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Bergen's Eric Hubbard promoted in NY Army National Guard

By Billie Owens

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Eric Hubbard, from Bergen and assigned to the 222nd Military Police Company, received a promotion to the rank of Private First Class.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state's executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York's Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.

GO ART! awards state grants for music, murals and more

By Billie Owens

On Tuesday GO ART! held a ceremony to award funds to recipients of the New York State Council on the Arts' Decentralization Regrant Program.

Below are the Genesee County recipients.

Reach Grants were awarded to:

  • Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble (Concert Season 2020 Mr. Mustard Beatles Cover Band Collaboration) -- $4,395
  • Genesee Symphony Orchestra ("Destinations") -- $4,650
  • Arc of Genesee Orleans (Film Festival and Art Show) -- $4,425
  • Holland Purchase Historical Society (Holland Land Office Museum Guest Speaker and Concert Series, Mystery Theater) -- $1,000
  • Elba Betterment Committee -- (EBC Music and More) -- $2,265
  • Woodward Memorial Library (Summer Arts Camp) -- $1,500
  • Genesee Chorale (2020 Series) -- $5,000
  • ACORNS (Music in the Park) -- $350
  • Gillam Grant Community Center (Cultural Connections) -- $4,993
  • Batavia Concert Band (2020 Concert Series) -- $5,000

The lone Spark Grant recipient is:

  • Judd Sunshine (Erie Canal Songwriting Project) -- $3,300

Ripple Grants were awarded to:

  • David Burke (12 Center St., Batavia, External Mural) -- $2,500
  • Bart Dentino ("The Spaces Between the Leaves") -- $2,500
  • Mandy Humphrey (Routes 19 & 5 Mural) -- $2,500
  • Eric Zwieg ("Slow Moving Grief") -- $2,500

All the awardees were grateful for the funding, which will help provide cultural and artistic programming to benefit the local community. It will also help create new works, and boost arts education for K-12 public school students.

Pauli Miano, a member of the Elba Betterment Committee, is delighted because the grant will allow her community to put on seven concerts in Elba's park this summer. Miano wrote the grant request along with another committee member, Kelly Dudley, who first suggested it.

The Elba concerts will feature area musicians, and there will be food and theme-related activities at each, most of which will be provided by local nonprofits, school groups, and businesses and restaurants.

Miano says all the bands have been booked and some other commitments have been made -- rock paintings ("Rock out with Bobby and the Pedestrians"), wine and cheese with Jimmie Leggs (jazz); and a car cruise. Shows start in June with The Corfu Pembroke Community Band (All- American theme) and run through August.

Top photo, from left: Theresa Kehl, education/decentralization grant coordinator for GO ART!; Jessica Torrey, GO ART! board president; Kelly Dudley and Pauli Miano, both of the Elba Betterment Committee.

Total of 28 GC students named to fall 2019 dean's list at RIT

By Billie Owens

The following local residents made the dean's list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the 2019 Fall Semester:

Nicholas Kelly, of Byron (14422), who is in the software engineering program.

Celia Mercovich, of Bergen (14416), who is in the physics program.

Erik Scharlau, of Alexander (14005), who is in the physician assistant program.

Nicholas Johnson, of Batavia (14020), who is in the computing and information technologies program.

Ava Vescovi, of Le Roy (14482), who is in the business administration-marketing program.

Bethany Zwolinski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the biomedical sciences program.

Sophia Zwolinski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Tyler Henry, of Bergen (14416), who is in the illustration program.

Taylor Schofield, of Pavilion (14525), who is in the biomedical engineering program.

Lauren Burke, of Bergen (14416), who is in the physician assistant program.

Amelia Pestillo, of Batavia (14020), who is in the management information systems program.

Maddi Howard, of Elba (14058), who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

Jessie Abrams, of Corfu (14036), who is in the medical illustration program.

Triton Adamski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the game design and development program.

Lucas Kohorst, of East Pembroke (14056), who is in the web and mobile computing program.

Bria Brade, of Batavia (14020), who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Sarah Nati, of Corfu (14036), who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Jeremy Boyle, of Batavia (14020), who is in the supply chain management program.

Melissa Mountain, of Batavia (14020), who is in the interior design program.

Bailey Russo, of Batavia (14020), who is in the game design and development program.

Ryan Missel, of Corfu (14036), who is in the computer science program.

Jay Lewis, of Batavia (14020), who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Kiera Gross, of East Bethany (14054), who is in the computational mathematics program.

Katelyn Hersee, of Batavia (14020), who is in the business administration-accounting program.

Chase Roth, of Alexander (14005), who is in the mobile app development program.

Ethan Stone, of Batavia (14020), who is in the computer engineering program.

Michelle Miller, of East Bethany (14054), who is in the industrial design program.

Allen Snyder, of Darien Center (14040), who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for dean's list if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the United States.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in Business, Computing, Engineering, Imaging Science, Liberal Arts, Sustainability, and Fine and Applied Arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

Barn fire reported on Sautell Road, Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

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A small barn has reportedly burned down at 5995 Sautell Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire with mutual aid from Byron and South Byron dispatched.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Elba fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11 p.m.: Photos submitted by Melissa Dilcher, who also called it in and alerted the residents of the property.

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Sentencing delayed for man who pled guilty in Amber Alert case

By Howard B. Owens

A man accused of taking a teenage girl across state lines was scheduled for sentencing in Genesee County Court today but when his appearance time came, he wasn't in court.

It turns out Guillermo Torres-Acevedo was confused about his sentencing agreement and didn't want to appear until he spoke with the attorney representing him in Federal Court.

He couldn't reach his attorney, Alexander J. Anzalone, a Federal public defender, who was away from his phone because he was in County Court waiting for Torres-Acevedo.

Once the confusion was cleared up, Torres-Acevedo was transported by a deputy from the jail to the courthouse.

Torres-Acevedo was not sentenced today because he has not been sentenced yet in Federal Court, where he's facing from 70 to 96 months in prison.

The 23-year-old Batavia resident, who entered a guilty plea in early December to rape in the second degree, apparently thought he couldn't be sentenced in County Court until after he was sentenced in Federal Court; however, that wasn't the actual plea agreement. His sentencing locally was delayed until after his originally scheduled appearance before a Federal judge but there was no promise that his sentencing would come after that appearance.

His local attorney, Thomas Burns, asked that sentencing for Torres-Acevedo be delayed not just because a locally imposed sentence could affect the upper end of the possible sentence in Federal Court, but also because there are documents he and Anzalone are trying to obtain that could impact the decisions of the judges in both jurisdictions on the defendant's possible sentence.

Burns said both attorneys recently became aware of information that indicated Torres-Acevedo was neglected and abused as a child in Puerto Rico.  Both attorneys are seeking time to obtain documentation from Puerto Rico that would substantiate this claim and that information could have a bearing on sentencing.

Judge Charles Zambito granted the request to delay sentencing to 9 a.m. April 20 but warned Torres-Acevedo that he wouldn't wait indefinitely for the documents to be produced or for a Federal judge to issue a sentence. Zambito said he could very well go ahead with sentencing in April even if the other issues haven't been resolved.

As a precaution, at the request of District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Zambito signed a "drag order," giving deputies permission to bring Torres-Acevedo to court by force if necessary on April 20. Burns didn't oppose the order but said that since today's initial refusal to appear was just a misunderstanding he was certain the drag order would be unnecessary. 

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Bergen Business and Civic Association honored seven stellar citizens on Saturday

By Virginia Kropf

Above, Mickey Hyde, left, and Charlie Cook, of Liberty Pumps.

BERGEN – The Bergen Business and Civic Association has put forth great effort to improve the quality of life within the Bergen community for many years. They also take the time and trouble to recognize those citizens of Bergen who donate their time and efforts to make Bergen a better place to live and work.

On Saturday, the BBCA sponsored a community recognition dinner at Batavia Country Club to honor those individuals who give above and beyond for the betterment of their community.

Honorees were Joe MacConnell, Marian Partridge, Sandy Partridge, Jennie Starowicz, Tom Williamson, Marty Dilcher, of Dilcher’s Excavating and Contracting, and Charlie Cook, of Liberty Pumps.

Mayor Anna Marie Barclay, president of BBCA, said it has been at least five years since the organization has publicly recognized its outstanding citizens. At a recent meeting, the membership decided it was time they paid tribute to those people who volunteer or do community service – sometimes quietly and other times when people are aware.

The committee accepted nominations and the honorees were selected.

Joe MacConnell was introduced by David Washburn. MacConnell has been a member of the Bergen Fire Department for more than 50 years and an avid supporter of all their functions. He is a school bus driver for Byron-Bergen Central School and is an advocate for the kids. He was overseer of Mount Rest Cemetery for many years. He is one of those people who, if you need a hand, he is there, Barclay said. She called him a good friend and a good neighbor.

Marian Partridge was introduced by former town supervisor Tom Cunningham. Partridge, 91, was a Home Economics teacher at Byron-Bergen. She is a member of the BBCA and the longest-standing member of the Triangle Club, having joined in the 1950s when it was formed as an offshoot of the YMCA. She started the library in Bergen and put the original monument in Hickory Park. She has been on the Village Planning Board for more than 20 years.

Sandy Partridge, who was presented her award by Anne Sapienza, works with Young Life, a youth organization from the Presbyterian Church. She regularly clears all the furniture out of her living room and makes dinner for up to 20 kids. She runs Food Link at her church, and arrives early to cook hot dogs for people as they wait in line.

Jennie Starowicz was recognized by Myrna List. Starowicz chaired Recycled Teens, a senior citizens group at the Catholic church. She was vice president of the Bergen Historical Society and has been involved in 4-H all her life. List, who like Starowicz comes from a farm family, said she has known Jennie all her life. Starowicz had eight sewing machines set up in her basement, where she invited girls to come in and work on their 4-H projects. She has been involved with the Genesee County Fair for 50 years. At one time she managed a 24-unit apartment house in Bergen, and although she only got paid for 15 hours a week, she spent much more time volunteering to do things for the residents.

Mayor Barclay chose to present Tom Williamson with his award. Several years ago when vandals stole or damaged all the bronze markers on veterans’ graves in Mount Rest Cemetery, Williamson replaced all the missing ones and cleaned and repaired the rest. While serving as the village’s code enforcement officer, if a resident had a problem, Williamson would go to their home after work and help them solve it. He has also been an active member of the American Legion.

Marty Dilcher, of Dilcher’s Excavating and Contracting, received his award from Karen Ely. Dilcher was honored for always helping people and businesses all over town. When a house next to the mayor’s home collapsed and dust covered the Barclay home, Dilcher came and gave them two books of car wash tickets. He loans golf carts free of charge for the Bergen Park Festival and other events.

Charlie Cook, of Liberty Pumps, was introduced by Mickey Hyde. Cook was praised for his community service and building a business that employs more than 250 people in Bergen. Cook stated, “I just do what I do.”

Sapienza, who is secretary of BBCA, said the recognition dinner was long overdue.

“We need to recognize people who contribute to our community,” she said.

Barclay said when she thinks of all the wonderful people in the community and all the wonderful things they do, she wishes they could honor them more often.

Each honored individual received a gift bag, and each one will have their name added to a plaque in the library building.

In addition to the recognition dinner, events which the BBCA supports in the community include the Bergen Park Festival for the past 26 years, and Children’s Easter Egg Hunt. They donate to community groups, such as Byron-Bergen Public Library, Mason’s Gift Basket Program, village Parks and Gillam Grant Community Center. They also publish the Bergen directory every two years.

There are three BBCA officers. In addition to Barclay and Sapienza, there's also Maria Rowland, who serves as treasurer.

The banquet committee for the recognition dinner was Maria Rowland, Myrna List, Connie Tiefel, Catherine Tater and Toby Cook.

Below, Tom Williamson and Bergen Mayor Anna Marie Barclay.

Below, Don Cunningham and Marian Partridge.

Below, Sandy Partridge, left, and Anne Sapienza.

Below, Karen Ely and Marty Dilcher, of Dilcher Excavating and Contracting.

Below, Myrna List, left, and Jennie Starowicz.

Below, Joe MacConnell, left, and David Washburn.

Below, Awards Dinner Committee, from left, Myrna List, Connie Tiefel, Katherine Tater, Maria Rowland and Toby Cook.

Law and Order: Corfu man arrested after domestic incident

By Billie Owens

Alexander Edward Seegar, 30, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree. He was arrested at 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 6 following the investigation of a domestic incident that occured at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. It is alleged that Seegar acted in a manner likely to be injurious to a child under age 17 and that he prevented a person from being able to leave the incident by restraining tham. Seegar was arraigned in Village of Corfu Court and released. He is due back there on March 2. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Thomas J. Wolcott, 35, of Buffalo Street, Bergen, is charged with second-degree harassment and obstruction. He was arrested after a disturbance at 7:10 a.m. Feb. 5 on Bank Street in Batavia. He was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and arraigned in Batavia City Court. He was then released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts.

Anthony Wade Travis, 56, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle without the owner's consent, and grand larceny in the third degree -- a Class D felony. He was arrested and arraigned in Le Roy Town Court on Feb. 7 for allegedly using a vehicle without permission at 7:07 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the 9300 block of South Street Road in Le Roy. Travis is due to return to Le Roy Town Court on Feb. 20. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

John Patrick Cummings, 39, Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- first offense; driving while intoxicated -- first offense; failure to use designated lane; failure to keep right (on a two-lane road); and failure to stop at a stop sign. Cummings was arrested at 1:37 a.m. on Feb. 5 on Ross Street in Batavia. Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis noticed a vehicle that was driving erratically and she stopped it. After an investigation, Cummings was arrested on the charges. He was issued multiple tickets and is due to be arraigned in Batavia City Court on Feb. 19. McGinnis was assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Jacob M. Paige, 19, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Paige was arrested after allegedly being found in the presence of a protected party at 8:11 a.m. on Feb. 4 on Bank Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Alec Roberts, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

53 local students named to fall 2019 Provost's List at GCC

By Billie Owens

A total of 248 students from Genesee Community College were named to Provost's List for fall 2019, including 53 who reside in Genesee County.

Students honored on the Provost's List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

Jacob Farnsworth of Alexander (14005)

Naomi LaDuke of Alexander (14005)

Morgan Woodhouse of Alexander (14005)

Jessica Lennon of Alexander (14005)

Julia Lennon of Alexander (14005)

Melanie Snyder of Basom (14013)

Catherine Bilodeau-Redeye of Basom (14013)

Elizabeth Rindell of Batavia (14020)

Mikala Phillips of Batavia (14020)

Elizabeth Grosskopf of Batavia (14020)

Andrew Lin of Batavia (14020)

Bernard Skalny of Batavia (14020)

Samuel Sallome of Batavia (14020)

Erik Kesler of Batavia (14020)

Justin Scott of Batavia (14020)

Brian Wheeler of Batavia (14020)

Janelle DiMartino of Batavia (14020)

Tammy Kingdollar of Batavia (14020)

Margaret Richardson of Batavia (14020)

Carolyn Logsdon of Batavia (14020)

Kyla Phillips of Batavia (14020)

Alexis Balduf of Batavia (14020)

Cassandra Dembik of Batavia (14020)

Robert Tripp of Batavia (14020)

Gabriella Rindell of Batavia (14020)

Janae Meister of Batavia (14020)

Bailey Gavenda of Batavia (14020)

Alexandria Tarbell of Corfu (14036)

Jeffrey Fischer of Corfu (14036)

Nicole Alvord of Darien Center (14040)

Lauren Carli of East Bethany (14054)

Brian Wlazlak of East Bethany (14054)

Angelique Newton of East Bethany (14054)

Kimberly McCullough of E Pembroke (14056)

Robert Stabler of Elba (14058)

Racheal Cook of Elba (14058)

Jamie Lippold of Oakfield (14125)

Shannon Pohl of Oakfield (14125)

Patrick Puccio of Stafford (14143)

Kathryn Long of Stafford (14143)

Kelly Kruppner of Bergen (14416)

Kristina Bird of Bergen (14416)

Anna Morrill of Bergen (14416)

Grace Morrill of Bergen (14416)

Siomara Caballero of Byron (14422)

John Boyle of Le Roy (14482)

Nicole Roth of Le Roy (14482)

Marshall Schultz of Le Roy (14482)

Jacob Eggleston of Le Roy (14482)

Morgan Luce of Le Roy (14482)

Jared Carlson of Le Roy (14482)

Cassandra Hirsch of Pavilion (14525)

Katelyn Barnes of Pavilion (14525)

Genesee Community College serves more than 5,000 students with more than 65 academic programs and certificates. Among the many options are the Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, Food Processing Technology, Theater Arts, and six different healthcare programs including the new Health Studies, A.S.

Each GCC student is assigned a success coach at the College's Student Success Center. The coach provides academic and career guidance from the first steps of the admissions process through to graduation or transferring credits to other institutions. The College's robust athletic program is housed in the state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena featuring a fieldhouse, fitness center, Human Performance Lab, press box, as well as coaches' offices and classrooms.

GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, a significant online program, and student housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and innovative technology inside and out of the classroom, SUNY GCC is known for being "high tech" and "high touch."

Law and Order: Pair of DWI arrests

By Billie Owens

Gerald Richard Soule Jr., 28, of Woodstock Lane, Brockport, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; speeding -- going more than 55 mph; and refusal to take a breath test. Soule was arrested after a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Bergen at 1:37 a.m. on Feb. 1. He was given traffic tickets and is to appear in Bergen Town Court on Feb. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Jordan Alejandro.

Merrill Phillip Anthony, 46, of Bernd Road, Pavilion, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; refusal to take a breath test; speed not reasonable and prudent; and failure to obey a traffic control device. At 2:23 a.m. on Jan. 25, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies received a call about a vehicle off the road in the 6900 block of Junction Road in the Town of Pavilion. Upon arrival, they found the driver and sole occupant, Anthony, attempting to drive his vehicle out of a ditch. Upon further investigation, Anthony was arrested on the charges. He is due in Pavilion Town Court on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Deputy Austin Heberlein.

Law and Order: South Pearl Street man accused of making bomb threat at Batavia gas station

By Billie Owens

Robert William Devos, 31, of South Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident in the second degree. On Jan. 26, Devos turned himself in at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on the pending charge. It stems from an incident that occurred at the Citgo Gas Station on Park Road in the Town of Batavia at 6:10 p.m. on Jan. 17. Devos allegedly reported to patrons and store staff that there was "an impending occurrence of an explosion in the store." Devos was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released with a ticket to appear in Town of Batavia Court on Feb. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by Deputy Jared Swimline.

Nanette Louise Kappus, 63, of Angling Road, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 or higher; DWI; and driving left of pavement markings. Following a traffic complaint, Kappus was arrested at 6:59 p.m. Jan. 26 on Angling Road in Corfu. She was issued traffic tickets and is due in Town of Pembroke Court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by David Moore.

Aaron W. Smith, 32, who resides in Oakfield, was arrested by Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Harding on Route 39 in the Town of Castile on Jan. 25. He is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. While on patrol, Harding allegedly witnessed a passenger in Smith's vehicle, which was in front of the deputy's car, throw an item out of the moving vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated near Swyers Road. Smith was found to have two active suspensions on his driver's license out of Town of Alabama Court, where he is due at a later date. Smith's passenger was issued a citation for littering on a highway.

Octavio M. Tardy, 54, of Woodside Drive, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. On Jan. 21 at 4:30 p.m. Tardy was arrested for allegedly stealing items from the Dollar General Store at 412 E. Main St. in Batavia. Tardy was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Tuesday (Jan. 28). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Tonya M. Weber-Jackson, 35, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On Jan. 20 at 7:35 p.m. Weber-Jackson was arrested for allegedly stealing items from the Dollar General Store at 412 E. Main St. in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.

Genesee County Democrats seek candidates for local elected offices

By Billie Owens

Press release:

If you are someone who is civic-minded, independent, ambitious, enjoy exploring creative solutions to problems, and want to make an impact in your community, we want to talk to you about running for local office.

If you are interested in getting involved politically in any capacity, please reach out to us at geneseenydemocrats@gmail.com or www.geneseedemocrats.net

The following local elected offices will be voted on this November.

  • Genesee County -- Sheriff, Treasurer, Family Court Judge, Coroner -- two positions

  • City of Batavia -- one City Council at Large -- unexpired term

  • Town of Alabama -- one Town Council -- unexpired term

  • Town of Alexander -- one Town Clerk -- unexpired term

  • Town of Batavia -- one Town Justice

  • Town of Bergen -- one Town Justice

  • Town of Byron -- one Town Justice

  • Town of Elba -- one Town Justice, one Town Council -- unexpired term

  • Town of Le Roy -- one Town Council -- unexpired term

  • Town of Oakfield -- Town Justice, one Town Supervisor -- unexpired term, 1 Town Council- unexpired term

  • Town of Pavilion -- Highway Superintendent -- unexpired term

Law and Order: Batavia man charged with three felony counts of possession of child sex acts

By Billie Owens

James E. Tripp, 58, of Batavia, is charged with three counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child, a Class E felony. The incident allegedly occurred Oct. 13, 2017 and he was arrested by NYS Police Troop A in Batavia on Jan. 21 and arraigned at 10:08 a.m. in Town of Batavia Court. He was issued an appearance ticket for a later date, unspecified, in Batavia Town Court.

Kyle A. Mancuso, 27, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: unlawful imprisonment; harassment in the second degree; and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. Mancuso was arrested Jan. 19 following an investigation of a domestic complaint that occurred that morning at 3:29 a.m. on Ellicott Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and was due there again today (Jan. 23). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Brian J. Miller, 38, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; criminal mischief; and criminal obstruction of breathing. Miller was arrested after a Jan. 12 domestic incident on Harvester Avenue. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court, released on his own recognizance, and is due back in court Jan. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts.

Johnathan Brice White, 27, of Buffalo Street, Bergen, is charged with falsifying business records in the first degree and criminal contempt in the second degree. On Jan. 23, White was arrested. It is alleged that White made a false entry into the business records at Genesee County Jail by using the personal identification number belonging to another inmate. It is also alleged that White's intention to defraud was to conceal his identity while violating an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket for Jan. 28 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Phillip P. Heale, 41, of Woodrow Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Heale was arrested Jan. 15. He is accused of violating an order of protection barring him from contacting the protected party at 11:27 p.m. Jan. 15 on Washington Avenue in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan.

Franklin Dean Cook, 37, of Ridge Road, Elba, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested Jan. 22 on an arrest warrant out of Elba Town Court that was issued Jan. 15. It is alleged that on Jan. 8 on Ridge Road in Elba that he violated a stay away order of protection. He was arraigned in Elba Town Court and is due back in court on Feb. 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Travis James Schultz, 31, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- first offense, and refusal to take breath test. Schultz was arrested following an investigation of a hit and run accident that occurred at 12:59 a.m. Jan. 19 on West Main Street in Batavia. Police located the suspected vehicle involved and arrested Schultz, who was released with appearance tickets. He is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 5. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis, assisted by Officer Sean Wilson.

Christopher M. Sims, 31, of Batavia, address not provided, was arrested by Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy William Asquith on Jan. 21 on Silver Lake Road in the Town of Perry. Sims was allegedly found to be operating his vehicle while the registration was suspended for an insurance lapse. He is charged with operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. Sims was released on an appearance ticket for Town of Perry Court and he is due there at a later date (unspecified).

Owner of The Firing Pin brings his big gun to rally in Virginia and draws lots of attention

By Howard B. Owens

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Brandon Lewis, owner of The Firing Pin in Bergen, didn't travel to Virginia this weekend to become a bit of a celebrity.

He just wanted to support fellow gun owners in a state facing potential gun laws as restrictive, or perhaps more so, than what has already been imposed on New Yorkers.

"In this day and age, we could never stand up against the government with all of their drones and tanks but this shows where we came from," Lewis said tonight during his drive back from Virginia.  "The government is us. The government is of the people and by the people and for the people and it's good to remind them of that, that there is a Second Amendment, which is a kind of check and balance."

Lewis brought with him his Barrett M82A1 rifle, a .50 caliber semi-automatic rifle, which is nearly five-feet long and weighs 29.7 pounds.

"I guess it's a certain eye-catching firearm and that was kind of the point," Lewis said. "If we're going to go, let's bring something we have and I know every time I bring it out to the shop, everybody drops what they're doing.  

"I didn't think it would be quite as popular as it was," Lewis added. "I thought I'd get some thumbs up and some high-fives but it got crazy at times."

As soon as one person asked to take a picture of Lewis, 10 more would join in, he said.

He's been featured in the Washington Post, New York Post, and the Virginia Mercury

Lewis said he made the trip for two reasons: One is gun owners in Virginia are facing a new restrictive gun law that appears to have support of the Virginia Legislature (Virginia is apparently dealing with the same kind of urban domination of rural counties that has beset New York) and there is also a law that would all but ban indoor ranges.

Lewis, of course, operates an indoor range.  

He said it's his understanding the law would either say indoor ranges need to be government-owned or that 90 percent of the customers would need to work for a government agency, such as police departments or the military, which, Lewis fears, would lead to range owners collecting data on users of their facilities that would then become data accessible by the government.

The rally was attended by an estimated 22,000 gun rights advocates and news reports indicate it was peaceful and without incident.

Lewis said he and his wife Anna-Marie were among the last to leave. As they were heading out of town, they listened to a public radio station that apparently has offices overlooking the public space where the rally was held. He said the announcers noted that the protest area was the cleanest they had ever seen it following a rally.

"We kind of took a Boy Scout attitude of 'leave no trace,' " Lewis said. "I don't know if that came from the organizers, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, or people just took it upon themselves but at the end, it was police-trash time and everybody picked up their garbage."

Photo: By Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury. Used with the permission of the Virginia Mercury.

Accident with minor injuries reported in Bergen

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported in Bergen at 7880 Clinton Street Road, east of Dublin Road. Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: Fire command asks for a flatbed tow and says to tell the operator a vehicle is completely over and behind a guard rail, so it will need to be lifted up and over it, or the guard rail will have to be taken down in order to access the vehicle for removal. A guy wire is down and a first responder reports a power outage in the vicinity. Traffic control is needed.

Bergen's Madeline Corcimiglia named to dean's list at Pensacola Christian College in Florida

By Billie Owens

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Madeline Corcimiglia, of Bergen, was named to the dean's list by Troy Shoemaker, Ph.D., president of Pensacola Christian College, for academic achievement during the 2019 fall semester.

This was a result of earning a semester grade-point average of 3.00 or higher.

Pensacola Christian College is a liberal arts college enrolling students from every state in the United States and from around the world. The College has an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students (undergraduate, graduate, and seminary) and offers a variety of programs of study.

Liberty Street man accused of stealing vehicle, leading deputies on pursuit that ended in Wheatland

By Billie Owens

A man who lives on Liberty Street in Batavia was arrested in the early morning hours Monday after a traffic stop in Bergen turned into a pursuit.

Edward George Ruckdeschel (inset photo), 57, was stopped by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies at 5:04 a.m. in the 7900 block of Clinton Street Road (Route 33).

He allegedly stole a vehicle from a residence in Orleans County. According to the Sheriff's Office, he led deputies on a vehicle pursuit, then a foot pursuit, which ended in the Town of Wheatland, Monroe County.

Ruckdeschel is being charged with: criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree -- a motor vehicle; second-degree obstruction of governmental administration; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree; unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; unregistered motor vehicle; failure to yield right of way when entering a roadway; no or inadequate head lamp; side windows non-transparent; and unauthorized stickers.

The defendant was issued appearance tickets and is due in Town of Bergen Court at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

The case was handled by Deputy Jordan Alejandro.

Bergen teen’s league bowling fundraiser benefits Arc’s GO TO Hub

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

BERGEN -- Jillian Menzie (third from left top photo) accomplished quite a feat last year, raising more than $4,000 for Arc of Genesee Orleans with the support of her fellow bowlers. Her goal this year was to raise more.

She didn’t disappoint, turning in $5,077 in cash and an additional $845 in gifts and gift cards. She did this with the help of league bowler Megan Jarkiewicz, who was able to accompany her on many of her fundraising trips through 11 towns in three counties.  

Three other Rose Garden bowlers helped raise an additional $327.80 in the effort: Landon Kent ($102.80); John Gabalski ($125) and his brother Hugh Gabalski ($100), bringing the grand total raised in cash to $5,404.80!

“Counting all the gifts, Jillian led the effort to collect over $6,240.00 for the Arc of Genesee Orleans,” Arc Community Relations coordinator Sandy Konfederath said.  “The funds have been targeted to help with technology needs and art program for our new GO TO Hub center at 64 Walnut Street, Batavia."

Jillian’s family has been raising money for Arc of Genesee Orleans since Jillian’s father Jerry was a youth bowler, and Jillian’s grandmother, Ellen Menzie, ran the Rose Garden’s Youth bowling league and was a Bowl-A-Thon volunteer. Jillian logged 43 hours of volunteer time collecting donations this fall and winter, ensuring a strong finish, as she gets set to tackle the last semester of her senior year at Byron-Bergen.   

At BBCS, Jillian is the Student Council president, National Honor Society president, and is a member of band, elite choir (Singing Silhouettes) and is in this year’s school musical, “School House Rock.” She played Varsity soccer and is a member of Varsity Club, Spanish Club, Alliance for Equality Club, attends school board meetings and is the school mascot.

Outside of school, Jillian is involved in the “Young Life” youth group, has a 190 bowling average and holds down a part-time job at McDonald’s. She intends to pursue a career in teaching or nursing and plans to continue volunteering and helping people throughout her life.

“Megan and I have been working together for a few years on this fundraiser,” Jillian said. “My hope is that she’ll carry iton in the years to come."

Besides bowling, Megan, a sixth-grader at BBCS, also plays soccer and basketball. 

Jillian wishes to thank the league bowlers who participated and the community and businesses who generously supported the event!

Accident reported on off-ramp of I-490

By Howard B. Owens

An accident with injuries is reported on the westbound off-ramp of the I-490 in Bergen.

Bergen fire along with the Bergen ambulance and Le Roy Ambulance Service dispatched.

The accident is not blocking.

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