A pair of Jackson Street residents are accused of selling drugs and a sawed-off shotgun during the course of a month-long investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

The duo was arrested Tuesday following a traffic stop by task force members on Federal Drive, Batavia.

Taken into custody were Marcos A. Torres, 29, and Marissa B. Royse, 20.

Torres and Royse are accused of selling cocaine and marijuana along with a 20-gauge shotgun that had been cut down to make it easier to conceal.

When they were arrested, they were allegedly found in possession of cocaine, marijuana and a 9mm rifle.

Both were charged with criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Torres and Royse were arraigned in Batavia City Court on some of the charges and ordered held without bail and then arraigned in town court on the remaining charges with bail set at $5,000.

A Covington man previously arrested for impersonating federal law enforcement agents is now accused of dealing drugs inside the Genesee County Jail.

Local Drug Enforcement Task Force members served Nikko C. Gambino, 42, of Morrow Road, Covington, with a search warrant when he recently showed up at the jail to serve part of his eight-week intermittent sentence.

Gambino was transported to UMMC "in order to execute the search warrant," according to a Sheriff's Office press release.

According to the press release, Gambino had alprazolam and suboxone in his digestive system. When Gambino reportedly passed the substances, he allegedly grabbed a quantity of alprazolam and suboxone and placed it inside his mouth in an attempt to further hide or destroy evidence.

Gambino was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, one count of promoting prison contraband, 1st, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance not in its original container.

Following arraignment of Town of Batavia Court, Gambino was returned to Genesee County Jail without bail.

• Man accused of trying to pass himself off as federal law enforcement
• Covington man faces new charge for allegedly impersonating federal agent

Three suspected drug dealers were taken into custody in Byron on Wednesday after at least one of them was allegedly involved in a drug transaction with an undercover agent.

The undercover operation in Byron was the culmination of a two-month long investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.

Arrested were Richard L. Conte, 19, of 723 S. Main St., Medina, Reynoldo Melendez Jr., 23, of 75 Arnett Blvd., Rochester, and Louis Staples, 17, of 75 Arnett Blvd., Rochester.

All three were transported to the Genesee County Jail and held on $50,000 bail each.

Following those three arrests, a fourth suspect was arrested in Clarendon. 

Investigators executed a search warrant at 4955 Holley-Byron Road, Clarendon, where Kristina A. Brongo, 19, a resident of that address, was taken into custody.

The four alleged dealers are suspected of illegally selling mostly prescription drugs in both Orleans and Genesee counties.

Task force members seized a quantity of drugs, including oxymorphone, also known as opanas, oxycontin and morphine with a street value in excess of $3,000.

Also seized was a quantity of marijuana along with $1,000 in cash, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

Besides the four suspected drug dealers arrested, two teenage girls, whose names were not released, were apprehended during the investigation and cited for alleged unlawful possession of marijuana.

Conte, Melendez and Staples were all charged with one count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th.

Brongo was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal sale of marijuana.

Photos: Conti, top, Melendez and Staples.

Five children where injured in a two-car accident on Thursday afternoon when a 17-year-old driver in Darien allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way.

All five children, ages 9 to 13, were transported by ground ambulance to Erie County Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The 17-year-old driver, Dean G. Cullinan, of Prospect Street, Corfu, also suffered a minor injury and was transported to UMMC.

Cullinan was reportedly southbound on County Line Road when he went through a stop sign at Sumner Road.

Kelly Susan Ford, 45, of Fairfield Drive, Clarence, was driving a 2011 Honda SUV eastbound on Sumner with the five children in the vehicle.

Ford told Deputy Ron Meides that Cullinan's 1995 Plymouth minivan seemed to suddenly appear in front of her at the intersection. She couldn't tell, she said, if the minivan had stopped before entering the intersection.

Cullinan told Meides that he had stopped and decided to proceed once he thought the roadway was clear of cross traffic. He said he didn't see Ford's SUV.

The children injured were Kristen H. Olivieri, 9, Clarissa Surianello, 13, Mara K. Giambrone, 13, Emily E. Ford, 13, and Katherine L. Ford, 11.

Meides issued citations to Cullinan for allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign and failure to yield the right-of-way.

(initial report)

Before going out for a early evening drive, I stopped by Billy Goats where a birthday party for Steve Spyropoulos was just getting started.

Steve, who turned 60 today, and his son, John, own Settler's Restaurant and Billy Goats.

Steve was proudly serving up BBQ chicken and ribs and I got there just in time for a couple of slices of gyros -- the best gyros you've ever had. And if you've never had gyros, I suggest stopping into Settlers and asking for it. It's not always available and never on the menu, but according to John there will be some gyros specials coming up soon.

Even though it was Steve's birthday, he said the extra food spread was his way of thanking customers for their support.

A 28-year-old Batavia man who has set up computers and printers to help him print forge U.S. Currency will spend from three to six years in state prison.

Lendle R. Tucker was arrested in January and caught by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force with equipment he used to forge money and $940 in fake money.

Tucker, initially charged with 42 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, entered a guilty plea in April to possession of a forged instrument, 2nd.

The admitted counterfeiter has been in this type of trouble before. He was convicted of a misdemeanor in Batavia previously and has convictions in Erie County and other states. Tucker has spent the past year in an Erie County jail.

Public Defender Jerry Ader sought leniency in Tucker's sentence, but District Attorney Lawrence Friedman argued that Tucker should receive the maximum sentence available under the plea deal.

Judge Robert Noonan took a dim view of Tucker's criminal record.

"You certainly have a terrible criminal record," Noonan said. "I think you should be counting your lucky stars for getting any plea reduction at all."

Tucker's wife doubled over in tears as the felon was escorted from the courtroom. 

This post based on the reporting of The Batavian's news partner, WBTA.

The photo was blurry and pixelated, but posting it on The Batavian was apparently sufficient enough to help identify the subject in the picture.

Officer James DeFreze thanks The Batavian readers for their assistance and wanted everybody to know the case was cleared, though no criminal charges were filed nor anticipated.

Care-A-Van Ministries has been busy already this summer. They have already held eight cookouts in the neighborhoods and have 13 more scheduled! The cookouts include free dinner for all, great music by the Care-A-Van band and a special message by local pastors who have partnered with the ministry to make a difference in the community. When you hear that music, or see that rescue van, be sure to stop by, grab a burger, listen to the great music and enjoy a refreshing ice cream cone!

A grass fire is reported at Route 33 and Griswold Road in Stafford. Stafford Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: The fire is a small one in a hedgerow, possibly a controlled burn. Now investigating.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: The fire is a controlled burn, about 400 feet from the roadway. Stafford units are back in service.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at the junction of routes 63 and 246. Pavilion and Mercy EMS are responding. Four victims are involved. Vehicles are not blocking. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: An ambulance from Le Roy is called to the scene.

UPDATE 3:46 p.m.: Patients are taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: All Pavilion units are back in service. State Troopers remain on the scene.

Dan Jones, a regular contributor to The Batavian, announced Wednesday he will mount a primary challenge against a council candidate already endorsed by city Democrats.

While accusing unnamed Democrats, who are apparently opposed to his candidacy, of already fighting dirty, Jones promised an issue-oriented campaign.

"I believe in order for the city to move forward, council must support policies that are progressive, fiscally restrained and totally transparent," Jones said.

While Jones is endorsed by the Conservative Party, he is taking on Kathryn Balbick Bellamy, endorsed by the Democrats, in a Third Ward primary.

Jones was joined in front of Batavia City Hall on Wednesday by Assemblyman Mark J.F. Schroeder and Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian.

"Dan Jones loves this business," said Schroeder, whom Jones worked for as an intern in Albany. "He loves the business of governance. He loves to help constituents. He loves politics."

A recent graduate of Canisius College, where he majored in political science, Jones was born and raised in Batavia and professes a love for the community and concern about its future.

Besides joining in the conversation on The Batavian -- something he promises to continue doing, even after elected -- Jones has been seen at many city council meetings over the past three years and has spoken out on issues from the ambulance service to consolidation.

Jones, 23, says he is self-employed.

Christian, also a Democrat, said she is supporting Jones because he is involved and outspoken.

"He's not afraid to speak out," Christian said. "Even some of my colleagues are fence sitters who won't take a stand unless somebody tells them where to go. That's not me and that's not this young man."

Jones said he is seeking office with high ideals and an ambition to do what he believes is best for Batavia.

"I seek this office not so it becomes another notch on my resume," Jones said, "I seek this office not because I believe I have a popular last name or because I feel I am entitled to it. I seek this office not for revenge. I seek this office because I believe that Batavia needs to be a leader in our region, and indeed the entire state, in having good government that's responsive to the needs of all of its citizens."

Below, video of the event produced by The Batavian's news partner, WBTA:

A Le Roy resident was killed in a motor vehicle accident Wednesday on Wethersfield Road, Town of Wethersfield, Wyoming County.

According to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, Phillip B. Ellinwood, was heading east on Wethersfield Road when he attempted to pass another eastbound car. Ellinwood's car went off the north shoulder of the road and struck a tree.

Ellinwood was pinned in the vehicle. He was extricated by members of the North Java Fire and Rescue Department.

He was then transported to Wyoming Community Hospital.

The press release reads, "Despite life saving efforts by emergency room personnel Ellinwood died from his injuries."

The accident was invested by the Wyoming County Crash Management Team.

No further details were released.

A conversation, of sorts, overheard on the scanner:

"Hey Darren, that guy knew what he was doin' when he planted this field, I'll tell you that."

"Was it you?"

"Of course it was."

"I thought I seen a lot of skips."

"Ah, you also said you couldn't see very well."

"Is this the field you planted the wrong stuff in, Mike?"

"No that never happened, Darren."

"10-4"

"It's that cheap office help."

"10-4"

"You know, it looks good on paper."

"Oh, yea."

A two-car accident with possibly serious injuries is reported at 192 Sumner and County Line roads, in Darien. One vehicle reportedly has five children inside.

Darien Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 12:08 p.m.: A unit on scene reports only minor injuries.

UPDATE 12:17 p.m.: All occupants are out of the vehicles.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Two flatbed tow trucks are requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Mercy units transporting patients to UMMC and Suburban Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 1:04 p.m.: All Darien units back in service.

I have had a very interesting two days of getting signatures on the petition to get the Town and Village of Le Roy to accept the private funding that is going to be proposed July 13th to the village board and July 14th to the town board, hopefully. Many residents are signing. They say our kids need something to do and we never should have let it close. The support, they say, we have not shown since closing.

Two years ago I started a Community Holiday Bazaar that runs concurrent with the annual Winterfest. It was time we came together as a community. People used to walk around say hi to each and just talk. We have come to a time when we are too busy even to say hi.  

I did so because I grew up in this fine community. Our schools receive honors, our marching bands receive honors. All for being the best in spirit, in commitment, and all for our kids. Yet as a community since our pool closed, we have forgotten how important that is to the summers for our kids. We all say they have nothing to do. They are all over the place getting in trouble.  

Our kids in this community have turned to swimming at the Quarry and at Blue Hole behind the cemetery.  

All this is stirring up conversations all over town. People want it back. They want our elected officials to act on this. They want them as our elected leaders to open our pool. We are willing to do what it takes -- to pay for it, to have it added back to the budgets. 

I would like to say that in a conversation yesterday, I addressed the need to correct the work on the east side of the village. I apparently offended a board member. I was not completely informed on job titles and positions. Her spouse apparently holds a key position in the DPW. She felt like mentioning it that I was attacking him. I have no clue who did the work. I had no clue of his position in the DPW. I based my opinion on the Mayor's Notes from the weekly Pennysaver. Seeing there were problems and knowing they need fixing would only lead to the thought we have to pay to get it done, right?

I changed subjects back to the pool discussion. I was no way placing blame. She continued in her rationale to say the attendance was low, THE MAIN USERS OF THE POOL WERE LOWER INCOME PEOPLE, and we are at a time of using pools in backyards.  

I asked does that make me low income because I am in a check-to-check household who uses the pool?  

I did get irritated and reminded her that she was an elected official and she needed to act in the manner that the commonwealth of our community wished her to. I stated that if she did not, based on the petition when presented, it would be interesting to see what the people of this community thought.  

Walking out, I loudly stated it again "You are an elected official -- you need to remember that. We the people elected her."

I would like to state that at the beginning of this conversation she had a petition to be re-added to her party's ballot. I am a NOP so could not, but after this conversation probably would not.

I thought I would share this since she contacted a village board member who I am friends with and asked her to speak to me.  

It was a problem that I apparently offended her, by her perception of a generalized comment about repairs that she took personally.

She never once mentioned the LOW INCOME based comment she made.  

She based that on the fact that people from the Royals use it. I later found out in another conversation when I apologized to her husband. Do you realize that those people renting there pay more money to live there than those of us who own homes? I lived there before.

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT YOUR INCOME LEVEL IS -- YOU ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.  RENTERS PAY LANDLORDS WHO PAY THE TAXES. YOU HAVE RIGHTS, TOO.  

Must be nice to be so high up in the air that you can pass that kind of judgement on those below you. Last I recall, she grew up in Le Roy, too.  

Here is an important comment I saw posted on Facebook. I will not name who said it, but it sums our need up:

A community is not a community if all that the residents have in common is sleeping in the same geographic area at night before they rush off to their jobs in other towns each day. Community requires shared experiences and activities. That pool needs to be open.

"No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions."

-- Charles P. Steinmetz

Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kraving's offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY. Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985. Pizza, wings, pasta and more. We have $20 gift certificates for $10. (Good only at the Batavia location.)

Stafford Trading Post, 6173 Main Road, Stafford, NY: Lunch or dinner, Stafford Trading Post offers a variety of fresh, homemade meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Now in a new, expanded location. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun and good food are always on tap. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for three weeks of yoga, three classes, a $30 value, for $15.

SOLD OUT

Note: if you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Mercy Flight is being dispatched to 4199 Maltby Road, Elba, for a medical call.

The initial call was to a residence on Mechanic Street.

Elba Fire Department is requesting additional manpower to set up the landing zone at Torrey Farms.

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