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Family dealing with unexpected death of veteran who was overcoming post-war struggles

By Howard B. Owens

From WBTA:

A Batavia family is grieving while struggling with the expense of burying their son.

Jamie Carney, a veteran of two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, died in New Jersey on Saturday. He was 27.

The cause of the young man’s death remains a mystery.

“His goal this past weekend was to go to New York City for the first time in his life, see New York City, come home for Memorial Day to the Rubin family in Massachusetts where it was their son’s birthday. He was going to celebrate Memorial Day and the birthday with this little boy. He never made it back because he died in a hotel room,” said Paula Zirbel, a close friend of the family’s.

Zirbel said Jamie was being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, he was starting to build a life in Boston and he had dedicated his last 16 months caring for a special needs child -- whose birthday was approaching -- and recently began his undergrad work in Early Childhood Development. That’s what makes his unexpected death that much more heartbreaking.

“When your son goes to war, as Dave and Elizabeth had told me last night,” she said, “you fear that this phone call is going to come. Once he goes through two tours and he comes home and he’s not okay for a while, you still fear that this phone call will come. When this phone call came, the family was finally happy and content for Jamie.

"He came home for Easter and claimed how much he had found some peace and some love for this little boy and a direction of what he wanted to do and he was starting to heal. So, this was a time when this phone call came that the family was finally relaxed, they were finally at ease. When the call came it was at a time when they were naively thinking everything was going to be okay.”

Read more on WBTAi.com.

You can donate any amount at this link anonymously:http://www.gofundme.com/9idz30

Motorcycle crash on Hopkins Road

By Billie Owens

A motorcycle crash with unknown injuries is reported at 7129 Hopkins Road. Mercy Flight is on ground standby in Batavia; not available to fly except to Strong Memorial Hospital due to wind. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. A first responder says the rider is off the bike, standing up and holding his helmet.

UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: Mercy medics are responding non-emergency mode.

State Police investigating theft of little red Corvette

By Howard B. Owens

State Police say it disappeared much too fast -- a 1966 red Corvette was apparently stolen from the parking lot of Applebee's in Batavia at about 5 p.m., May 7.

The classic coupe has chrome side pipes, a black interior and is owned by a Wyoming County resident.

Anyone who is familiar with this vehicle or has information regarding this incident is asked to contact the State Police at (585) 344-3311.

Frost Ridge issues statement on Judge Noonan's order

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Town of Le Roy, NY (Town) has filed suit against Frost Ridge Campground LLC (Frost Ridge) alleging they are in violation of local zoning code. After initial arguments, Judge Robert C. Noonan has ordered Frost Ridge to temporarily suspend “amplified outdoor concerts and alcohol service” until the merits of the lawsuits can be fully addressed.

Of course, Frost Ridge has complied and will continue to comply with Judge Noonan’s Order. In the meantime, Frost Ridge remains open to all its camping guests, and will continue to seek alternative options and potential venues for its live music.

Again, we thank our guests for being patient, as we have had to be patient. We need to allow this process to be worked through. There may be a few bumps along the way, but everyone who knows us will realize that we work through issues to resolve them.

Open house and fundraiser to help pay for 'hippotherapy' for disabled children

By Billie Owens

Children with disabilities can benefit from hippotherapy. What's that? It's providing speech therapy and physical therapy using the movement of a horse.

From 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, there will be an open house and fundraiser to benefit ARC of Genesee County for hippotherapy. It will take place at Conrad Country Stables at 2638 Pearl St. (Route 33) just outside of Batavia.

There will be a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, children's games and refreshments.

Valerie Edwards is the director of the program, which is relatively new to Genesee County. It is called Equine Assisted Therapeutic Services LLC, located at 3389 Dodgeson Road, Alexander. Phone is 585-815-0327.

Law and Order: Neighbors in Alexander accused of fighting

By Howard B. Owens

Bradley Douglas Miller, 32, of Fullington Road, Attica, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Douglas was allegedly involved in a fight with a neighbor. Both parties suffered minor injuries.

Karen Marie Cummings, 45, of Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd. Cummings is accused of fighting with a neighbor. Both parties suffered injuries in the incident.

Richard S. Ishmael, 49, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear. Ishmael was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Wendy L. Henry, 29, of Central Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Henry was located at an address on Ellicott Street, Batavia. Henry was jailed on $150 bail.

Jeremiah P. Hackett, 27, of Taunton Place, Buffalo, is charged with DWI and failure to maintain lane. Hackett was arrested following an investigation by Officer Stephen Cronmiller reported at 2:19 a.m., Sunday. Hackett's vehicle reportedly struck a tree at 74 Oak St., Batavia.

John Sumlin III, 35, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unlicensed operator. Sumlin was stopped at 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Park Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona. Sumlin was jailed on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.

Jeffrey Mark Black, 49, of North Byron Road, Elba, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Black was stopped at 1:20 a.m. Sunday on Byron Holley Road, Byron, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Andrew DeMara Hewitt, 29, of Locust Drive, Hamlin, is charged with petit larceny. Hewitt was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in Town of Byron Court. Hewitt was arraigned and released.

Arrest warrant issued for man accused of strangulation in incident on West Main on Friday

By Howard B. Owens

Edward R. Loper, 26, of Batavia, is wanted by the Sheriff's Office in connection with an alleged strangulation during a domestic incident Friday morning at 4036 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Numerous patrols responded to the location Friday morning, but officers were unable to locate Loper and he remains at large.

Loper is described as 5' 8" tall and 170lbs. He has shaved or very short brown hair, small tattoos on both sides of his neck and a small teardrop tattoo under his right eye. 

The Department of Parole also holds a warrant for Loper for an alleged violation of parole. 

Loper was released from prison in July after being sentenced in August 2012 to one-to-four years on a third-degree burglary conviction.

Anyone with information regarding Mr. Loper’s whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (585) 343-5000.

Batavia girls, Le Roy boys pick up Section V titles in track

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia High School girls track team won the Section V Class B championship in a meet in Lyons on Saturday.

With 97.50 points, BHS topped Honeoye Falls-Lima at 82.50 and Wayne Central at 76 in a field with 14 teams competing.

Event winners include:

  • Marissa Dispenza, 100 meter hurdles, 15.87
  • Kaylee Cassidy, Alexis Kindig, Emma Eastridge and Claire Zickl, 4x800 relay, 10:02
  • Krystyn Mott, pole vault, 2.81m
  • Celia Flynn, shot put, 9.30m

Le Roy boys won the Class CC championship, with 94 points, topping Williamson Central at 88 and Wellsville at 85.

Event winners include:

  • Rubin Owens, high jump, 1.98m
  • Rubin Owens, long jump, 7.14m
  • Rubin Owens, triple jump, 14.75m

Three-car accident on River Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A three-car accident is reported at 3 River St. Injuries are believed to be minor. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:55 p.m.: Northbound traffic will be stopped at River and South Main Street.

Tanker with 500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia tipped over on Cockram Road at Route 237

By Billie Owens

A tanker with 500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia tipped over in the area of 6355 Cockram Road and Route 237. It is blocking the roadway. No indication of any spill at this time. It was being hauled by a tractor. Byron and South Byron fire units are on scene. Wind is west, southwest at 11 mph. County hazmat officials are notified.

UPDATE 8:11 a.m.: The county hazmat team is responding.

UPDATE 8:32 a.m.: Byron and South Byron fire police are requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: An engine from Clarendon Fire Department is requested to fill in at Byron's station.

The pin that broke, causing the accident. The ammonia was transferred from the tank that tipped over to two others owned by the same farm. The hazmat team was prepared in case there was a leak.

Donations wanted -- except clothes -- for garage sale to benefit shelter animals

By Billie Owens

Donations are needed for a garage sale in Corfu June 12 - 14 to benefit the Genesee County Animal Shelter. It will take place on those dates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 60 E. Main St., Corfu.

Any donations are welcome EXCEPT CLOTHING. Drop off donations at the county Animal Shelter anytime, and if the shelter is closed, leave them by the front door under the roof. The county shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia.

Source of gas smell at Main and Jackson a mystery so far this morning

By Howard B. Owens

City fire officials and National Fuel and National Grid workers are trying to unravel a mystery this morning -- what's the source of a gasoline smell emanating from the ground behind the old Genesee Bank building.

A business owner on Main Street reported the gas odor this morning. It was filling the air in that business and in the basement of 90 Main St., but not the surrounding building basements.

Meters have also detected the substance around where a new utility pole was installed last week.

One possible explanation is that decades ago -- before there would have been permits required -- there was a fuel tank in the area. The odor could be coming from residue of an old tank. But that's just speculation at this point.

UPDATE: It turns out a maintenance worker had spilled a small amount of gasoline in the area  a day or two before and that caused the odor to build up in the building.

Crash with minor injuries reported in front of Town of Batavia Fire Station #1

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported in front of Town of Batavia Fire Department's Station #1, located at Park and Lewiston roads. Town fire is responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: A second ambulance has been called to the scene. The first medic is transporting a victim to UMMC.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: The town's assignment to Lewiston Road is back in service.

Photos: Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament 2014

By Howard B. Owens

Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament has returned to Batavia this weekend. The annual event started Friday and runs through the day. Most of the games are being played on the three fields at MacArthur Park, but there were games today at Dwyer Stadium (including a night game) and one this morning at Williams Park. Teams from throughout the region participate in the tournament.

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Photos: Nik Wallenda performs for the first time at Darien Lake Theme Park

By Howard B. Owens

Nik Wallenda, "The King of the Highwire," performed at Darien Lake for the first time on a 750-foot-long wire stretched over one of the lakes.

He performed with is wife, Erendira, and Nick Slimick and Alec Bryant, who were making their professional debut. Slimick and Bryant are graduates of a high school in Sarasota, Fla., where they studied circus performing.

Wallenda drove a specially equipped motorcycle across the wire, which was 150 feet above the water at its apex, with Erendira and either Nick or Alec on a trapeze bar attached below. At the apex, Wallanda performed a handstand on the bike seat on one trip. On another he stood on the seat. On other trips, Erendira and the two young men performed stunts. The final trip was just Nik and Erendira and they performed barrel rolls at the far end of the wire.

This isn't the show Wallenda will be performing at Darien Lake this summer.

The show this summer will be in the Galaxy Theater (to be renamed the Nik Wallenda Theater). Shows start June 24 and run through Sept. 1. The 10-week run will feature two performances every day (4 p.m. and 7 p.m.) except Monday.

The hour-long show will feature top aerialists and stunt performers, Wallenda said. The finale will feature the Wallenda Family Pyramid on the Wire, untethered high above the stage.

During the show's run, performers will entertain park guests with wandering performances throughout the park, called "pop up performances." There will also be a regular interactive 20-minute show on the Gazebo Stage.

Wallenda said one reason he agreed to perform at Darien Lake is he that felt the need to give back to Western New York after being so warmly embraced during the run-up to his highwire walk over Niagara Falls.

"When I got off that cable in Niagara Falls, I said there will always be a piece of my heart that is in this region," Wallenda said. "This community has embraced me. It's been amazing. I get goosebumps.

"I think this shows my commitment to this region, to Western New York and Toronto," Wallenda said. "The community has been so good to me."

More pictures after the jump:

Child trapped in swing at Austin Park

By Howard B. Owens

A child is trapped in a swing at Austin Park.

No word on how he is trapped. No report of any injury.

City fire is responding and a dispatcher says, "you may need tools to disassemble the swing set."

UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: The 9-year-old child was in a toddler swing and became stuck. No tools were needed to release him.

Top Items on Batavia's List

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