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Police Beat: Driver accused of driving under influence of drugs and alcohol

By Howard B. Owens

Joseph S. Martaus, 26, of 14 Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving under the influence of drugs, controlled substance not in original container, possession of a hypodermic instrument, disobeying pavement markings. At 6:48 p.m., Wednesday,  Batavia Police responded to a report of an individual who appeared either drunk or ill getting behind the wheel of a car. The caller provided the license plate number of the car and a vehicle description. The vehicle was located and stopped on Ellicott Street. Martaus was allegedly unable to pass a field sobriety test. An officer who is an expert in recognizing the influence of drugs responded to the scene and determined Martaus was allegedly also driving under the influence of drugs. He was jailed on $500 bail. Officers Mark Lawrence, Eric Hill and Jason Davis were involved in the arrest.

Daniel D. Reese, 55, of 97 Abbott St., Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and following too close. Reese was reportedly involved in a rear-end accident in the area of 210 E. Main St., Batavia, at 4:51 p.m., Wednesday. Officer Chris Camp conducted a field sobriety test and found Reese was allegedly driving drunk. Reese was booked and released on an appearance ticket.

Christopher Lawrence Bauld, 21, of Kinmont Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, no front license plate. Bauld was stopped at 8:22 p.m., Wednesday, on Route 77 in Alabama by Deputy James Diehl for allegedly having no front license plate.

Kelsey Anne Sanders, 23, of E. Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Sanders is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Louis Alfredo Mercado, 22, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mercado is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Jacob John McCowen, 26, of Oak Street, Warsaw, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. McCowen is accused of visiting the residence of, and calling a person in Pavilion whom he'd been ordered not to contact.

Police Beat: Alleged road-rage incident in Bergen leads to arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Charles Anthony Piazza, 52, of Cherry Laurel Circle, Webster, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Piazza is accused of punching another driver three times in the face during a road-rage incident in the area of 6168 Route 19, Bergen, at 11:34 a.m., Monday.

Matthew Scott Williams, 22, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Town of Elba Court. He was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Alanna Marie Whelan, 20, of 25 Bacon St., Apt. A, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. Sgt. Micaheal Hare responded to a noise complaint at Whelan's apartment at 1:15 a.m. and allegedly found that she served alcohol to two individuals under 21.

Kristopher Jon Ayers, 25, of Spring Street, Caledonia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th. Ayers was stopped in the Village of Le Roy by Deputy Joseph Graff in relation to an  arrest warrant on a misdemeanor charge of harassment, 2nd. Ayers was allegedly found in possession of five sets of brass knuckles and a quantity of hashish.

Luke W. Ritzenthaler, 27, and Amy L. Ritzenthaler, 26, both of Batavia, were both charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. They were stopped by State Police on Route 33 in Batavia at 5:34 p.m., July 4. No further details were released.

Floyd B. Eldridge, 53, of Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Eldridge was cited by State Police at 7845 Broadway Road, Pavilion, at 3:52 p.m., June 24.

Car accident at routes 63 and 246 in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A motor vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported in Pavilion at routes 63 and 246. Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE (11:45 a.m.): A firefighter on scene reports there are no injuries. A medic is still responding but in nonemergency mode.

Prom outfits made of duct tape land two Pavilion teens in contest's Top 10

By Billie Owens

ductdress01.jpg

When 17-year-old Sarah Scott was in the sixth grade, she envisioned one day making a dress out of duct tape. That's the kind of kid she was. Artsy and a little out there. Fast forward to May 15, and she lived her dream, with her dress, at the Pavilion Central School's prom.

The best thing is "what it's worth in memories," Sarah said. "It was a lot of fun."

James Kutter, her date, wore a tuxedo make out of duct tape, too, of course. This silliness took a great deal of work but had a solid purpose -- competing for scholarship money.

ductdress02.jpgSo it was thrilling when they learned last week that they are among 10 finalists in the annual "Stuck at the Prom" scholarship contest sponsored by Duck Tape brand, a manufacturer of duct tape. There were 240 entries nationwide, including some from Canada.

The weird but wildly creative competition is 10 years old this year.

Sarah says she didn't know about the contest but had joked about making a prom dress out of duct tape with her friends. She had long forgotten about her sixth-grade ambition and the Victorian design she drew and put away some place.

Then a student at school mentioned the contest. She Googled it and decided to take part. But she admits procrastinating on the project. Nothing like a little self-induced stress to get the creativity flowing.

She went to the thrift shop and bought the clothes she would alter and blanket with duct tape. She miraculously came across the old design she drew in elementary school and plunged in.

The finished products were Victorian in style, with a floor-length skirt -- cut away in front to reveal a ruffled under-skirt -- a ruffled bustle in back, and a bodice featuring a large cameo design on the back.

The basis of the ruffled under-skirt was a denim skirt that was two sizes too big. Turns out that was not an issue.

"That's the thing about duct tape, it's easy to work with. It sticks to itself. It's perfect."

She also had little lace-up ankle boots, a purse, chocker and a fancy eye-mask on a hand-held wand, in keeping with the prom night's theme "Masquerade." All duct taped. James, also 17, did his part by covering his suit in black duct tape, leaving it to Sarah to embellish and finish. His outfit also included a ruffled shirt front, walking stick and black shoes.

ductdress04.jpg"He was uncertain about the whole thing at first, but trusting. He said 'It's your prom, you can do what you want to.'"

The design features large, colorful vines, leaves, rosettes and the giant, rimmed cameo featuring a butterfly and purple flower. (Think Porter Waggoner and Patsy Montana in the late 19th Century.)

All of this took Sarah about $150, 86 solid hours of "spare" time and 26 rolls of duct tape, purchased one or two at a time so as not to waste anything.

Duct tape has come a long way. Sure, there's black, gray, white and clear. Had no idea about the crazy color palette available nowadays. Sarah also used chrome-colored duct tape, silver, purple, blue, red and lime green.

She did her own hair and makeup. And on the big night, she and James were met with responses "across the spectrum."

"Pavilion is a small school and it's quite strange for someone to do this," she explained matter-of-factly.

Turns out that duct tape, which purportedly can cure warts and do other wondrous things (it's holding up my Scion's back bumper), is practical for a whole lot of things, except wearing. It's heavy. The dress alone weighs at least 20 pounds. Duct tape doesn't breathe, thus it's hot. Besides being a tacky prom dress, it gets tacky. Sarah tried to dance in it, but gave it up almost instantly.

"I'm going to change my clothes," Sarah told her peers.

"But what about the group picture? Aren't you going to wear the dress for the group picture?" someone asked.

"When's that?" Sarah responded.

"At the end of the night," said the peer.

No way. So Cinderella doffed her gown and donned something she could dance in and the evductdress03.jpgening at Batavia Country Club went swimmingly.

As for the scholarship money, up until July 26, people can go online and vote for the entry they want to win. They can vote once per day. Sarah and James are hoping people in Genesee County and elsewhere will take the time to log on and vote for them every day.

Go to <www.stuckatprom.com>.

First Place gets $3,000 per person ($6,000 per couple), plus $3,000 for the school. Second Place gets $2,000 per person ($4,000 per couple), plus $2,000 for the school. Third Place gets $1,000 per person ($2,000 per couple), plus $1,000 for the school.

The remaining seven winning couples get $500 per couple.

Sarah, who is graduating a year early, will be attending Michigan State University this fall and plans to major in zoology and minor in arts. She would like to work with Indian elephants in field studies.

In the senior yearbook, she was voted "Most Artistic," and plans to spend the summer wielding and working with rocks. She also enjoys pottery, drawing and painting.

"I guess you could say I'm a fashion designer, too," she said.

Top prom photo supplied by Sarah Scott.

Minor injury accident reported at Texaco Town intersection

By Howard B. Owens

A minor injury is reported following a car and tractor-trailer accident at routes 63 and 20, Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: The vehicles are blocking traffic.

UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: The victim has a leg injury and chest pain as well as a facial laceration. The steering wheel was deformed by the impact.

UPDATE 10:53 a.m: Mercy Flight dispatched.

Bottom two photos are from a mobile phone and submitted by a reader.

Students' artistic abilities showcased at close of academic year

By Daniel Crofts

For a year-end project, I thought it would be cool to take some video and pictures of music- and arts-related activities -- respectively -- in the Genesee County schools.

The following video is 20 minutes long and divided into two parts (Youtube limits most users to about 10 minutes per video). It features concert footage from various schools in the county.

PART 1

PART 2

I have to make a quick apology for the poor video quality in a couple of instances. I had to be very careful to protect the identity of the kids (the ones photographed without parental approval), so I made sure none of the students' faces appeared too clearly on camera; plus, to be honest, the first camera I used turned out to be pretty awful when it came to taking video (even while taking decent pictures).

I also feel bad that I couldn't include every group I filmed in the video. My selections were based on a combination of different criteria, including:

  •  making sure the best songs were included
  •  making sure all of the schools I visited were included
  •  arranging the selections in a way that flowed nicely

So there's the music part. Here are some pictures I was able to take of art work done by Elba and Leroy students:

ELBA ELEMENTARY ART

Kindergartener Cody Soules stands in front of his drawing of a tree branch (top right).

First-grader Taylor Augello stands with her rendition of Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" (right above her head).

 

ELBA HIGH SCHOOL ART

Both of the following pictures were submitted by Dan Carnevale. Sophomore Sydney Gallup (top photo) and two unidentified students stand with their drawings.

LEROY JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (art and artists)

 

Also, see the May 27 announcement on the winners of the Architectural Drawing contest for fourth-graders.

Congratulations all of the students for a job well done!

Audit of Pavilion's Syntec Optics earns ISO Certification upgrade

By Billie Owens

Syntec Optics, with locations in Pavilion and Rochester, recently completed an audit that upgrades the company’s ISO Certification from 9001:2000 to 9001:2008. The original certification audit was conducted by the Bureau Veritas Group last year.

"We are committed to continually evaluating and improving our processes so that we can deliver high quality, cost effective components to our customers," said Lori Steffenilla, VP of manufacturing operations. “Completing this audit and being compliant with the latest standards confirms our attention to detail and quality.”

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world's largest developer and publisher of International Standards. ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 161 countries, one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system.

"This new ISO accreditation further demonstrates our ability to contribute to the global polymer optics field," said Rick Arndt, vice pesident and general manager. "Compliance with internationally recognized standards grants us access to customers who can be assured of the strength and quality of our processes."

Syntec Optics, which is also ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulation) compliant, is the largest independently owned manufacturer of custom polymer optics in North America and makes components for the defense, medical and biometric industries.

The company recently added a clean room to its Pavilion location. This Class 10,000 clean room will be used for assembly and testing of precision polymer and glass optical systems that are highly sensitive to environmental particulates.

Photos: Pink limo ride for Pavilion girl soccer players

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion girl soccer players -- "the future JV and varsity players" -- got a limo ride to their game today courtesy Mancuso Limousine of Batavia.

The girls were quite thrilled to get to ride in a pink limo.

Three-car accident reported in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A three-vehicle accident has been reported in Texaco Town, the intersection of Route 63 and Route 20, Pavilion.

Unknown injuries at this time.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 1:03 p.m.:  An assistant chief on scene reports no injuries.


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Pavilion woman hurt in Wyoming County crash

By Howard B. Owens

A 19-year-old Pavilion woman was injured in a crash Sunday in Wyoming County after a driver from Perry allegedly failed to yield the right of way.

Kristi L. Fox suffered a concussion and facial injuries, according to State Police. Investigators blamed her injuries on the lack of a safety belt. She was issued a citation.

The other driver, Stacey R. Lamm, 45, of Perry, reportedly stopped at a stop sign at VanAllen and LaGrange roads, but then proceeded through the intersection.

She was issued a citation for alleged failure to yield right-of-way.

Lamm was not injured.

Fox was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital where she was treated and released. 

Wyoming Fire and EMS responded to the scene.

Driver says he didn't have time to stop before rear ending other car

By Howard B. Owens

The driver of a car hit from behind on Route 63 in Pavilion at 4:10 p.m., Tuesday, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A witness to the accident disputes the account of the accident given by the driver who rear-ended the other car.

Brandon R. Brade, 28, of 1943 Genesee St., Corfu, said he was driving northwest on Route 63 when a car ahead of him swerved to avoid a car that had stopped for a left turn. Brade said he didn't have time to stop before hitting the car.

Paul Cody of Corbettsville said he saw the accident, but he never saw another car swerve ahead of Brade's car.

Injured was Craig S. Prucha, 49, of 6810 Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion. Prucha had apparently stopped to make a left hand turn into a driveway of 6808 Ellicott Street Road.

Brade was driving a 2003 Olds sedan and Prucha was driving a Ford pickup.

Deputy Matt Butler issued a traffic citation to Brade.

Police Beat: Father accused of using shotgun to threaten son

By Howard B. Owens

Michael T. McKeever, 42, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with menacing, 2nd. McKeever is accused of exiting his home with a shotgun and approaching his son with it during a domestic incident. McKeever then approach a car and shot out the passenger-side window. At McKeever's arraignment, an order of protection was issued and McKeever was ordered to turn over all of his weapons to the Sheriff's Office.

Randell Lee Krtanik, 59, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely, failure to reduce speed for hazard. Krtanik was arrested following a traffic accident on Bethany Center Road, Bethany, at 11:33 a.m., May 22. Krtanik was uninjured in the accident, and neither the mailbox he hit nor his vehicle were damaged. Krtanik allegedly swerved to avoid another car making a turn. The accident was investigated by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Melvin Leverne George, 42, of E Avenue, Akron, is charged with trespass. After being arrested for an alleged fight on Council House Road, Alabama, George is accused of staying on private property after being told to leave.

Robert Conrad Grant, 48, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Deputy Jason Saile reports that at 2:22 a.m., Sunday, he stopped Grant on Angling Road, Pembroke. Upon investigation, Saile determined that Grant was allegedly in possession of stolen telephone wire from a property on Route 5, Pembroke. Grant allegedly fled the scene of the traffic stop on foot. Grant was also charged with unlicensed operation, driving left of pavement markings, unregistered motor vehicle, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Grant was issued an appearance ticket.

First Presbyterian of Batavia invites people to 'Tree Peony Festival Outing'

By Daniel Crofts

Batavia's First Presbyterian Church invites community members on a field trip to Pavilion's Linwood Gardens for its annual Tree Peony Festival. All who are going will meet at the church, at 300 E. Main St. in Batavia, at 1:30 p.m. to carpool. The event will end around 4 or 4:30 p.m.

This outing is free, but an $8 donation to Linwood Gardens is appreciated.

Event Date and Time
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Police Beat: Driver charged with DWI following obscenity complaint

By Howard B. Owens

Christopher W. Fowler, 21, of 3340 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, harassment and obscenity, 3rd. Fowler is accused of sending an obscene photo by phone to another person and harassing that person. While investigating the alleged complaint, Sgt. John Peck came into contact with Fowler driving on West Main Street at 6:15 p.m, Thursday. Fowler was allegedly found driving drunk.

A 15-year-old from Bethany is charged with assault, 3rd. The youth was arrested by State Police following an alleged incident at 1:45 p.m., Wednesday. No further details were released.

Janet L. Grossman, 43, of Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. Grossman was arrested by State Police on Tuesday in connection with an alleged incident on May 1 in the Town of Batavia. No further details were released.

Joshua Gonzalez, 19, of Staten Island, is charged with petit larceny. Gonzalez was arrested by State Police on Monday in connection with an alleged incident from May 9 in the Town of Batavia. Gonzalez was jailed without bail. No further details were released.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

10:03 a.m., May 11, Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, one vehicle; Driver 1: Dale C. Burroughs, 50, of Batavia. No injuries reported.

4:57 p.m., May 11, off road/name not found, Town of Pavilion, one vehicle; Driver 1: Jeffery S. Stebbins, 43, of North Tonawanda. No injuries reported.

9:15 a.m., May 11, Thruway, mile marker 404.7, two vehicles: Driver 1: Toni S. Paul, 57, of Longmont, Colo.; Driver 2: Marvin L. Jacobson, 27, of Pavilion. One injury reported.

10:41 a.m., May 11, Thruway, Le Roy exit, one vehicle; Driver 1: Duane A. Brecke, 53, of Marshfield, Wis. No injuries reported.

Le Roy man admits to breaking into Pavilion business

By Howard B. Owens

A Le Roy resident admitted in Genesee County Court today that in September he broke into a Pavilion business and damaged property there.

Bryan M Hargrave, 23, of 61 Myrtle St., Apt. B2, Le Roy, was charged with three counts each of: burglary; burglary 3rd; criminal mischief; and petit larceny.

As part of a plea bargain this morning, Hargrave agreed to admit to one count of burglary, 3rd, and one count of criminal mischief.

As part of the plea arrangement, he faces a maximum of six months in jail and five years probation.

That sentence cap could be lost if he violates the terms of his release under supervision -- an issue that apparently had him in court for a review of his bail status this morning after he allegedly violated terms of his RUS recently.

“You understand that if you do the same thing tomorrow that you did last week, you could end up going to state prison," Judge Robert Noonan said.

"Yes, your honor," Hargrave replied.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell opened the hearing by noting that Hargrave had allegedly violated his RUS terms and, after consulting with his defense attorney Gary Horton, was now ready to accept a plea offer.

Hargarve admitted to breaking into Pavilion Drainage, 6630 Route 63, Pavilion. He was also accused of breaking into B.W.'s Bar, 11070 Perry Road, Pavilion, and Willow Bend Inn, 3489 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

As part of his plea, Hargrave agreed to pay whatever restitution is required for all charged break-ins.

Two men indicted on theft charges enter not guilty pleas

By Howard B. Owens

Two men recently indicted by the Grand Jury of alleged property crimes entered not guilty pleas today.

Bryan M. Hargrave is charged with three counts of burglary, 3rd, criminal mischief and petit larceny.

Hargrave is accused of breaking into businesses in Pavilion and the Town of Batavia on Sept. 23.

Carl Rivers, is accused of stealing a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado on March 19, 2009, in Oakfield. He is charged with one count of grand larceny, 3rd.

Hargrave is out of jail under supervision of Genesee Justice. 

Rivers is in jail without bail, but will have a bail review on Thursday. He has prior felony convictions, according to his attorney, Gary Horton. 

Hargrave and Rivers are accused of completely unrelated crimes. Their cases happened to be on the docket back-to-back today.

Child hurt in ATV accident in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A 7-year-old child was struck by an ATV in Pavilion at 4:18 p.m., Wednesday, and taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The condition of the child is unknown. The Sheriff's Office withheld her name from a report on the incident released late Thursday night.

The accident occurred on Walker Road in Pavilion.

The ATV was registered to Carolyn Manning. The driver was identified as a 12-year-old boy.

The report by Deputy Cory Mower says the youth spotted the child and tried to stop, but was unable to stop in time.

Grand Jury Report: Three counts of burglary brought against Le Roy man

By Howard B. Owens

Bryan M. Hargrave is indicted on three counts of burglary, 3rd, criminal mischief and petit larceny.

Hargrave is accused of the following crimes:

  • On Sept. 23, breaking into Pavilion Drainage, 6630 Route 63, Pavilion, and stealing $60.
  • On Sept. 23, breaking into B.W.'s Bar, 11070 Perry Road, Pavilion, and stealing an iPod, laptop computer and money.
  • On Sept. 23, breaking into the Willow Bend Inn, 3489 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, and stealing $75 and two bottles of liquor.

For previous coverage of Hargrave, click here.

Carl Rivers is indicted on one count of grand larceny, 3rd. Rivers is accused of stealing a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado on March 19, 2009, in Oakfield.

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