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A car has reportedly hit a tree at East Road and Raymond Road, Bethany.

The driver was able to get out of the vehicle and has a complaint of chest pain.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS responding.

In five years of covering concerts at Frostridge, there are four shows I'm sure I'll always remember: Marty Stuart in 2011, which was my introduction to Jam at the Ridge, The Farm, featuring Alexander native Krista Marie, the time Blackjack Billy upstaged the night's headliner, Blackberry Smoke, that same year, and finally, Blackjack Billy's return to Le Roy last night.

Over his 28 years in law enforcement, Kris Kautz has helped a lot of people and that's the best part of the job.

Mostly, it's about helping the victims of crime, mainly by finding the people who stole from them or harmed them or a member of their families.

But sometimes it's helping those same criminals get their lives turned around.

Now he's moving on to a job he thinks will be just as gratifying -- a security aide for Batavia City Schools.

"It’s a more laid-back position, obviously, but I’m looking forward to it, working with the kids and the school seems awesome," said Kautz, whose last day with the Sheriff's Office was Friday.

Kautz started with the department in 1988, three years after earning an associate degree in criminal justice at GCC.

"After I graduated, I realized to get those jobs, I would need to take exams," Kautz said. "That’s a good theory, I think. Do well on the exam and you should be a good candidate. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a very good test taker. I took many exams before I actually got a phone call. It was almost three full years before I got a job offer, and then, of course, I got three decent job offers within a month-and-a-half. Luckily, this job was one of them and it was really the job I was hoping for, so I accepted the position as a deputy."

Kautz was on road patrol for five years when he was promoted to investigator, the job he wanted all along.

He said he's been fortunate to stay in that position for 23 years, but now it's time to move on.

"You do reach a burnout factor," Kautz said. "I've probably reached the end of my shelf life. I'm not embarrassed to say that. I like to think I’ve done my part and it’s time to move on."

Leaving now isn't without its drawbacks. There are unsolved cases Kautz wishes were closed during his time in the investigator's office

"Those are kind of a sore spot," Kautz said. "Sometimes you know who you think did it, and you’re really close to solving it, but you just don’t have that extra piece."

Among the unsolved cases, Kautz worked are on is the Fickel murder.

"We worked long and hard on that for many, many months after that happened and unfortunately, the leads kind of started drying out and obvious we had another case load we needed to attend to," Kautz said. "It doesn’t get the attention we wish it would. We don’t have the luxury of having a quote-unquote 'homicide division' or 'burglary task force' or a 'sex crimes team.' "

Kautz leaves with cases pending, but there is a person of interest and some solid evidence that might one day hold up in court, but it will be up to other investigators to uncover the piece of evidence that wraps things up.

"We have been actively pursuing it and we’re just kind of crossing our fingers that maybe that one little piece of the puzzle we don’t have yet might show up one of these days," Kautz said.

(If you have information that might assist in the case, contact the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.)

Much has changed over 23 years in how investigators do their jobs. There is new technology and new techniques, but the basics remain the same -- gather evidence, safeguard it, ask questions, test answers and build a case.

"I'm not saying it (new technology) has made it easier to solve cases, but it's really solidified convictions," Kautz said. "When there is a fingerprint or DNA evidence at a crime scene, you can't dispute it. You have a hard time explaining that away when you're a defendant."

Too many cases, just by the nature of things, go unsolved, but when they are solved, it's a great feeling, he said, especially when you see the satisfaction on the faces of the victims.

"It’s all about the victims because when you come home after working a hard day, working an honest job, and come home and your door is kicked in and your TV and your family heirlooms are gone, you’re furious and it's devastating," Kautz said. "That’s where the cops come in and do their best to solve it and it’s very, very, very gratifying when you do solve it for them."

And sometimes, solving a crime helps another person improve their own lives, and that's a good feeling, too, Kautz said.

"People always say this is the best job in the world and I really think that," Kautz said. "You really have a chance to make a difference for people, in people’s lives, not only making it right for the victims but also maybe contributing to the improvement of some of the defendants' lives. Maybe getting arrested can often be a positive thing in the long run for somebody. They know they screwed up. They know they’ve got problems. They know they’ve got things they need to address. Sometimes getting arrested will be that last little push they need to really get their lives straightened out."

Photo: Kris Kautz with his family, wife Susan, and daughters Kelsey, Adeline and Ella.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Florida Georgia Line concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday:

Beth A. Kulp, 34, of York Street, Honeoye Falls, is charged with third-degree assault after allegedly punching another patron, knocking that patron unconscious.

(name redacted upon request) , 26, of Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park, is charged with second-degree harassment and resisting arrest after allegedly pushing and kicking a deputy and then resisting arrest. xxxx was arraigned in Darien Court and put in jail in lieu of $500 bail.

Tyler A. Becker, 18, of Schader Road, Wayland, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting in the concert venue parking lot. Becker was arraigned in Darien Court and put in jail in lieu of $250 bail.

Mhari F, Fairgrieve, 19, of Highland Avenue, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, is charged with two counts of second-degree harassment after allegedly hitting and scratching two Live Nation employees. Fairgrieve was arraigned in Darien Court and released on $250 bail.

Cesare C. Caponcini, 21, of Rykert Street, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly hitting and scratching a Live Nation employee. Caponcini was arraigned in Darien Court and released on $250 bail.

Briana M. Szczech, 25, of Scenic Circle, Rochester, is charged with second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting and biting Live Nation security officers.

Robert J. Turnquist, 26, of Davis Road, Westfalls, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass after allegedly climbing a fence into the VIP area and refusing to leave.

Samuel J. Eggleston, 20, of Delamater Road, Angola, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief after allegedly punching the rear window out of a car.

David C. Avayou, 51, of Buffalo Street, Hamburg, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Steven J. Nichy, 18, of Jessica Lane, Depew, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass after allegedly climbing the fence to gain entry to the venue.

Janelle M. Clemmer, 34, of Zimmerman Street, North Tonawanda, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Jeffrey S. Masters, 55, of Zimmerman Street, North Tonawanda, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Chadd T. Lee, 23, of Doran Lane, Lima, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Mariah K. Winsor, 20, of Route 6, Kane, Pa., is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Jordan E. Demartino, 19, of Darlington Drive, Derby, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Sarah L. Lenegan, 21, of Lorfield Drive, Snyder, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

A two-car accident is reported in the area of 112 W. Main St., Batavia.

One person suffered a possible neck injury.

City fre and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:52 a.m.: One patient transported to UMMC for evaluation.

A motor vehicle accident is reported on Route 77 at Water Street, Corfu.

There was airbag deployment and one person has minor leg injuries.

The seven people in the other car are likely signoffs.

Traffic is heavy on Route 77 because of a concert at Darien Lake tonight, Florida Georgia Line, is sold out.

A man who was found early this morning unconscious next to a compacting roller has died, according to State Police.

Investigators suspect he died due to medical issues since there are no signs of trauma on his body, though head trauma, which wasn't visible, has not been ruled out.

The cause of death is pending a report from a medical examiner, said James O'Callahan, public information officer for Troop A.

The man was found next to the piece of heavy construction equipment around 5:30 a.m. on Route 20 about 1/4 of a mile west of Harlow Road.

The equipment was upside down next to a flatbed truck trailer that had apparently transported it to that location. The truck was parked on the north shoulder, the westbound lane, pointed eastbound.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital while CPR was performed.

Darien fire and Darien ambulance responded.

There is no further information available at this time pending completion of State Police reports. The State Police will release the name and any additional information when the reports are complete.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: The driver has been identified as Aaron L. Wellman, age 40.

(Initial Report)

A truck fire is reported on Clay Street, Le Roy, in front of the Le Roy Fire Hall.

Le Roy Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 10:13 p.m.: It's a recycling truck and there is smoke showing. Engine requested from a mutual aid department in Livingston County.

UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: Clay Street closed in both directions.

Press release:

Diana Kastenbaum, the Democratic candidate for NY-27, received a major endorsement this week by New York State’s 2.5-million member AFL-CIO. The endorsement came at the State Federation’s 33rd Constitutional Convention in New York City.

Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, said, “The decisions made in Washington DC impact the lives and economic well-being of all working men and women which is why the Labor Movement will do everything within our power to elect candidates committed to putting the interests of working people first.”

Kastenbaum said, “I am deeply honored and grateful for the endorsement of New York State’s AFL-CIO. My husband and I have been proud members of two unions in the AFL-CIO family. American workers are the backbone of our country and I intend to fight for working families to see that we achieve our goals of growing our economy with more jobs, a livable wage, healthcare and education.”

From Chris Hayward, Le Roy chief of police:

The Le Roy Police Department is accepting resumes for two full-time police officer positions. Candidates must already have civil service status or be on the Genesee County list to be considered. Interested parties must submit a resume to the Le Roy Police Department at 3 W. Main St., Le Roy NY 14482. ATTN: Chief Christopher Hayward. Resumes will be accepted until the close of business Friday, Sept. 16, 2016.

The driver of a car that hit a porch at Sumner and Alleghany roads in Darien is reportedly unconscious.

Darien fire and Darien ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:02 p.m.: Appears to be non-serious injuries.

Photo and story via our news partner, WBTA.

R. Stephen Hawley, who was 94 years old, died early this morning in Arizona.

Before his retirement, he had been elected to 10 terms in the New York State Assembly, serving 20 years beginning in 1973.

Hawley, a World War II Veteran, was a 1939 graduate of Batavia High School and at the beginning of his political career owned a family farm in Batavia.

Since 2006, Hawley’s son Steven M. Hawley has taken up his mantle of local representation in the State Assembly.

The Batavia Blue Devils hosted the Batavia Bulldawgs (Minis, ages 8-9) at Van Detta Stadium on Wednesday night for the annual scrimmage between the two teams.

Jericka, lead singer for the local Christian band Salt of Earth, sings during the opening of Batavia's Great Tabernacle, a three-day event of music and worship at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.

The event continues tonight with free performances by Jim Drew and Jason Upton, and with speakers each night, tonight is Pastor Kevin Traux.

Last night's guest speaker was Tim Bennett, and Robin Mark performed.

Rep. Chris Collins hosted members of his Agriculture Advisory Committee -- local farmers and people involved in the local ag industry -- at Genesee Community College yesterday for a briefing on issues at the federal level affecting agriculture.

Collins noted that while he's not on the Ag Committee in Congress, he is on a committee with key oversight of a number of issues that affect agriculture.

"I am on Energy and Commerce, a more powerful committee, with oversight over the EPA and FDA," Collins said. "It’s certainly a good place to be."

Collins also addressed the issue of immigration, an important issue to farmers who, in recent years, have struggled to fill their farm labor force.

The NY-27th's representative is one of the few members of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president and until this past week, Trump was calling for the deportation of 11 million immigrants who may have entered the country illegally. In the past week, Trump modified his position and is no longer promising to deport migrant workers living in the United States peacefully. 

Collins said the shift reflects Trump growing into the job of presidential candidate and one who is open to discussion.

"We will secure the borders and make sure the workforce that many of you have do have legal work papers and can figure out visas and other things that might ensure you’re not short of help," Collins said. "I think that’s a positive."

Mark Zittel, from Erie County, who brought samples of some of the produce he grows.

Collins staff member Jeff Freeland.

Joey Williams and Marcell Taylor, friends from Albion, started talking about opening a business together six years ago, when Williams was still in high school.

A few weeks ago, it all finally came together when they opened Clean Cut Barbershop at 466 Ellicott St., Batavia.

"The most ironic part is he's actually the one who got me into barbering," Williams said. "I used to do it as a hobby and he told me, 'dude, I think you can get pretty serious about this. Let's go check out a school.'

"Once you start cutting a couple of people in the neighborhood, the kids started talking and the word gets around," Williams added. "I didn’t really take it serious at first and then I graduated high school and that’s when he was like, let’s get a move on things."

Williams started barbering school and Taylor, who had completed his training in cosmetology at Continental School of Beauty in Batavia, honed his craft working in the basement of his mother's house.

After a couple of years, Taylor was ready to open a shop, but Williams wasn't quite there yet, so Taylor went ahead and opened up on his own in Albion. The process was on-the-job training for starting and running a business, so after Williams apprenticed in Brockport for a couple of years, he told Williams it was time to get going on their plans. 

It was up to Williams to find the location.

"I told him as long as you can do some quality cuts and get some good barbers in here, I can take care of the paperwork and everything," said Taylor, who describes himself as as "an entrepreneur by day and by night," and he's also a partner in Taylor and Taylor Consulting, an accounting firm.

They picked Batavia because it's a big enough city that is centrally located and they think there is open space for a barbershop that offers modern haircuts.

They also want to grow a business that has an impact on the local community. Their shop is more than a barbershop. They have a pool table and are planning to bring in TVs with video games where they can host Madden tournaments and perhaps erect a basketball hoop in the parking lot.

"It’s all just a way to bring kids together and kind of get away from all the negativity that is out there," Williams said. "We want to offer different activities that help kids stay out of trouble. We both come from a background where it was a struggle to find programs for youth and we see a need out there."

Taylor said they hope they can be a positive influence that shows kids they can accomplish things in life.

"We want to help the youth out there know that there is a future out there beyond what maybe they know right now," Taylor said.

Genesee County's unemployment rate last month was at its lowest level for July since 2006, hitting 4.0, lower by sixth-tenths of a percent from July of last year.

In 2006, the rate was 4.0 and the last time it was lower was in 2001, at 3.7 percent. The highest rate over the past decade was 7.5 percent in 2012.

Nationally, the unemployment rate is 5.1 percent and for New York State it is 5.0.

In June for Genesee County, the unemployment rate was 3.7 percent. June's rate locally is usually the same or lower than July.

The county's labor participation total -- the number of people working or actively looking for work is 30,800. A year ago it was 31,400. The highest level this century was 34,800 in 2008.

The unemployment rate for the GLOW region is 4.5 percent, down from 5.2 percent a year ago.

In the Rochester area, the unemployment rate is 4.7 percent. It's 4.9 percent in the Buffalo area.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Blink 182 concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Wednesday:

Jonathan W. Keough, 30, of La Mesa Lane, San Angelo, Texas, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being told numerous times to leave the venue. Keough was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Brandon J. Robinson, 23, of Willow Ridge, Amherst, is charged with two counts of second-degree harassment, third-degree criminal trespass, and resisting arrest after allegedly jumping a fence inside the venue and then fighting with security guards. Robinson then allegedly resisted arrest. He was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $1,500 bail.

Nicholas J. Pascucci, 26, of Parmalee Road, Le Roy, is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly biting a Live Nation security guard. Pascucci was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Mark J. Cone, 22, of Anglewood Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Jeremy J. Carr, 19, of Vinedale Avenue, Rochester, is charged with two counts of trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue twice after being ejected and told not to return.

Brandon J. Sarget, 28, of Douglas Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Michael J. Rawle, 22, of Appian Drive, Rochester, is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly striking another person.

Allison J. Minnick, 23, of Maple Ridge Road, Medina, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass after allegedly jumping over the exterior fence into the venue after having been ejected earlier.

Rawson J. Duckett, 25, of Marlborough Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Philip J. Williamson, 19, of Seville Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Deputies were able to follow a trail of breadcrumbs, or in this case, truck parts, and, along with the help of witnesses, find and identify a suspect in a hit-and-run accident that occurred in the late morning in Le Roy on Monday.

James J. Riechel, 39, of Britt Road, Le Roy, was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, following too closely, driving without a license and reckless driving.

According to reports, Riechel's 2002 Dodge pickup struck a Waste Management garbage truck that was in the midst of making its rounds. 

A witness said as the Waste Management driver called to report the accident, Riechel fled the scene.

The accident was reported at 11:40 a.m. in the area of 8550 North Road, Le Roy. 

There were no injuries reported.

The accident was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.

Reader submitted photo.

Long a staple of the Genesee Region league, Elba and Byron-Bergen have parted ways, creating an opportunity for Elba and Oakfield-Alabama to create a new alliance.

It makes sense. The two communities share a youth football program, so the players grow up together and now they can continue that learning process together through the games that really count in high school.

Now comes the hard part of bringing two programs together on short notice. Elba's Head Coach Mike Cintorino and O-A Head Coach Brian Palone will share that role this year in the combined program. Home games will be split between the two schools and the team will wear the home uniform of whichever school is hosting that home game. On the road, they'll switch up the uniforms.

Next year, Cintorino said, no pun intended, the uniforms will become more uniform. There will be new colors and a new mascot.

This year, everybody's just got to get through the transition.

And the players are getting through it just fine, both coaches said. They're coming together, working hard and learning, even though it's a young team with lots of decisions to be made about who to play where.

One key decision is already made. Strong-armed freshman Colton Dylan will be behind center, taking snaps and running the offense.

"If we didn’t have the confidence in him we would probably find somebody else," Cintorino said. "He came out this summer and showed us right away — there were a few kids we were thinking about at the quarterback position, but the first time we came out for 7-on-7s and we watched him throw and watched him do what he can do, we just kind of looked at each other and said, ‘yup, that’s our guy.’ "

He's a freshman. He's got a lot to learn. He'll make mistakes and have his ups and downs, but Palone said he's shown he has the maturity to handle the process.

"He has a good cast around him, in coaches and players, to support him and help him become a better player," Palone said.

The offensive line is made up mostly of O-A players returning from last year and the receiving corps is anchored by experienced players from Elba, which will help put a good offense around Dylan, Palone said.

"Being a ninth-grader and being a leader to seniors is not an easy task," Cintorino said. "It’s not an easy task for an 11th-grader, so he’ll have to grow into that, but physically, he can do everything that we ask of him."

Palone and Cintorino are also growing into working with each other, they said. They both came into the GR the same year, so they know each other well, but they are molding together different styles and different strategies, but so far it's working well, they said.

"We're able to work together and help each other out," Palone said. "It's only going to make us better coaches, learning from each other and what we do. We’re both excited and looking forward to the challenge of working with each other and helping the kids out and becoming one program."