotel might seem rather isolated for a restaurant to be as popular and as successful as it has been for all these years. Bradt said it comes down to the food.
"I'm surprised by the amount of people, with the amount of good food in Buffalo, who come this way," Bradt said. "I'm surprised at the number of people that come this way versus going that way."
Woodward said the restaurant's fame has mostly spread by word of mouth.
"People say, 'We've always heard about this place, and I wanted to just stop and see what it was like,'" Woodward said. "During the summer, a lot of people would walk the refuge (the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge) and birdwatch and all that other stuff, and then they would stop here for lunch or dinner."
Good Food and Friendly Ambiance
The restaurant is also a popular destination for bikers in the summer and snowmobilers (when there is snow) in the winter.
The Alabama Hotel has always been known for its fish fries, chicken and biscuits, and it's also taken on a reputation far and wide for its salad bar, Wednesday night pizza night, prime rib on Thursdays, and the swamp burger, which is a hamburger with cajun seasoning, mushrooms, onions, and American cheese.
The fish fry, Bradt said, remains something special and also illustrates the care they put into meal preparation.
"We've have half a dozen suppliers, Bradt said. "We will stop at no end to find the best quality fish and the rest of the ingredients. We've tried different things, and we go with quality. Quality might cost us a little bit more, but quality is our number one goal."
The publicity from Winter Storm Elliott has helped business, too. Woodward said business is up more than 60 percent since the storm. Bradt said he gets stopped by customers in the restaurant regularly to let him know they heard about what he and the restaurant did to help out travelers.
And on Saturday comes one of the county's most prestigious honors, Business of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce, and Woodward and Bradt are both a little surprised by it. They're also honored because, to them, it doesn't just represent that single 48-hour event. It represents what the Alabama Hotel has meant to the community for so many decades and that through turmoil and change, it's still a popular place for food and friendship.
Because of the awards ceremony at Batavia Downs, the restaurant will be closed on Saturday. Bonnie Woodward booked six tables so 48 people could attend, including nearly all of the employees and "diehard" customers, as well as members of the Woodward family.
"It's really important to us to make sure that the employees feel included in this," Bradt said. "It's more than just the blizzard, you know. Without our employees and our staff and the people who continue to come through those doors every day, whether it's to grab a quick burger or have a drink, the doors wouldn't be open."
Previously: Alabama has its own Christmas story to tell, and stranded travelers aren't 'home alone'
These are photos taken on Judge Road in Alabama on late Wednesday afternoon.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service