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Bethany

House fire reported at Molasses Hill Road and Chaddock Road

By Billie Owens

A fire is reported at an unoccupied house (People live there, but they aren't home.) at 1137 Molasses Hill Road at the corner of Chaddock Road. Flames are showing. It has gone to a second alarm. Alexander Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from the Town of Batavia, Town of Batavia's FAST Team, Bethany, Darien and Pavilion. Darien is also asked to fill in at Alexander's fire hall.

UPDATE 6:23 p.m.: A first responder on scene reports the location is probably in Bethany's fire district.

UPDATE 6:26 p.m.: Attica is also called to respond. A propane tank is exposed to the fire.

UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: Stafford is asked to fill in at Bethany's fire hall. Command says the flames have gone through the second floor of the structure.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: All tankers responding are told to come to the scene via Silver Road. That's Silver Road to Chaddock.

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: Fire is out. Overhauling. Wyoming Correctional Facility requested to provide inmates for assistance. Mercy medics on scene in case needed.

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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UPDATE: Two additional photos submitted by Glenn Adams.

Rollover accident reported on East Road, Bethany

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 10764 East Road, Bethany. There are believed to be no injuries, but a person is trapped on the passenger side. Bethany fire and medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: The patient was a sign off. The assignment is back in service.

One-vehicle rollover reported on Bethany Center Road

By Billie Owens

A one-car rollover accident is reported at 9662 Bethany Center Road. The car landed on its roof, but the driver is safely out. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medic #2 are responding.

Teenage sex abuser given three years in state prison

By Howard B. Owens

A teenage child sex abuser will spend three years in prison following his sentencing in County Court on Tuesday.

Storm U. Lang, 18, entered guilty pleas in July to two counts of sexual abuse, 1st, and a count of sexual abuse, 2nd.

Lang was sexually involved with three different victims on separate occasions when he was 17 years old. He was arrested for subjecting a 7-year-old to sexual contact in the Town of Alabama in October. In November, he also subjected a 12-year-old child to sexual contact in the Town of Alabama and a 5-year-old child to sexual contact in the Town of Bethany.

Lang will be on post-release supervision for 10 years once he's served his three years in state prison.

Driver in fatal Bethany crash enters guilty plea to vehicular manslaughter

By Howard B. Owens
   Hannah Dibble

The driver in an accident in Bethany in February that claimed the life of an 18-year-old Genesee Community College student entered a guilty plea in County Court this morning to one count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter and DWI with a plea deal that caps her sentence to six months in county jail and five years on probation.

Hannah C. Dibble, 22, of Corfu, will also lose her driver's license and any vehicle that she might drive will be required to have an interlock ignition device.

After going through a series of alcohol-rehabilitation treatments, Dibble was scheduled to appear in court this morning with her attorney Benjamin Bonarigo on a hearing for motions to suppress some evidence in the case, but when the case was called, ADA Will Zickl told Noonan a plea deal had been reached in the case.

Dibble was at the wheel of a 1997 Chevrolet Geo on Feb. 21 when it crossed Route 20 at Molasses Hill Road, Bethany, and was struck by a semi-truck.

There were four passengers in her car at the time, including Alyson D. Krzanak, 18, of Corfu, who died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Suffering serious physical injuries in the collision Feb. 21 were James Scherer, 21, Brandon Danser, 22, and Felecia J. Fazzio, 20.

Bonarigo informed the court that Dibble remains in in-patient treatment and will enter a halfway house shortly after the first of the year.

The terms of the sentence are known as "shock probation," giving a defendant a taste of jail and five years of rules to follow and monitoring after release.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23.

After the case was adjourned, Judge Robert C. Noonan told Dibble, "I'm happy to see the recent report (on her progress), especially after the stumble you took early on, so keep on the right track."

Crash with unknown injuries reported at Route 63 and Mayne Road, Bethany

By Billie Owens

An accident with unknown injuries is reported on Route 63 at Mayne Road. Bethany and Stafford fire departments are called to respond along with Mercy medics. The call came through OnStar, the vehicle's emergency alerting system; no other calls received or other information available.

UPDATE 7:23 a.m.: Law enforcement at the scene reports being unable to locate the vehicle.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: Medics are told to stage in the area of Little Canada Road while law enforcement combs the area for the purported accident victim.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: OnStar received an accident notifcation, but could not provide dispatch with a vehicle description or other information. Since the vehicle has not been found, Bethany and Stafford and the other responders are back in service.

Bethany man sentenced on child assault charge

By Howard B. Owens

A 25-year-old Bethany man who was charged in January with reckless assault of a child and later accepted a plea deal was sentenced in County Court on Tuesday to one-and-a-third to four years in prison.

Anthony Dibble entered his guilty plea six weeks ago to attempted assault on a child in the second degree.

Dibble was accused of causing a brain injury to a 2-year-old female.

The child was said to be recovering from her injuries at the time of Dibble's initial arrest, said ADA Will Zickl at the time.

Dibble is the child's biological father, Zickl said; however, the child lives with her mother, who is not a Genesee County resident.

The parents are not married, Zickl said.

By mutual agreement, the toddler was staying with Dibble on an overnight visit in August of 2014.

Live wire down on Francis Road, Bethany

By Billie Owens

A live wire is down in the roadway at 9732 Francis Road, Bethany. National Grid is notified. Bethany fire is responding. The location is between Paradise Road and Batavia-Bethany TL Road.

Photos: 2015 Run for the ACORNS

By Howard B. Owens

More than 200 runners and walkers were in County Park this morning for the annual Run for the ACORNS 5K and 10K races. Organizers were pleased with the Fall-perfect weather.

Hannah Dibble given permission to enter Horizon House

By Howard B. Owens

At the request of her attorney, Judge Robert C. Noonan today authorized in-patient alcohol treatment at Horizon House for 22-year-old Hannah C. Dibble, charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and other crimes stemming from a Feb. 21 accident that claimed the life of an 18-year-old GCC student.

The stay at Horizon House is part of a series of treatment steps Dibble is going through while the legal case against her continues to wind through the county's legal system.

Noonan informed the attorneys today that he mailed them his written decision on a number of pre-trial motions. The attorneys said they have not yet received the ruling, which wasn't available in court. The attorneys, along with Dibble, are scheduled back in court Oct. 20 for a hearing on any pending motions.

Attorney Ben Bonarigo asked Noonan to allow Dibble to stay at Horizon House until she is released by the facility, however long that takes. 

She's expected to enter the facility this afternoon.

On July 24, Dibble pled not guilty to an 11-count Grand Jury indictment that included: one count of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree; two counts of vehicular assault in the first degree; three counts of assault in the second degree; three counts of vehicular assault in the second degree; and two counts of DWI.

Corfu resident Alyson D. Krzanak, 18, was killed in the crash. James Scherer, 21, Brandon Danser, 22, and Felecia J. Fazzio, 20, all suffered serious physical injuries after the 1997 Chevrolet Geo that Dibble was driving crossed Route 20 at Molasses Hill Road, Bethany, and was struck by a semi-truck.

Hannah Dibble can live at home during outpatient treatment, Noonan rules, but no church on Sundays

By Howard B. Owens

From The Batavian's news partner, WBTA:

A young Pembroke woman, charged with manslaughter stemming from a fatal February accident in Bethany, will only be allowed to leave the home of her parents to attend outpatient rehab treatment.

Hannah Dibble, 22, appeared in Genesee County Court today asking permission to attend outpatient treatment and to attend church on Sunday morning.

Judge Robert Noonan allowed the outpatient treatment but denied permission for Dibble to attend church.

An evidence suppression hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 20th for lawyers to argue the admissibility of statements made by Dibble and others following the accident.

Dibble was driving the car in which 18-year-old Alyson Krzanak was killed and three others were seriously injured.

Dibble is accused of driving the car while intoxicated.

One-car accident with injuries reported on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, Mercy Flight dispatched

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident is reported in the 5400 block of Ellicott Street Road, Bethany. Bethany Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. The car is off the roadway. Mercy Flight is called to the scene. Alexander fire personnel will set up the landing zone and be the helicopter's ground contact.

UPDATE 8:11 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia has landed. The location is between Clapsaddle and Mayne roads.

UPDATE 8:19 a.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 8:31 a.m.: The transport via helicopter was done primarily as a precaution. The female driver fell asleep at the wheel. She suffered a cut on her head but was conscious and alert when help arrived.

Law and Order: Warrant suspect's call to 9-1-1 results in arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Kerri Lynn Forsberg, 43, of Fargo Road, Stafford, is charged with assault, 2nd. Forsberg was arrested on a warrant after she called 9-1-1 to report a disturbance. She was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Kristen M. Reilly, 18, of Bethany, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs. Reilly is accused of driving under the influence of marijuana. Reilly was arrested by State Police following a report of a one-vehicle accident on Mengs Road, Attica. Reilly allegedly suffered a knee injury and was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital where a drug enforcement officer conducted an interview. She was also charged with failure to keep right and speed not reasonable and prudent.

Xavier Melendez, 28, of Reading, Pa., was arrested as a fugitive after being stopped by State Police on Route 63, Pavilion, for allegedly speeding. Melendez was allegedly wanted in Reading for escape after allegedly fleeing from police officers during a traffic stop. He was jailed in Genesee County on $1,000 bail and extradition will be arranged.

A 17-year-old of Batavia is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. The youth was observed on surveillance video leaving a room at Batavia High School with an allegedly stolen laptop and power cable and was arrested by State Police. The laptop was returned to the school. The youth was also arrested by Batavia PD and charged with petit larceny.

Luis Alberto Sauceda, 35, of South Wayne Street, Phelps, is charged with confinement of companion animal in a vehicle. Sauceda allegedly left a Chihuahua puppy in a vehicle on Labor Day while his family was inside Darien Lake Theme Park. Deputies were alerted by Darien Lake security staff. Deputies Chris Parker and Andrew Hale responded, provided the puppy with appropriate care and the dog was then transported to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Beau Thomas Bressler, 28, of Big Treet Road, Pavilion, is charged with felony DWI (two prior convictions in previous 10 years), felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, failure to keep right, unlicensed operation. Bressler was stopped on Route 20, Bethany, at 10:37 p.m. Saturday by Deputy Matthew Fleming. Bressler was jailed on $5,000 bail.

William H. Swader, 66, of Cedar Street, Akron, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Swader was allegedly involved in a road rage incident at 3:45 p.m. Friday on West Main Street, Batavia.

A 17-year-old resident of Walnut Street, Batavia, (name redacted by Batavia PD) is charged with trespass. The youth allegedly went onto a property posted with no trespressing signs and went onto the front and back porches and looked through the windows at the side of the residence.

Ashley A. Goodenow, 24, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Goodenow allegedly stole $50 from her employer.

Lori A. Brightenfield, 55, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Brightenfield allegedly entered the residence of her ex-boyfriend on Thorpe Street without permission and remained after being advised to leave. Brightenfield was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Eugene L. Sumeriski, 36, of Olyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and disobeying traffic control device. Sumeriski was stopped at 1:34 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Office Darryle Streeter after allegedly being observed driving at a high rate of speed.

Tiffany Ann Reed, 21, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Reed allegedly violated a stay away order of protection She was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Tammy L. Plesczynski, 38, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Plesczynski was arrested on a warrant by parole officers and turned over to Batavia PD. He was jailed without bail.

Joshua S. Martaus, 32, no permanent address, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest. Martaus is accused of shoplifting from Tops and trying to steal $64.29 in merchandise. Martaus was located by Deputy Chris Parker and Officer Frank Klimjack at a local restaurant and allegedly resisted arrest. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Austin C. Durham, 20, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Durham is accused of assisting another person in stealing 30 packs of beer from Tops.

Elijah J. Richardson, 18, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with owning an unlicensed dog. Richardson was allegedly found walking an unlicensed dog on MacArthur Drive.

Misty Dawn Brabon, 35, of Marshall Road, Lyndonville, is charged with petit larceny. Barbon allegedly stole $168.28 in merchandise from Walmart.

Amanda Rose McDonald, 33, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. McDonald is accused of stealing $88.44 in merchandise from Walmart.

A 16-year-old resident of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth allegedly threatened a woman.

Veronica Mabel Blackwood, 26, of Sterling Place, Brooklyn, is charged with petit larceny. Blackwood allegedly stole $25.09 in merchandise from Walmart.

Lauren S. Murphy, 19, of West Buffalo Street, Warsaw, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol under age 21. Murphy was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident at 4:25 a.m. Sept. 13 on Vernon Avenue, Batavia.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia (name redacted by Batavia PD) was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. He was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Nathaniel L. Beglinger, 24, of Peaviner Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Beglinger was allegedly involved in a one-car property damage accident at 2:20 a.m. Sept. 13 on Vernon Avenue, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Jennifer Lyn Stack, 29, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stack is accused of stealing the beverage Red Bull from a local store.

Driver in fatal crash out of jail pending placement in new rehab program

By Howard B. Owens
  Hannah Dibble

The woman accused of driving drunk, leading to a fatal collision in Bethany in February, has successfully completed a round of alcohol dependence treatment, her attorney told Judge Robert C. Noonan in County Court this morning.

Attorney Benjamin Bonarigo asked Noonan to release Hannah Dibble under supervision of Genesee Justice for a couple of days while she awaits placement in another treatment program.

Assistant District Attorney William Zickl said the people were willing to go along with that request.

Noonan was less sanguine.

"I apparently have more misgivings than the people," Noonan said. "Given the short time she was on RUS when she had a very serious violation, at least given the circumstances of the case, I was inclined to keep her in jail for a couple of days until a bed-to-bed transfer to Horizon was available."

Dibble will be allowed to stay at her parents' house until admitted to Horizon, but Noonan warned her that it was a 24/7 house arrest.

"If you are even on your front lawn and you are seen, you will go back to jail," Noonan said.

He told the attorneys, "I hope this doesn't result in a violation because it would be an indication she is not a candidate for anything other than long-term incarceration (if convicted)."

Bonarigo said the other members of the Dibble household have agreed to have no alcohol in the home while Hannah Dibble is staying at the residence.

In July, a Genesee County Grand Jury handed down an 11-count indictment on Dibble, including counts of manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular assault in the first degree, three counts of assault in the second degree, three counts of vehicular assault in the second degree, and two counts of DWI.

Her friend, Alyson D. Krzanak, 18, of Corfu, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Suffering serious physical injuries in the collision Feb. 21 were James Scherer, 21, Brandon Danser, 22, and Felecia J. Fazzio, 20.

The time in rehab has given Dibble great insights, Bonarigo said. He said she and her family wanted to see her continue in-patient treatment because she's made good progress.

"She's making significant strides in treatment and we hope to see her continue in that direction," Bonarigo said.

Semi flips on its roof, driver is trapped inside with minor injuries at Route 63 and Fargo Road

By Billie Owens

(Photos by Howard Owens.)

A tractor-trailer flipped over and landed on its roof at the S curve on Route 63 at Fargo Road in Little Canada. The driver is trapped inside but reports only minor injuries. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene. Bethany and Stafford fire and Mercy medics are responding. There are wires down in the roadway.

UPDATE 2:58 a.m.: The driver somehow managed to extricate himself and was sitting on the guard rail when the first firefighters arrived. He was loaded into an ambulance and is not seriously hurt. He was hauling Chiquita bananas.

UPDATE 3:17 a.m.: A deputy was first on scene, coming across the accident while on patrol. He and a passerby helped the driver crawl from the cab of the truck. The driver was conscious and alert.

Law and Order: Teen accused of assaulting corrections officer

By Howard B. Owens

Terrance Lee Falk, 17, of Woodsmeadow Lane, Brighton, is charged with third-degree assault and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Falk allegedly engaged in a physical struggle with a corrections officer at the Genesee County Jail leading to an injury to the officer.

William John Velky, 34, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, following too closely, passing on right and moving from lane unsafely. Velky was stopped at 5:08 p.m. Monday on Chapel Street, Elba, by Deputy James Diehl following a complaint of an erratic driver.

Cassandra Y. Dauber, 32, of Lock Haven, PA, Cindy L. Dauber, 58, and David T. Suzenski, 57, both from Phoenixville, Pa., are charged with trespass for allegedly entering Rolling Hills Asylum on Bethany Center Road without permission.

Andrew Charles Webster, 22, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny. Webster is accused of shoplifting from Walmart. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Photo: Barn, Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

For a long time, I wanted to take a picture of this barn, but for years, there was a yellow delivery truck parked in front of it that kind of didn't fit the ambiance. This summer, it was gone and the setting today seemed pretty nice.

House fire in Village of Attica prompts response from Alexander and Bethany

By Billie Owens

A house fire is reported at 31 East Ave. in the Village of Attica. Alexander Fire Department is called to provide mutual aid to Attica in fighting the blaze, along with Bethany for rehab. The location is between Prospect Street and Putnam Place.

UPDATE 5:08 a.m.: Fire out. Checking for extensions. Bethany can go back in service.

Photos: Sculpture in Bethany headed to Burning Man

By Howard B. Owens

Donna Rae Sutherland sent in these photos of what she describes as a sculpture built off Transit Road, south of Route 63, Bethany, that will be transported tomorrow to Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.

Burning Man, established in 1986, is a month-long festival of art, radical self-expression, and radical self-reliance.

The location of the sculpture is Emerald Models, which we've written about before.

Three local fire departments asked to stand by in case needed to help busy Mercy medics

By Billie Owens

Bethany and Byron (fire, rescue, medical) personnel are asked to stand by in the Mercy Emergency Medical base facilities at 16 Bank St. in the City of Batavia in case they are needed. Bergen is asked to provide a crew to stage in its own quarters.

Medical responders are apparently stretched thin tonight with the Chris Brown concert in Darien, accidents and medical calls.

UPDATE: Orleans County has also been asked to send three ambulances to Darien Lake in case needed. The concert tonight is sold out. The most serious dispatch we've heard is for an unresponsive female, who was breathing, located at the Employee Entrance off Sumner Road.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: The majority of medical calls, according to dispatch, are for underage, highly intoxicated people. Medics tell UMMC that there are two more such individuals en route, and that thereafter such cases will be transported elsewhere. The implication is UMMC is overcrowded, though that wasn't stated.

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: An ambulance from Lancaster is requested to Darien Lake. An ambulance from Alden was dispatched earlier.  

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