byron

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced $2,220,000 in federal funding for the Village of Wyoming and $2,858,000 in federal funding for the Town of Byron. This $5,078,000 was awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Water and Waste Disposable Loans and Grants Program.

The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary waste disposal, and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
 
“Communities throughout all of Western New York deserve reliable access to clean drinking water,” Congressman Chris Collins said. “Constructing and maintaining water systems oftentimes are costly projects, but the Water and Waste Disposable Loan and Grant Program provides federal assistance to ensure rural communities, like the Town of Byron and Village of Wyoming, are still able to provide clean water for their residents. I’m proud to announce this $5,078,000 award and I know it will help residents of both communities grow stronger and healthier.”

The Town of Byron has been awarded a USDA Rural Development loan of $2,108,000 and a grant of $750,000, both of which will be used to address the lack of clean, accessible drinking water in the area. The Town of Byron intends to create Water District #8, a project which is estimated to cost $2,858,000, will extend public water service to 107 residential users in the town who currently do not have access to safe potable water.

“On behalf of the Town of Byron, myself, and residents of the affected area, we greatly appreciate the work that Congressman Collins has done on our behalf,” said Peter Yasses, Byron Town supervisor. “Most of the residents have had to haul drinking water in, and so this funding will address that issue and ensure we can provide adequate fire protection as well.”

The Village of Wyoming has been awarded a USDA Rural Development loan of $1,554,000 and a grant of $666,000 to assist with fund restorations and replacements to local water systems. The Village of Wyoming intends to address ongoing issues with on-site wastewater systems, which have been causing groundwater quality impairments within the Village’s public water supply.

This project, which is projected to cost $2,220,000, will provide a secondary source of water to 163 residential and commercial users and will ensure the Village’s water supply is preserved and protected.

“This is something our Village needed, as we have less than 500 village residents and only one water well,” said Nate Norton, Village of Wyoming mayor. “This USDA funding will allow us to redo our water system, which has been a priority of ours for years. This will have a significant and direct impact on the quality of life of for here in Wyoming and we thank the Congressman for his support. We look forward to improving our water systems in the near future.”

To learn more about the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, including eligibility requirements, please click here.

New York used to be the largest grower of beets in the nation, participants in today's Decision Makers Agricultural Tour, learned while visiting a processing facility in Byron.

Now we're number two behind Michigan, but most of the beets grown in the state that puts us in that position are grown in Genesee County.

As part of the tour, Mark Dewey, of Dewey Farms, talked about his company's processing facility and the beet industry.

The facility processes beets from 600 acres of farmland in the area, on five farms in Genesee County and two in Livingston County. There are no beets grown in New York outside of those counties.

This was the 28th annual ag tour sponsored by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

Most of the beets processed in Byron are handled for a U.K.-based company called Love Beets. 

Love Beets initially started selling beets in the United States by shipping them from Europe to a processing plant in New Jersey. When they learned about the Byron plant, which meets their mission-critical need for sorting by size, the company contracted with Dewey.

The plant processes beets year around. When the local growing season end here in the fall, beets are trucked in from the south through the winter. Dewey said they're working on getting more beets from Mexico for the spring and summer months.

Beets are pickled or canned or turned into juice. Some beets are organic. Others meet the dietary demands of Kosher.

Visitors were able to sample a variety of beet products, including a beet lemonade (really, it's good) that's sold at Tops.

The tour also included a stop by Oxbo International in Byron, where farm equipment is manufactured, and Vegetal, which grows sedum, a cactus-like plant that can be grown on roofs to help reduce energy costs (prior coverage).

NOTE: Oxbo asked that we not publish photos from inside the facility. First three photos are of Dewey Farms and below those is one of Christian Yunker, from CY Farms, which hosts Vegetal, at the Vegetal facility on Bank Street Road, Batavia.

UPDATE: Last photo is of John Easton, Oxbo employee, conducting a tour of the plant. Published with permission.

Charles S. Ganoung IV is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on March 25 in the 6300 block of Transit Road in the Town of Byron that Ganoung possessed an assault weapon. According to the indictment, it was a DPMS Panther Arms semiautomatic .223-caliber rifle, equipped with a telescoping stock, pistol grip, detachable high-capacity magazine, loaded with 28 live rounds, flash suppressor/muzzle break and a bayonet mount. In count two, he is accused of the same crime for also allegedly possessing a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The indictment says it was a large capacity .223-caliber magazine loaded with 28 live .223-caliber rounds.

Tawny L. Collazo is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 25 in the Town of Pembroke that Collazo drove a 2013 Dodge on Route 5 while in an intoxicated condition and while a child 15 years of age or less was a passenger. In count two, she is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony. In is alleged in count two that she had a BAC of .08 or more at the time with passenger age 15 or under. In count three, Collazzo is indicted for the crime of aggravated DWI as a Class E felony for allegedly driving while intoxicated while a second child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count four, she is again accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time with a second passenger age 15 or younger.

Michael J. Wojdyla is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on June 3 in the Town of Darien that Wjodyla drove a 2009 Chevrolet on Main Park Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

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Byron Fire Department will hold a Sportsman’s Raffle on Saturday, Sept. 30^th at Byron Fire Hall, 6357 Townline Road, Byron.

Doors open at noon, event is from 1 – 5 p.m., meal included with ticket.

Tickets ($20 each) for the event may be purchased from any member of our department.

Tickets may only be purchased by those 18 years of age and older.

Each ticket allows the holder entry on the day of the event, food (snacks & meal) and beverage, as well as a chance to win one of 15 prizes (refer to ticket itself).

Ticket holders do not need to be present to win; winners of firearms will be subject to federal background check. Event will also include a door prize, additional side raffles and pull tabs.

Proceeds benefit Byron Fire Department.

For more info contact Joe Wells 585-409-1270.

Russell Leonard Penepent, 54, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree menacing and endangering the welfare of a child. Penepent allegedly menaced a neighbor and his 5-year-old child with a firearm at 3:19 p.m. Sunday. He was jailed on $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

Lawrence A. Guy, 41, of Roosevelt Avenue, Batavia, is charged with torturing or injuring an animal, endangering the welfare of a child, and coercion, 2nd. Police alleged that during a domestic incident Guy punched the family dog several times and threw it down several stairs in the presence of children. He was ordered held on $10,000 bail.

Jacob J. Russell, 21, of Walkers Corners Road, Byron, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Russell was arrested on a warrant by members of the Local Drug Task Force. During the arrest, Russell was allegedly found in possession of heroin. He is also accused of giving a quantity of heroin to another person. He was jailed on $50,000 bail.

Daniel James Maus, 56, of Johnson Road, Bergen, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Maus was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop at 12:54 a.m. Saturday on Perry Road, Pavilion, by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Ryan Paul Isham, 26, of 66th Street, Niagara Falls, is charged with felony DWI, failure to yield right of way on left turn, and failure to yield right of way at a yield sign. Isham was arrested following an investigation into an accident reported at 12:55 a.m. Sunday on Route 98 in Elba by Deputy Ryan Young. Deputies responded to the accident and located a Dodge Ram pickup truck on its roof. Occupants of both vehicles were out of the vehicles. Isham was determined to be the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado. Isham was transported to UMMC for evaluation and released. All other occupants were treated and released at the scene. Additional charges are pending.

Miguel E. Alvarez, 22, of Maple Avenue, Batavian, and a 16-year-old resident of Trumbull Parkway are charged with petit larceny. At 10:20 p.m. Saturday, Batavia PD officers Arick Perkins and Christopher Lindsay attempted to speak with two suspicious males on West Main Street, Batavia. When approached, the subjects ran. They were later taken into custody and one of the subjects was allegedly found trying to conceal a 30-pack of beer and pizza in his pants that had been stolen from Tops.

Molly M. Smith, 45, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving while impaired by drugs. Smith was arrested following an investigation into a minor injury motor-vehicle accident at 5:12 p.m. Friday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Ronald P. Dixon, 38, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument. City PD responded to a report of a burglary in progress at 1:10 a.m. Friday on East Main Street, and located Dixon, who was wanted on a warrant. At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly found in possession of a needle and other drug paraphernalia. He was jailed on $2,000 bail on the warrant.

Michael J. Difalco, 29, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. Difalco allegedly sold property he knew to be stolen at Pawn King in the Town of Batavia. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Julio C. Morales Jr., 32, of Upton Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Morales was arrested on a theft of services charge in 2015 and allegedly never appeared in City Court on that charge. He was jailed on $250 bail.

Henry L. Banks, 47, of Ross Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a traffic charge.

A 17-year-old resident of Skye Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with attempted assault, 1st, harassment, 2nd, and obstructing governmental administration. Batavia PD responded to Burger King at 5:46 p.m. Aug. 28 for a reported disturbance. A person reportedly struck a vehicle. When police arrived, the suspect fled and was later apprehended.

Anthony A. Leone, 49, of Jackson Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for a trespass charge stemming from an incident on Ellicott Street reported at 4:25 p.m. Aug. 15.

Khala Linn Ray, 18, of Ridge Road, Gasport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and no headlamps. Ray was stopped after Officer Arick Perkins observed at 2003 Pontiac Vibe on Ross Street being driven without headlights at 1:55 a.m., Aug. 26. Ray's vehicle was stopped on Washington Avenue.

Tyler M. Hughson, 22, of Hawthorn Drive, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Hughson was stopped at 9:32 p.m. Sept. 1 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Rachell O. Soggs, 29, of South Swan Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear.

Christopher Steven Bump, 22, of Briarwood Terrace, Batavia, is charged with false personation. At 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 27, Officer Arick Perkins responded to Pearl Street, Batavia, for a report of a suspicious vehicle. When contacted, Bump allegedly provided the officer with a false name.

John R. Delara, 19, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Delara is accused of entering unsecured vehicles in a downtown parking lot at 10:15 a.m. Aug. 31 and attempting to steal items from the vehicles.

Tatiana C. Lugo, 22, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Taylor K. Hicks, 25, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hicks was stopped by State Police at 8:05 p.m. Sept. 7 on Genesee Street, Pembroke.

Jenna Josephite, 28, of Main Street, Batavia, and Shawn Hunter, 33, of Wakefield Street, Rochester, are charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd. Members of the Wyoming County Drug Task Force observed Josephite and Hunter allegedly sell a large quantity of suspected crack cocaine to a subject who had been under surveillance by the task force in the Warsaw Shopping Plaza in Warsaw. Josephite was jailed on $20,000 bail and Hunter was ordered held without bail.

Chad E. Alwardt, 37, of Byron, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Alwardt was arrested Tuesday by members of the Local Drug Task Force on a warrant. While being taken into custody he was allegedly found in possession of heroin. The nature of the warrant was not released. He is being held in the Genesee County Jail.

Lindsay Goins, 61, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident. He was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

An 18-year-old resident of Stittville is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol. The youth was arrested at 9:55 p.m. Wednesday at College Village. State Police did not release the defendant's name.

Two 18-year-old residents of Batavia are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youths were arrested Wednesday by State Police at a location on Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive, Batavia. State Police did not release the names of the defendants.

A car reportedly struck a building at Byron-Bergen Central School, 6917 W. Bergen Road. Byron Fire Department and medics are responding.

The second annual Trevor Mathiesen Vendor Blender will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at The Dibble Family Center in the City of Batavia. It is located at 4120 W. Main St.

Cost is $30 per vendor table.

Trevor was a 13-year-old boy who died suddenly Oct. 22 at Strong Memorial Hospital. He loved to play hockey and was a member of the Buffalo Stars. He enjoyed four-wheeling, riding dirt bikes and he spent many hours fishing at Godfrey's Pond in Bergen. Trevor loved the outdoors and all animals.

All proceeds from the Vendor Blender will go to Trevor's parents, Amy and John Mathiesen, to be donated to the organization of their choice. Last year, proceeds went to purchase two boats and a kayak for use at Godfrey's Pond.

Anyone who would like to donate a basket, gift card or an item, please contact Kellie Wade and she will come and pick it up.

If you are interested in being a vendor, please print the following information and mail it to Kellie Wade, 7250 Ivison Road, Byron, NY 14422.

For additional information, call Kellie at (585) 201-3489.

• Name
• Business
• Type of Merchandise
• Address
• City
• State
• Zip Code
• Telephone Number
• Email address

A man is unconscious after a tire exploded at Zuber Farms, 5633 Tower Hill Road. Byron Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Mercy Flight in Batavia is put on ground standby.

UPDATE 12 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled.

UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: The chief on scene says responders can continue in non-emergency mode to the structure east of the main building. A tire exploded off its rim, striking the victim.

The Byron Heritage Festival will take place all day on Saturday, July 29, at the park behind the Byron Fire Department on Route 262.

It starts with a Fishing Derby at Trestle Park for children age 12 and younger from 8 to 9 a.m. Sign-ins begin at 7:30. The Fishing Derby is sponsored by the Byron Kiwanis Club.

The 5K Run, sponsored by the Byron Rescue Squad, begins at 8:30, with registration starting at 7 a.m. Registration forms are available online at www.byronny.com or at the Byron Fire Hall.

A townwide garage sale starts at 9 and ends when sellers choose.

Chicken BBQ, also sponsored by Byron Kiwanis, starts at 4 and ends when sold out.

Live music will be featured from 4 to 9 p.m. Koko and The Moon Crickets perform. This entertainment is made possible from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with support of the governor and the State Legislature, and administered by GO ART!

The festival ends with fireworks.

Dwayne Bartholemau Spivey, 40, of Doran Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. At 10:45 a.m. Sunday on Lake Street Road, Le Roy, Le Roy PD, State Police and the Sheriff's Office were conducting a joint traffic checkpoint. Officers reported observing a vehicle driven by Spivey stop prior to the checkpoint, with Spivey exiting the driver's side and changing seats with the passenger, making the passenger the driver when the vehicle arrived at the checkpoint. Upon investigation by Deputy Chad Cummings and Deputy Chris Erion, Spivey was found to have 25 suspensions over the course of two decades. The other occupant, the passenger who became the driver, had a valid license. Spivey was jailed without bail.

Jesse Dean Parsons, 33, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with promoting prison contraband. Parsons is accused of entering the Genesee County Jail on an unrelated charge with a known banned item.

Press release:

On Saturday, July 29^th there will be a 5K race during the Byron Heritage Day Festival.

Registration is 7 – 8:15 a.m. at Byron Community Park behind the Byron Fire Hall. The registration fee is $15 if paid by July 24th. Registration is $20 on race day. Family and school teams welcome -- discounts available. This race is for ages 8 and older. Rain or shine.

Register online at https://register-this.com/?raceid=20170729BYRN or pick up registration forms at Gillett’s Hardware, located at the Four Corners in Byron -- 6330 Townline Road.

First 30 pre-registered participants receive free T-shirts. The 5K race benefits the Byron Rescue Squad.

For more information call Laura at 585-548-2245.

The All-Greater Rochester spring sports standouts were announced today and five Genesee County athletes made first team in their respective sports:

• Anthony Ray Jr., Batavia, Track and Field
• Brandon Burke, Byron-Bergen, Track and Field
• Kilian Lewis, Pembroke, Track and Field
• Kiaya Franklin, Batavia, Track and Field
• Casey Radka, Batavia, Baseball

For more information on the athletes and a list of honorable mentions in each league, visit the Democrat and Chronicle's website.

Dave Burke finished the mural on the back of the Byron-Bergen Public Library, dedicating it to Eileen Almquist, better known as "Tally."

Almquist was the director of the Byron-Bergen Public Library before she retired in 1993 and she was also the town historian for 21 years.

The Bergen Town Board approved the mural and gave Burke the idea of depicting a train, because it is a part of Bergen. 

Nancy Bailey, the manager of the Byron-Bergen Public Library, said when she walked in the building every morning the parking lot was boring. She originally just wanted flowers painted on the wall, but said she is really excited about the final product. 

Molly Ann Chatley, 20, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Chatley allegedly sent messages through Facebook to another person that were threatening in nature. 

Charlene Marie Poole, 46, of Donahue Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Poole is accused of shoplifting from Walmart. 

Mary Winifred McGowan, 49, of Terry Street, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driving left of the pavement markings. McGowan was stopped at 8:17 p.m. Wednesday on Terry Street, Byron, by Deputy Ryan Delong. 

Qumane James Santiago, 18, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal trespass. Santiago was allegedly trespassing at a residence on Main Road, Stafford, at 8:38 p.m. Friday.  

Adam W. Hildebrant, 26, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Hildebrant was allegedly found in possession of brass knuckles during a parole check.

Through Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s BRIDGE NY program, Genesee County received two grants to rebuild two local bridges in Pembroke and Byron.

According to the governor’s website, the state is making $200 million available in enhanced assistance for local governments to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts statewide.

The Pratt Road bridge over Tonawanda Creek in Pembroke was structurally red flagged and load posted for 5 tons.

Highway Superintendent Tim Hens said the bridge over Tonawanda Creek is one of the top bridges in terms of need for replacement.

“It’s not a high-volume road,” Hens said. “But it is a key connector.”

The bridge replacement will be $178,000, with 95 percent being federally funded. 

The Searles Road bridge over Spring Creek in Byron will also be replaced.

Hens said the capital project established would amount to $133,000 for the Searles Road bridge, with 95 percent being federally funded.

This fall they will go through the design process and both bridges should be ready for construction in 2018.

“By time the state executes their part of the grant, the clock starts ticking,” Hens said. “We have to have the bridge under construction in 18 months.”

The Byron-Bergen Public Library is seeking a Community Development Block Grant, with the hopes of making the library handicap accessible.

Don Cunningham, the Bergen town supervisor, said the project is estimated at a total of $267,630.

“There would be a matching portion on the town’s obligation,” Cunningham said. “The library is also looking at possibly getting Nioga grant support for the same project, but that has yet to be determined.”

Cunningham said the plan includes significant renovations to the bathrooms, access to the library and the library counter.

“This is a win-win situation for the town and us,” said Nancy Bailey, the library manager. “It will help not only handicap people, but also young people with children in strollers.”

Bailey said the grant is in the beginning stages, but she is optimistic that construction could start next fall.

“I’d love to have the ability for easier access to the library,” Bailey said. “Just changing the scope of that and redesigning the space to meet the needs of the community is a great thing.”

Bailey said if they don’t receive the grant this year, they will apply again.

“I’m excited, but apprehensive,” Bailey said. “I don’t think we have a plan B if we don’t get the grant, so that might be why.”

"Huckleberry" was last seen on North Bergen Road near Route 237. He is chipped and belongs with Cindy Matthews and Chris Oehler. Call Chris at (585) 315-2995 or Cindy at (585) 455-9377.

UPDATE: Huckleberry is home safe, thanks to an alert reader.

The Genesee County representatives for the American Legion Boys State of New York met on Thursday night in Le Roy, before they depart on June 25. 

The American Legion Boys State is a weeklong program that immerses high school youth in citizenship and leadership training. While at Boys State, they learn the practical aspects of government in New York and participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities under the guidance of counselors and Marines. 

This year, Boys State will be held at SUNY Morrisville.

Bryce Bordonaro, Ryan Driscoll and Thomas Mellon are representing Le Roy; Jacob Brower is representing Waterport; Ethan Fischer, John Kindig, Nathan Loria and Joseph Marchese are representing Batavia; John Igoe is representing Oakfield; Nathan Knickerbocker is representing Byron; and Tyler Wood is representing Corfu.

(Photos by Maria Pericozzi.)