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Pavilion

Serious injuries in head-on collision in Texaco Town

By Billie Owens

A head-on collision with serious injuries is reported at routes 63 and 20, Texaco Town. At least two cars are involved. Mercy Flight is put on in-air standby. Pavilion Fire Department is on scene. Mercy medics and law enforcement are responding. One subject in a vehicle is alert, but entrapped.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: A landing zone for the helicopter will be set up. Eastbound traffic on Route 20 will be shut down.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: Mercy Flight is told to stand down.

UPDATE 1:23 p.m.: Southbound Route 63 is shut down and now westbound Route 20 is also shut down. National Grid is called to respond to pole number 249-1 and two flatbed tow trucks are responding.

UPDATE 1:38 p.m.: One person is being transported to Erie County Medical Center. A 36-year-old man is being taken to UMMC with a complaint of left shoulder and leg pain. He was the person initially entrapped in a vehicle.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: The roadways are reopened. Units back in service.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: A third patient was also taken to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 8:52 p.m.:  Photos of the involved vehicles submitted by a reader (The vehicles were taken to Dan's Tire):

Police seek assistance in identifying forgery suspect

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Le Roy Police Department is asking for assistance in identifying the white female in these surveillance photographs as a forgery suspect who has allegedly passed numerous forged checks in numerous locations n Genesee, Monroe and Ontario counties.

If you can identify this female, please contact Detective John Condidorio of the Le Roy Police Department at 585-768-2527, ext. 2219, or Investigator John Falbo of the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department at 585-396-4628.

Small shed fire on Telephone Road, near Texaco Town

By Billie Owens

A shed fire is reported at 6335 Telephone Road. It is near a structure. Pavilion and Le Roy fire departments are responding. The location is between Ellicott Street Road and Transit Road. A power line is running nearby and National Grid is notified. The roadway will be closed.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: "There's a lot of heavy black smoke," says a responder. A second alarm crew is called to stand by in quarters but the fire has almost burned itself out.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: A utility pole and power line are "involved."

UPDATE 2:09 p.m.: The city's Fast Team was called but is put back in service. Transit Road will be closed at Telephone Road.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: The second-alarm crew is told to stand down.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: "We're gonna have it knocked down in a minute," says the commander. They are going to apply foam soon.

UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: "The fire is under control."

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: The eastbound lane is reopened.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m. The road's open, assignment back in service.

Man falls asleep at the wheel, rolls vehicle, says he's unscathed

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 7949 Telephone Road  in Pavilion. The driver is out and walking around. He reportedly told dispatch he fell asleep at the wheel and his vehicle rolled multiple times. He claims to have no injuries, but Mercy medics are responding to check him out. Law enforcement is also responding. The location is between Linwood and Asbury roads.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: A medic on scene confirms the healthy condition of the driver, save for a couple of nicks on his fingers. He warns that the accident has "upset some bees -- there's bees all over the place."

Driver may have fled State Police over revoked license

By Howard B. Owens

A high-speed chase that started in Covington, made its way into Genesee County, and ended in Leicester may have begun because the driver had a revoked license, State Police say.

Shawn E. Wallace, 41, of Rochester, is charged with reckless endangerment, 1st, a Class D felony, unlawful fleeing of police and several traffic violations in multiple jurisdictions.

According to State Police, a trooper stopped a 2000 Mercedes on Route 19 in Covington on Friday for alleged traffic violations. Upon approaching the vehicle, the Mercedes allegedly fled at a high rate of speed.

Troopers pursued the vehicle into Genesee County on Route 63 and lost sight of the vehicle near Route 246.

Area law enforcement agencies were advised to be on the lookout for the vehicle and it was spotted a short time later on Route 20A, heading east toward Livingston County.

Troopers and Village of Perry police again attempted to stop the Mercedes and the vehicle allegedly fled at a high rate of speed.

During the second pursuit, the Mercedes allegedly nearly struck a state police vehicle head on.

The pursuit continued onto Perry Road into Leicester. After crossing Route 36, the Mercedes headed down a dead-end road and left the paved highway.

Following a short foot pursuit, Wallace was taken into custody.

Following arraignment, Wallace was placed in the Livingston County Jail without bail.

No injuries to either Wallace or law enforcement officers were reported as a result of the incident.

Law and Order: Motorcyclist accused of having stolen plates on bike

By Howard B. Owens

Matthew James Vandorn, 22, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, unlicensed operation, switched plates, unregistered motorcycle and no insurance. Vandorn was arrested after Deputy Joseph Graff stopped him at 10:41 p.m., Wednesday, to check on a motorcyclist in a parking lot off Route 63 in Pavilion. The license plates on the motorcycle were allegedly stolen property.

Pavilion man arrested on multiple charges sent to prison for at least two years

By Howard B. Owens

A Pavilion man who was arrested multiple times in early spring will serve two to six years in state prison on a third-degree-burglary conviction.

Joshua Lanair Webster, 25, of 7882 York Road, Pavilion, admitted to the burglary charge June 28 and was sentenced in Genesee County Court on Monday.

Webster was identified as the suspect in one crime after a picture of him walking through Batavia Downs was posted on The Batavian.

In April and May, in various unrelated incidents, Webster was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to yield right-of-way, burglary, 3rd, grand larceny and criminal mischief, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

GCC Spring 2012 Dean's List honorees

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College named 633 students to Spring 2012 Dean's List. Students earned a quality point index of 3.50-3.74.

This year's honorees, with their hometowns, are listed below:

Basom

Staci Casper
Andrew Greene

Bergen

Ashley Spangenburg
Jason Birch
Luke Stacy
Amanda-Kay Sands
Jeanette Menzie
Garrett MacDonald

Byron

Reed Olmstead
Morgan Midwick
McKenna Downey
Charlotte Donahue

Corfu

Laura Holovics

Darien Center

Michelle Waldo
James Odell

Elba

Lauren Hughes

Le Roy

Corrie Doeller
Debra McKnight
Rachael Panepento

Oakfield

Alyssa Esola
Cady Glor
Zaneb Silmi
Katie Engle

Pavilion

Jamie Haentges
Taylor Lafferty
Sydney Case
Sarah Nugent



Genesee Community College offers more than 60 academic programs and certificates, including the brand new Veterinary Technology A.A.S. degree and Polysomnographic Technology A.A.S. degree, (the study of sleep disorders).

Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina, and Warsaw, as well as through online classes in the Distance Learning program.

College housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and outside of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being 'high-tech' and 'high-touch'. Find out more at www.genesee.edu.

Pavilion mother faces second felony DWI charge under Leandra's Law

By Howard B. Owens

A Pavilion mother, charged just three months ago with driving drunk with children in her van, has been arrested again and charged with same crime.

Angela A. Kruse, 40, is again facing a felony DWI charge following a one-car rollover accident on Taylor Road in Covington on Sept. 8.

Kruse allegedly had her 5-year-old daughter in the vehicle.

In late June, Kruse was arrested in Le Roy after State Police received a tip that she was driving drunk with her child in her car. The felony DWI count, under Leandra's Law, is still pending in Genesee County.

Last week, State Police in Warsaw responded to the accident and were told a woman and a small child had fled the scene.

Kruse and the child were located at a residence on Morrow Road.

Both mother and daughter suffered minor injuries and were taken to Wyoming County Hospital.

Following arraignment in Covington Town Court, Kruse was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Car crash at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Route 20 and Perry Road. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A flatbed tow is requested for a 2006 Toyota Corolla with front-end damage.

Gas line struck and leaking on Black Street Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A work crew has reportedly hit a gas line in the area of Black Street Road and Asbury Road, Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire Department is dispatched.

National Fuel has been notified. No ETA on a crew's arrival.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.: It's a three-inch line, completely severed.

UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: Le Roy fire asked to have an engine stand by in quarters.

Four charged with burglary for their roles in break-ins at Pavilion residence

By Howard B. Owens

Four people have been charged with burglary following a three-and-a-half month investigation by the Sheriff's Office into a pair of break-ins at a residence on Telephone Road, Pavilion.

The burglaries occurred at 2:18 a.m., May 18, and 2:45 a.m., May 21.

In the first break-in, cash was stolen from a wallet and a purse on the kitchen table.

In the second case, three people reportedly entered the home and took a safe containing cash and savings bonds.

Arrested where:

  • John H. O'Shea, 20, of Wolcott Street, Le Roy. He is charged with two counts of burglary, 2nd, and one count of grand larceny, 2nd. He is accused of being involved in the May 21 burglary. He was arrested June 1 and has been held in jail on $25,000 bail since.
  • Dylan J. Hawkins, 20, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, is charged with burglary, 2nd, grand larceny, 4th, and grand larceny, 2nd. Hawkins is accused of partaking in both burglaries. He was jailed on June 7 on $25,000 bail.
  • Anthony J. Gonzales, 20, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and grand larceny, 2nd. He allegedly participated in the May 21 break-in. Gonzales was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.
  • Joshua M. Bratcher, 22, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th. Bratcher was allegedly involved in the May 18 break-in. Bratcher was arrested Friday and jailed on $20,000 bail.

O'Shea was accused in July of falsely reporting a theft of jewelry and marijuana in Le Roy.

The burglaries were investigated by Deputies John Baiocco, Frank Bordonaro, Matthew Butler and Investigator Roger Stone. The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Det. John Condidorio, Officer Darryle Rob and Officer Emily Clark, of the Le Roy PD.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Fight on Ellicott Street, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A fight among four people is reported at 6698 Ellicott St. in Pavilion. The parties are separated and Sheriff's deputies are on scene. Alcohol is reportedly a factor.

Law and Order: Pavilion man accused of sexually abusing child years ago

By Howard B. Owens

Timothy J. Petrie, 41, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with one count of sexual abuse, 1st. Petrie is accused of sexually abusing a child under age 11 at his house several years ago. Following an investigation by Deputy Matthew Fleming with assistance from Deputy Matthew Butler, Deputy Cory Mower and Investigator Roger Stone. Petrie was arrested Aug. 24 and arraigned in Town of Pavilion Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. UPDATE: In July 2013, a jury acquitted Petrie on all counts.

A 16-year-old resident of Warsaw is charged with petit larceny. The youth was arrested at 6:35 p.m., Thursday, by State Police in the Town of Darien.

Christian M. Hilken, 21, of Pike Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Hilken is accused of hosting an underage drinking party on Wednesday evening.

Henry Lee Banks, 42, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Banks is accused of stealing scrap metal from a business on Orchard Street, Oakfield.

Law and Order: Driver whose car struck parked truck in Le Roy charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Kyle W. Nash, 25, of 7 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and felony aggravated unlicensed operation. Nash was involved in a motor vehicle accident Tuesday night in the area of 76 North St., Le Roy. Nash was reportedly looking for an item inside the vehicle and his car veered to the right and struck the rear of a tractor-trailer parked alongside the roadway. Two passengers in the vehicle were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Following arraignment, Nash was jailed on $5,000 bail.

David Bruce Piechowicz, 36, Eagan Drive, Lackawanna, is charged with trespass. Piechowicz allegedly went to the home of his ex-girlfriend after being told to stay away.

James J. Angelo, 48, of Churchville, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Angelo was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in the Town of Darien at 12:05 a.m., today.

Reuben L. Bumpus, 29, of Newark, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08. Bumpus was stopped by State Police in the City of Batavia, at 12:35 a.m., today.

Walter L. Knickerbocker, 54, of South Street, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful growing of cannabis. Knickerbocker was arrested by State Police at 12:45 p.m., Tuesday. No further details were released.

A 14-year-old from Albion is charged with petit larceny after being arrested by State Police for allegedly shoplifting at Kmart on Tuesday. No further details were released.

Kelvin B. Murphy, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and second-degree harassment/physical contact. Murphy was arrested by State Police Tuesday for an alleged incident reported at 1:01 a.m. in Oakfield. He was ordered held in jail, no bail information given in the report. No further details released.

Last night's barn fire reportedly rekindles

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion Fire Department is requested to the scene of 11304 Starr Road, the location of last night's barn fire, for an apparent rekindle of the fire.

UPDATE 8:10 a.m.: A chief on scene reports a couple of hot spots have flared and only one engine is required to deal with the situation.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: Pavilion fire is clear the scene and back in service.

Passerby spots barn fire in time to save 37 head of cattle

By Howard B. Owens

A passerby who spotted the early stages of a barn fire on Starr Road in Pavilion on Tuesday night might have helped save 37 head of cattle.

Two sons of the farm owner were able to get the cattle out of the barn before it was engulfed in an inferno that consumed the entire structure.

Pavilion Fire Chief Paul Dougherty said the main structure of the barn was fully ablaze by the time the first firefighters arrived on scene just minutes after the initial call at 8:18 p.m.

The heat was so intense it was already starting to melt the vinyl siding on a house at least 100 yards away from the barn.

The command post for the fire, situated on a mowed grass area across the road from the fire, had to be moved back twice because of intense heat.

"With that much fire load going, the wood and combustibles all burning at once -- plus the the fact was a metal-sided building, which contains the heat until it burns through, and then once it does burn through it all comes out at once – it throws a lot of radiant," Dougherty said.

The barn was on the Kelkenberg Farm and Dougherty said the owners were "very lucky" the fire was discovered when it was. That portion of Starr Road, Dougherty noted, is lightly traveled in the late evening.

There is no public water in that part of Pavilion (as is the case with most of the Pavilion Fire District) and because of the low precipitation totals over the past year, the two closest water sources didn't have sufficient water to help fill tankers to fight the fire.

Firefighters had to fall back on slightly more distant secondary water supplies, but Dougherty said that since the fire spread so quickly after its intial discovery, even a good water supply wouldn't have helped save the structure.

Fire companies from three counties responded to the fire.

There was no saving the barn, Doughety said.

"At that point our big concern was keeping primary power lines cool so they didn’t drop in the road because that would have been dangerous for everybody on both sides, and then protecting the house," Dougherty said.

At 12:20 a.m., firefighters are still on scene. No cause of the fire has been released. The Sheriff's Office will likely release an initial report on the fire by the morning and we'll update this story with any additional information or details when they become available.

UPDATE 10:09 a.m., Wednesday: The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation, the Sheriff's Office said today. Investigators do not believe there was any foul play. The structure is described as four connected wood-framed barns and buildings. The main barn was fully engulfed in flames when the first units arrived on scene. Mutual aid companies included Le Roy, Stafford, Bethany, Alexander, Warsaw, York, Leister, among others. The initial 9-1-1 call was made by Craig Green. According to a source, Dave Tillotson was also a first witness and helped with rescuing the cows.

(Initial Report)

Fully involved barn fire on Starr Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

(This photo from the scene was provided from reader Joel R. Murcin.)

A fully involved barn fire "with lots of smoke" is reported in Pavilion at the Schumacher's Kelkenberg's barn, thought to be located at 11338 11304 Starr Road. The location is between River and Hudson roads.

Alexander, Bethany, Town of Batavia's Fast Team, and Pavilion are responding along with units from Wyoming County. They are asked to draw water from Pearl Creek.

Bergen will stand in at Pavilion's fire hall.

UPDATE 8:31 p.m.: National Grid has been notified that there are power lines on the ground and it will respond ASAP.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Fire police are asked to shut down traffic at Route 63 and Starr Road.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: Le Roy Fire Department is also responding as is Caledonia's.

UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: York's pumper is on scene and will be drawing water from the "first hydrant in the village," because getting an adequate water supply to fight the fire is proving problematic. The natural gas line in the barn is shut off.

UPDATE 8:58 p.m.: Monroe County is being notified they are tapping into hyrdrants. The water in the creek is said to be low, yet the amount to be had from the hydrants is also said to be limited. Now, they have enough water flow from the Hanson Aggregates mining facility. "We have plenty of it now." Warsaw crews have arrived.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: The top of a utility pole is on fire, directly across from where firefighters are working. Le Roy's auxiliary is called to provide cold drinks to the firefighters.

UPDATE 9:09 p.m.: They will employ the ladder brought by Warsaw to wipe out fire on one side of the barn, allowing those on the ground using hoses to concentrate on the other areas.

UPDATE 9:22 p.m.: The Town of Batavia's Fast Team is released from duty.

UPDATE 9:28 p.m.: Since the water supply from Hanson's is proving adequate, they are going to shut down the hand lines connected to fire hydrants.

UPDATE 9:58 p.m.: Cold beverages have arrived for the crews.

UPDATE 11:25 p.m. (by Howard): Fire crews are still on scene.The fire is knocked down but tankers continue to bring water to the scene to deal with what's left of the smoldering remains of the barn. Below are more pictures submitted by Joel R. Murcin. I was also out at the scene and will have a report with photos later tonight.

UPDATE 12:21 a.m.: Le Roy units returning to their hall.

One-vehicle rollover, minor injuries, on Rogers Road in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident with minor injuries is reported at 7104 Rogers Road in Pavilion. The location is between Perry Road and the interchange of routes 19 and 20. Mercy medics and Pavilion Fire Department are responding.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: Medics are told to respond in non-emergency mode. There are two very minor injuries and "it looks like they will be sign-offs."

Pavilion Fire Department has a new truck

By Howard B. Owens

Via the KME Fire Apparatus company's Facebook page:

The Pavilion Fire Department took delivery of a new KME Custom Topmount Engine Rescue. The unit is built on a KME Predator XLFD cab/chassis. The rear of the apparatus features a custom design with storage space for suction hoses, ladders, stokes basket, and an operating platform at the top of the body for safety when climbing the rear ladder to access hose and coffin compartment storage.

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