pembroke

Photo by Joanne Meiser.

Submitted by Joanne Meiser.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department is investigating why a car went off the road in Pembroke and struck a parked van in the parking lot of 857 Main Road at about 5:46 p.m. on Thursday.

According to Pembroke Fire Chief Jamie Waff, the vehicle was traveling east on Main Road when it left the roadway and struck an employee’s van that was parked at the Kutter’s Cheese Factory Store.

The elderly male driver was extricated and was in and out of consciousness when he was transported by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center. Waff says he suffered life-threatening injuries. The elderly female passenger suffered serious non-life-threatening injuries and was also transported to ECMC by a second Mercy Flight helicopter.

The driver may have suffered a medical issue before the crash.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire along with Mercy EMS responded to the scene along with the Sheriff’s Department.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

Photo submitted by Joanne Meiser.

A lot can change in 52 years -- monumental world events like wars, recessions, and pandemics pass by, and new inventions like mobile devices and electric cars transform lives.

But some things stay constant.  

Love, for example.

That's the case for Greg Kinal, who grew up in Elma and then accepted a job teaching social studies at Pembroke High School.

"Prior to taking the job in 1970, I had never been to Genesee County," Kinal told The Batavian on Wednesday. "I didn't know Batavia was here.  "But once I arrived in Pembroke, I fell in love with the community. I fell in love with the kids. I fell in love with the school.  It’s hard for me to come up with the idea that I’m going to be leaving.  I just love this area."

In 52 years of teaching at Pembroke, Kinal said he's taught all manner of young people -- high achievers and those who get by -- but he's found, and it's the reason he loves the kids, that they are all eager to learn.

"Sometimes you get the impression, 'oh, social studies --  groan,' but when we learn about the Vietnam War, kids bring in their grandfathers' medals, or when we talk about World War I, they talk about their family history. There is always interest in the topics we go over."

Now it's time to slow down, said the 74-year-old Kinal, who has two biological children and two stepchildren, and four grandchildren. In retirement, he still plans to be a substitute teacher, but he wants life to move at a slower pace.

"I find that I come to school on Monday and the next day, suddenly, it's Friday," Kinal said.  "I want to take it easier and not have my whole life be in a rush."

Photo illustration courtesy Pembroke Central School District.

Saturday's sunset in Pembroke.

Photo by Joanne Meiser.

Press release:

J&R Fancher Property Holdings LLC broke ground this afternoon on their 14,000 sq. ft. mixed-use development in the town of Pembroke at Buffalo East Technology Park. The 2-story mixed-use building will be built on 2.6 acres located less than a mile from Interstate 90.

The $1.7 million investment includes 6 market-rate 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments on the second floor, and a 7,000 "vanilla" box interior space to attract commercial tenants.

“Genesee County continues to support housing growth and community investment and we are very excited to support their vision through our development,” said J&R Fancher Property Holdings LLC CEO Randy Fancher. “Our development is in a strategic location that we are confident can help attract prospective workers to one of the many businesses in the surrounding area, including the existing businesses in the technology park.”

Local officials praised J&R Fancher Property Holdings LLC’s investment, citing the opportunities revealed in various housing studies. The addition of market-rate housing for recent projects is a critical component to realizing the benefits of economic development in Genesee County, said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde.

“We’re very excited to work with a local homegrown company that values our community and vision of the future,” said Hyde. “With J&R Fancher Property Holdings and other significant investments of late in our housing stock, we’re seeing investments that are essential to our growth and the increasing number of career opportunities at companies across the county.”

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

Joanne Meiser submitted the photo of storm clouds rolling in near McAlpine Road in Indian Falls.

There is a strong thunderstorm alert for parts of Genesee County through 8:30 p.m.

Winds could exceed 35 mph and there may be pea-sized hail.

Areas affected could be Batavia, Darien Lakes State Park, Le Roy, Pembroke, Pavilion, Byron, Oakfield, Stafford, Alabama, Corfu, Elba, and Alexander.

Kevin H. Ayers is indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, menacing in the second degree, and harassment in the second degree. Ayers is accused of damaging a Ford F350 pickup belonging to another person on Oct. 8 in the town of Pembroke.  He is accused of damaging the rear driver-side tire, door, and fender. He is accused of choking the same victim on the same date at the same location. He is accused of displaying a knife in order to threaten that person. And with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm, he is accused of having physical contact with that person.

Joshua L. Webster is indicted on two counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, one count of menacing in the second degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of criminal contempt in the second degree. Webster is accused of violating an order of protection on Dec. 31 at a location on West Main Street, Le Roy, by intentionally placing a protected person in reasonable fear of injury or death by displaying a deadly weapon. He is accused of displaying a knife with the intent of using it against another person while children were present. He is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection on March 28 at the same location, and again on May 1. 

Zachary P. Hursh is indicted on counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, obstructing governmental administration, unlawful fleeing a police officer, and reckless driving. Hursh is accused of knowingly driving a stolen 2017 Honda Civic on Dec. 1 in the Town of Stafford. He is accused of using physical force to prevent a public servant from performing his official duties. He is accused of fleeing from a police officer in a vehicle at speeds in excess of 25 mph above the posted speed limit. He is accused of driving in a manner that jeopardized public safety.

Photo submitted by Joanne Meiser.

Drive drunk and you might just get arrested, or worse, you might kill somebody.

That was the message today for juniors and seniors at Pembroke High School, in advance of their proms in a DWI drill put together today by volunteers from the Pembroke, Indian Falls, Corfu, and East Pembroke fire departments.

Peter Farrington played the drunken driver who was arrested by Deputy Robert Henning with assistance from Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Farrington played out his role seriously, showing signs of visible drunkenness during the field sobriety tests and insisting that he was alright, just out for a good time at the prom, and wanted to get home and sleep.

Photos by Howard Owens.

At the start of the drill, students were given an opportunity to walk all around the "accident" scene to get a fuller view of the scenario.

This evening's sunset on McAlpine Road, Pembroke, submitted by Joanne Meiser.

A car is off the roadway and into the trees on the Thruway near mile marker 395.5 in the eastbound direction of travel.

An occupant has a complaint of head pain. Extrication is needed.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby.

East Pembroke Fire along Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: A second accident is reported at mile marker 396.4 eastbound, involving two vehicles with a rollover.  East Pembroke and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls dispatched to the second accident.  East Pembroke's chief at the first scene reports, "we're going to be at this one for some time with extrication."

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls clearing the scene, holding all equipment in quarters.

Click here for 9000 South Lake Road, Pembroke.
Click here for 0 Griswold Road, Stafford.
Click here for 0 Galloway Road, Batavia.

Pembroke High School held a special "assembly game" of its United Basketball team against the Pioneer Panthers, of Section VI, on Wednesday afternoon.

Unified Basketball, sanctioned by the NYS High School Athletics Association and Special Olympics, brings together teams of students with disabilities and those without to compete regionally.

"The purpose of an Assembly Game is to help spread the word about Unified sports and encourage more involvement, as well as provide some student-athletes with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to compete before a packed gymnasium of their peers," said Principal Nathan Work.  "This is a pretty big deal in the world of Special Olympics and Unified Sports."

Pembroke won 44-38.

This evening's sunset somewhere in Pembroke by Joanne Meiser.

A one-car motor vehicle accident is reported in the area of 9435 South Lake Road, Pembroke.

One subject reportedly has an arm injury.

Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls Fire along with Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m.: More manpower needed for extrication.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.: Corfu Fire requested to the scene to assist with extrication.

Genesee County Dispatch reports a tractor trailer and motorcycle accident at Route 77 and Main Road in Pembroke.

Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls fire responding. Corfu is providing traffic control at Cohocton Road. 

UPDATE 7:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight is en route to the scene.

UPDATE: 8:03 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

A caller reports that he was digging in the area of 3612 South Main Street Road, Pembroke, and struck a gas line.

Gas is leaking.

Pembroke Fire dispatched.