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Bergen

Law and Order: Bergen brothers arrested after Probation Department visit

By Howard B. Owens

John Neil Leisten, 33, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, was arrested on a bench warrant related to a second-degree menacing charge. Leisten was taken into custody by the Probation Department on a warrant out of Town of Alabama Court. He was jailed on $750 cash bail or $1,500 bond.

Daniel James Leisten, 42, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with failure to obey support order. Leisten was arrested in connection with a Probation Department visit to his home to speak with his brother. He was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Two local scholars earn distinction at Clarkson University

By Billie Owens

Two local students were named Presidential Scholars for the Spring 2013 semester at Clarkson University:

Andrew Lichtenthal, of Batavia, a sophomore majoring in Aeronautical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Kaley Johnson, of Bergen, a senior majoring in Engineering and Management.

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

Clarkson University, in Potsdam, offers 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.

Scouts take on local projects in preparation for annual jamboree

By Howard B. Owens

Photos and article submitted by Alex Hansen.

Next month, 70 Boy Scouts from the local Iroquois Trail Council will be converging with over 50,000 other scouts and leaders from around the world at the National Boy Scout 2013 Jamboree. This will be the first Jamboree to be held at the Bechtel Summit Reserve, a new world-class facility in West Virginia.

Separated into two troops of about 35 boys each, the scouts and adult volunteers of the Iroquois Trail Council performed service projects on Saturday, June 8th. Troop A worked on projects at the Bergen Swamps, and Troop B worked at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Basom. The goals of the day of service were to give back to the community with a focus on improving local outdoor facilities, and to help the boys get to know one another better.

In order to go to the Jamboree, the boys have been saving and earning funds to pay their own way for their trip of a lifetime. This day of service was the last opportunity to seek sponsors, with half going to pay for Jamboree expenses, and the other half going to benefit local veterans organizations.

Top photo: Dylan Scroger, 17, of Batavia retrieves a plastic bag from the swamp.

Below: Chris Neal, 12, of Batavia picks up a discarded soda can

Alex Hansen, Iroquois Jamboree Contingent correspondent, is a Life Scout in Troop 6069 in Batavia, and a student in the class of 2016 at Notre Dame High School.

Photos: 2013 Bergen Parade

By Howard B. Owens

Bergen held its annual parade today. The parade ended at Hickory Park, where there is a community picnic. Bergen is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.


GCEDC announces approval on four projects with a promise of 22 new jobs

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved four projects at its June board meeting. They total approximately $2 million in investments as well as the retention of 91 jobs and the creation of 22 new jobs.

“All of the projects being considered by the board are investments in infrastructure which means the companies seeking benefits intend to be here for the long term,” said Steve Hyde, GCEDC president and CEO. “Companies typically do not invest in facilities and infrastructure without long-term plans so it is great to see this commitment to our region.”

Mega Properties, Inc., (Koolatron) is a Canadian company that manufactures, markets and distributes various portable thermoelectric cooler parts and components. The company is proposing to invest $775,000 in its operations that would retain 11 jobs and create six new jobs. Because the company is seeking more than $100,000 in incentives – in this case $190,000 – a public hearing must be scheduled.

Imagination Industries is seeking to build a 7,015-square-foot facility at 8240 Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen. The multiuse facility will house an indoor firing range, training center, gunsmith services and a laser engraving business. The company plans to invest nearly $400,000 that would create 10 new jobs.  The project is allowable under state retail restrictions as the purpose is to make available services which would not be, but for the project, “reasonably accessible” to residents of the municipality where the project is located.  

The company is seeking a sales tax exemption of $19,970, a mortgage tax exemption of $3,750 and a property tax abatement of $63,195. The Board found that the project meets the goods and services retail clause in order to approve the application.

Reinhart Enterprises operates a 25,720-square-foot multi-commercial tenant facility on Liberty Street in Batavia. Due to flooding this past year, 4500 square feet of space was vacated. The company is looking to improve its facility and is planning a $206,000 capital investment for drainage and parking lot improvements to enhance the property for current and prospective office and corporate tenants. The company is seeking a sales tax exemption of $9,888. The investment would create three new jobs and retain 80.

Jackson Square LLC, the former Cars Warehouse which was built around 1880 in the area of the city known as Jackson Square, is proposing to convert the former structure into a mixed-use commercial and residential site. The ground floor will have flex office/light industrial and four new market rate apartments on the second and third floors. 

The City of Batavia is the current owner of building and will transfer the title to the Batavia Development Corporation for sale to Jackson Square LLC. The company is seeking a sales tax exemption of $24,816 and a mortgage tax exemption of $2,994 contingent upon Jackson Square LLC purchasing the building.

Person reportedly injured in car vs. deer accident on the 490

By Howard B. Owens

A car as reportedly struck a deer in the westbound lane of the I-490 near mile marker .06 and injuries are reported.

Le Roy fire and Bergen fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 7:20 a.m.: Minor injuries at most.

UPDATE 7:21 a.m.: Fire apparatus response cancelled. Le Roy Ambulance can handle. Only bruising from airbags reported.

ATV rider says he was struck by hit-and-run driver on Swamp Road, Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

An ATV driver reports that a pickup truck struck his vehicle in the area of Swamp Road, Bergen, and took off.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS were initially dispatched because it was believed the rider suffered a minor injury after his ATV rolled, however, the rider went to the Bergen Fire Hall and declined medical treatment, so the Bergen assignment is back in service.

A deputy is in the area looking for the truck.

Law and Order: State Street resident accused of letting dog run at large

By Howard B. Owens

Rhonda L. Reisman, 40, of 105 State St., is charged with dog running at large. Batavia PD received a complaint of a dog running at large on State Street. Reisman was identified as the owner.

Heather E. Schramm, 33, of 48 South Main St., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Schramm is accused of sending a threatening message to another person.

Arron Lee Zimblis, 49, of 114 Vine St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, failure to stop, unsafe movement of a stopped motor vehicle and failure to yield right of way to an emergency vehicle. Officer Jamie Givens allegedly observed Zimblis commit traffic infractions Wednesday after receiving a report of an intoxicated person leaving a residence.

Daniel S. Anderson, 37, of 239 S. Swan St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Anderson was arrested Friday following an investigation into a prior complaint. He was ordered held pending a court appearance today.

Billy Joe Johnson, 35, of 3910 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Johnson was arrested following an investigation into an alleged incident reported at 7:02 a.m., Sunday, at a location on State Street.

Shawn Allen Bush, 43, of Alleghany Road, Pembroke, is charged with two counts harassment, 2nd. Bush allegedly threatened to harm his ex-girlfriend and son while in an intoxicated condition.

Brian Russell Wilson, 24, of Back Street, Pembroke, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wilson was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop at 12:58 a.m. Sunday on Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Matthew Metehan Osmancikli, 20, of Lewiston Road, Basom, was also charged.

Anthony Mark Matla, 42, of Park Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Matla allegedly threated to harm another person Saturday during an argument at a residence on Pratt Road.

A 16-year-old resident of Warboys Road, Byron, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. The youth was allegedly found in possession of half a hydrocodone pill while at Byron-Bergen High School.

Jennifer L. Sprague, 30, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a child neglect charge out of Family Court. Sprague was arrested after a bit of an alleged confrontation with police at her residence. Deputy John Baiocco reports that Sprague slammed the door after he arrived at the residence and locked herself inside. The house was surrounded with the help of Batavia PD and following some negotiations, Baiocco was able to arrest Sprague.

Heather D. Stone, 18, of Ellwood Drive, Rochester, is charged with burglary, 3rd, and petit larceny. Stone was turned over to the Sheriff's Office after being released from the Monroe County Jail on an unrelated matter. A warrant had been issued in Town of Le Roy Court for Stone's arrest. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Person in blue pickup truck reportedly smashing mailboxes in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A person in a blue pickup truck was seen on Jericho Road, Bergen, smashing mailboxes.

The caller attempted to follow the truck, but it took off at a high rate of speed and the caller was not going to attempt to keep up with it.

It was last seen on Creamery Road.

Working structure fire on Hutchinson Street in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A working structure fire is reported on Hutchinson Street in Pavilion. Stafford, Bethany and Le Roy fire departments, along with York, are responding with Pavilion. Bergen is asked to fill in at the Le Roy Fire Hall. They are on the second floor at this point checking for extentions.

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: The fire is pretty well knocked down. The exact address is 6918 Hutchinson St. Two Rochester & Southern trains scheduled to run by soon are asked to slow it down. National Grid is called to the scene along with Salvation Army, the latter to provide refreshments.

UPDATE 12:19 a.m.: Interior crew reports no sign of fire extension on second floor, "must be in the attic." They are opening up the roof to vent the structure. "We can find no way into the attic from the second floor." Command reminds tankers not to park on the railroad.

UPDATE 12:22 a.m.: The city's Fast Team is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:24 a.m.: No response from Salvation Army, calling the Pavilion Auxiliary instead. "We're exiting the building. There's nothing we can do up here," says the fire chief regarding the interior crew.

UPDATE 12:28 a.m.: They cut a hole in the ceiling and reported seeing nothing, but a thermal camera shows fire and heat "in the eaves in the eastside." Subsequenty, fire "self-venting through the roof." Interior crews are exiting the house. "There's nothing we can do up here." Initially, flames were seen shooting out the back of the three-story house.

UPDATE 12:33 a.m.: A Mercy rig was called in by fire command for a firefighter, unknown injuries, now a second rig is called for a second patient, told to go Route 19 to Route 63, past the Pavilion Bank.

UPDATE 12:36 a.m.: All crew members are accounted for and out of the structure. They are trying to cool the attic in order to get a crew back up in there.

UPDATE 12:39 a.m.: The American Red Cross will likely be needed to respond, says the chief. Howard, at the scene, reports a small terrier-type of dog came running out of the house and was scooped up by a firefighter and handed over to its owner.

UPDATE 12:46 a.m.: The train company is contacted and asked to stop the trains scheduled to pass through on Hutchinson Street.

UPDATE 1:03 a.m.: The power company is there now and has shut off power to the house.

UPDATE 3:44 a.m.: Pavilion leaving the scene, all units back in service.

End of an era for Liberty Pumps as production stops for Model 101 pedestal sump pump

By Billie Owens

Friday, May 17, marked the end of an era for Liberty Pumps with the final model 101 pedestal sump pump being produced in its Bergen facility. The Model 101 is the last remaining pump from the company’s original product offering dating back to 1965.

“It’s pretty amazing that this product sustained a 48-year production life given the advancements and popularity of submersible pump technology” said Randall Waldron, vice president of Sales and Marketing.

“It is not often a product can sustain four decades of sales with very little changes to it. Sales volume for this model has simply dropped to the point where it is not viable as a production model any longer.”

As part of the ceremony commemorating the final production unit being built, Liberty staged a pump “funeral” complete with flowers, a few words from the President Charlie Cook and a procession through the manufacturing area where the last pump will eventually found its resting place in the Liberty Wall of Fame.

“We’re not shedding too many tears however,” Waldron said, “our aggressive product development and new innovative designs have helped put us on track for another record sales year.”

Photos: DWI drill for the juniors and seniors at Byron-Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

The junior and senior classes at Byron-Bergen saw today a bit of what it's like at a fatal DWI accident. Their prom is this weekend and officials, like at many local high schools, want to emphasize the message: don't drink and drive.

The Bergen and Byron fire departments participated in the drill along with Coroner Karen Lang, H.E. Turner Funeral Home and Deputy Chris Parker.

The DOA accident victim was played by Sara Donovan. Andrew Magin was the seriously injured victim and the alleged drunken driver was Lucas DeValder.

HS Principal Aaron Johnson

Deputy Chief Doug Van Slyke

Law and Order: Le Roy resident accused of stealing from a relative

By Howard B. Owens

Chantal M. Lord, 32, of 82 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with two counts of grand larceny, 4th, and two counts of petit larceny. Lord was charged following a Le Roy PD investigation into missing money from a relative's bank account. Lord is accused of using the relative's debit card on two separate occasions without permission to make withdrawals from the relative's bank account. Lord was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Joshua M. Banick, 22, of 3 McIntosh St., Liverpool, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs and alcohol, failure to keep right and unsafe backing. Banick allegedly had a near head-on collision with a Batavia PD patrol vehicle in the area of 509 East Main St., Batavia, at 1:40 a.m., Thursday. Banick then allegedly backed up and through the 7-11 parking lot and over a concrete parking space bumper, coming to rest on the sidewalk near the front entrance. Banick was transported back to College Village following his arrest.

Morgan B. Mikolajczyk, 19, of 328 S. Jackson St., Batavia, was arrested at Tim Horton's on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court on an unreasonable noise charge.

Douglas G. Goodwin Jr., 22, of 130 Bank St., Batavia, turned himself in on an arrest warrant out of City Court related to an alleged parking violation for parking facing the wrong way.

Michael J. Carroll, 21, of 16 Harvester Ave., Batavia, was arrested by Monroe County Sheriff's and turned over to Batavia PD on a warrant out of City Court related to a charged of possession of alcohol under age 21.

Shaneeka R. Wroten, 20, of 16 Central Ave., rear, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Wroten was arrested on a warrant out of City Court related to the listed charges.

Samantha L. Tennity, 18, of 318 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Tennity is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General.

Jeremy M. Denton, 27, of Brockport, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unreasonable speed, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, driving left of pavement markings and moving from lane unsafely. Denton was allegedly involved in a single-car accident at 1:23 a.m., Friday, on Route 19, Bergen. He allegedly fled the scene was was later located. The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Jeffrey Louis Deats, 26, of Olyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Deats is accused of making threatening phone calls to a woman.

Destiny S. Milroy, 16, of Le Roy, is charged with assault, 3rd. Milroy was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 8:28 a.m., May 1, in the Town of Le Roy. No further details released.

Car crash with injuries on eastbound Thruway, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 382.1. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service is responding.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Due to the lack of available ambulances, Bergen's ambulance is requested to the scene. An ambulance from Caledonia is also called. A person at the scene reports three people are injured.

UPDATE 3:02 p.m.: The availability of Mercy Flight is checked. Also, an ambulance from Henrietta is called in.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m.: A responder reports there are six patients. A second ambulance out of Henrietta is requested. Mercy Flight out of Buffalo is available.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: Apparently Byron was also called, because Byron is requesting Clarendon is asked to stand by in Byron's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: A Mercy rig has become available and it is asked to stage at the Thruway entrance.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: Bergen is taking a patient to Rochester General Hospital. Stafford is asked to stand by in its own quarters.

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: Bethany's ambulance is requested. A crew from Darien is asked to assemble in quarters.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: A patient is being taken to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 3:34 p.m.: A chief on scene reports five patients have been removed from a vehicle. Henrietta is taking a patient to Strong.

UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: Caledonia is taking a victim to Strong.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: Stafford is told to stand down from its standby in quarters.

UPDATE 3:48 p.m.: Le Roy fire is packing up and preparing to return to service and the State Troopers are in charge of the scene.

GCEDC paving way for possible medical device technology company at Med-Tech

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County Economic Development Center is trying to get initial permitting completed on a proposed expansion of the Upstate Med-Tech Center on R. Stephen Hawley Drive just in case a specific medical device technology company wants to lease the space.

Mark Masse, VP of operations for GCEDC, told the County Planning Board on Thursday that a contractor has a potential leasee and is in negotiations now. Getting certain regulatory hurdles cleared now would help the process.

"If they reach an agreement, the potential leasee is working on a tight time frame," Masse said.

Masse doesn't know yet how many new jobs could be created by the company.

"They haven't gone before the board yet for incentives from us," Masse said. "More information would be available at that point in time, if it gets to that point."

The planning board unanimously approved site plan review for proposed 60,000-square-foot facility.

The board also unanimously approved a site plan review for a proposed 60,000-square-foot cold storage facility at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

Masse said GCEDC still owns the property the unnamed company is considering for the facility and sales negotiations are ongoing.

That company also has yet to come to the GCEDC board seeking incentives, so Masse doesn't know yet how many new jobs will be created by the facility.

In other board action:

  • Did not approve variances for applicants to operate a gift and hobby shop on Knowlesville Road, Alabama, and a country store on Tesnow Road, Alabama. The board encouraged the applicants to seek a zoning change with the town rather than get a variance to existing zoning.
  • Approved a special use permit for a home welding business at 7460 Alleghany Road, Alabama.
  • Declared that a proposed boarding house at 316 E. Main St., Batavia, isn't subject to county planning review. Owner Terry Platt is looking to convert a single-family home into a 12-room boarding house.
  • Approved subdivision and site plan review for 7,015-square-foot building to house a gun store, laser engraving business and indoor shooting range at 8240 Buffalo Road, Bergen.
  • Approved site plan review to rebuild a fabrication business at 1606 Broadway Road, Darien.
  • Approved, with modifications, a site plan review and area variance for a new Dollar General at 111 N. Main St., Oakfield.
  • Approved a site plan review for conversion of a former restaurant and apartment complex at 6309 Clinton Street Road, Stafford, into a four two-bedroom apartment and a single one-bedroom apartment complex.

Grass fire off westbound Route 490, Bergen is responding

By Billie Owens

A grass fire is reported off Route 490, westbound, near mile marker 2.7. Bergen firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: A grass truck from Le Roy, mutual aid, is called.

UPDATE 1:43 p.m.: The fire is out. Le Roy's response is cancelled.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: Bergen is back in service.

Bergen responding to accident on I-490

By Howard B. Owens

A car has gone off the roadway on I-490 near mile marker 4.5 in the eastbound lane.

One caller reports no injuries and another caller told a dispatcher "there must be injuries."

Bergen fire and Bergen's ambulance responding.

UPDATE 6:04 p.m.: Bergen transporting a patient to Strong.

Woman injured in ATV accident in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A woman was injured in an ATV accident near the old West Shore tracks near West Sweden Road, Bergen.

The woman suffered a head injury and is not alert.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:42 p.m.: A chief is out with the victim at West Shore and Route 19.

UPDATE 4:43 p.m.: Checking on Mercy Flight availability.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: Mercy Flight not required. The patient will be taken to Route 33 and Route 19 to meet up with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight now requested to Route 19 and Hunter Street.

UPDATE 4:55 p.m.: Patient transported by ground ambulance.

VP at GCC reportedly arrested in Rochester on public lewdness charge

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee Community College's second-highest ranking administrator, the interim VP for Academic Affairs, Michael Stoll, was reportedly arrested on Good Friday in Rochester for alleged public lewdness.

The 66-year-old resident of Warboys Road, Bergen, allegedly exposed himself to an undercover police officer at 11 a.m. while in a Rochester municipal park.

Our news partner WBTA learned of the arrest from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The charge against Stoll is a Class B misdemeanor.

Stoll posted $250 bail the same day.

The senior administrator began his career at GCC 42 years ago when the college first opened.

GCC spokesman Richard Ensman told WBTA that the college was not aware of Stoll’s arrest. Ensman said GCC is investigating.

Law and Order: Rochester duo jailed after allegedly shoplifting from Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Michael B. Collier, 50, of Gladstone Street, Rochester, and Stephen J. Wood, 60, of West Main Street, Rochester, are charged with petit larceny. Collier and Wood are accused of shoplifting at Walmart. Collier was arraigned and turned over to the Orlean's County Sheriff's Office on a warrant and Wood was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Brandon L. Doward, 28, of 125 Liberty St., lowor, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Doward is accused of pushing a woman to the ground during an argument. He was jailed on $750 bail.

Diana L. Bloom, 55, of 117 State St., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bloom is accused of shoplifting at the Hess Mart, corner of West Main and Oak streets, Batavia.

Harry J. Hall, 46, of Pine Tree Drive, Poughkeepsie, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes, plate obstructed and driver's view obstructed. Hall was allegedly found with 24 cartons of untaxed cigarettes during at traffic stop by Deputy Chris Parker at 10:01 a.m., Sunday, on Route 77, Pembroke.

Mitchell Scott Lindbergh, 44, of Chairfactory Road, Elma, is charged with stalking, 4th. Lindbergh is accused of repeated contact with a person in Darien he had been told to leave alone.

Brian Lee Smith, 51, of Colonial Blvd., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith is accused of violating an order of protection by contacting the protected party via e-mail.

Dennis Andrew O'Neal, 25,of Alleghany Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. O'Neal is accused of punching holes into the drywall of a house in Corfu.

Andrew Richard Bastiano, 26, of Sumner Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and operating with inadequate lights. Bastiano was stopped at 10:59 p.m., Friday, on Townline Road, Bergen, by Deputy Jason Saile.

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