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Water heater explodes, scalding contractor on Beaver Meadows Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A water heater reportedly exploded at 7334 Beaver Meadows Road, north of Lyman Road. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding. A contractor called the dispatch center about the incident, saying he was driving himself to the hospital after suffering burns from the scalding water.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Command says it appears there was a flash of fire at some point, but it was self-extinguishing. All units are returning to service.

Photo: Aerial view of Byron

By Howard B. Owens

John Spaulding, a photographer in Livingston County, sent us this picture that he took last week while flying over Genesee County.

NOTE: Headline changed.

Car wreck at Walkers Corners Road and Byron Road

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at Walkers Corners Road and Byron Road. A 62-year-old subject complains of chest pain. The vehicles are leaking fluid. Byron medics, Byron and South Byron fire personnel are responding.

UPDATE 6:03 p.m.: One of the vehicles is blocking the intersection.

UPDATE 6:42 p.m.: One person was transported to UMMC. Responders are back in service.

Law and Order: Grand Island man accused of causing disturbance at local hotel

By Howard B. Owens

James Alvin Daigler, 58, of Stanley Road, Grand Island, is charged with resisting arrest, trespass and disorderly conduct. Daigler is accused of causing a disturbance at the Clarion Hotel, 8250 Park Road, Batavia, at 1:20 a.m., Sunday. He allegedly refused to leave after being ordered to leave and used obscene and offensive language while in public. Daigler was jailed on $500 bail.

Ted E. Kingsley, 40, of 117 State St., upper, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Kingsley allegedly failed to appear on a petit larceny charge related to a theft of beer from Tops. Kingsley was jailed on $1,000 bail.

James A. Chase, 33, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Chase is accused of violating a no-offensive-conduct order of protection by shoving and spitting on the protected person. Chase was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Reinaldo Roman, 41, of 130 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Roman is accused of repeatedly threatening to kill another person while in the presence of police. Roman was jailed on $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

Shane Zimblis, 42, of 24 Hutchins St., upper, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Zimblis is accused of trespassing on a property on Hutchins Street.

Jamie M. Hamill, 36, of 209 W. Park St., Albion, is charged with criminal trespass. Hamill was allegedly ordered to leave a residence several times and refused to leave.

David N. Taplin, 36, of 54 Newport Drive, Brockport, was arrested on a bench warrant. Taplin allegedly failed to show up at the jail for an imposed weekend sentence. Taplin was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Terry T. Saddler Jr., 37, of 112 State St., lower, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Saddler was picked up on a warrant out of Brockport by Batavia PD and allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Brandy Lee Stalica, 38, of Route 63, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Stalica allegedly subjected another woman to physical contact during a custody exchange. The alleged incident was reported at 8:31 p.m., Friday, at a location on East Bethany -- Le Roy Road.

Jennifer Joan Wolcott, 43, of East Bethany -- Le Roy Road, Stafford, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wolcott allegedly had physical contact with another person during an argument. The alleged incident was reported at 8:31 p.m., Friday, at a location on East Bethany -- Le Roy Road.

Eric Jon Merritt, 24, of Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, reckless driving, failure to stop at stop sign, failure to signal, failure to yield to emergency vehicle and failure to keep right. Merritt was stopped at 4:06 p.m. Saturday on Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Deborah Ann Scholonski, 43, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Scholonski allegedly sent a text message to a neighbor she had been told not to contact.

Marilyn Lois Weinert, 61, of Route 237, South Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to dim headlights and failure to keep right. Weinert was stopped at 2:06 a.m. Saturday on Byron Holley Road, South Byron, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Thomas Patrick Lester, 45, of Lake Road, Brockport, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, driving left of pavement markings and failure to keep right. Lester was stopped at 4:12 p.m. Thursday by Sgt. Ron Meides.

Timothy M. Fingland, 24, of Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. Fingland was stopped on Route 63, Batavia, at 8;59 p.m. Friday by State Police.

Tammy L. Long, 40, of Cheektowaga, and Paul J. Dipalma, 49, of Cheektowaga, are both charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Long and Dipalma were arrested by State Police in connnection with an alleged crime reported in the Town of Batavia on Jan. 17. Both were jailed on $5,000 bail each. No further details released.

MVA at Byron Elba TL Road and Byron Road

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Byron Elba Townline Road and Byron Road. A 68-year-old female is complaining of chest pain and nausea. South Byron firefighters are responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 12:07 p.m.: South Byron is back in service.

Controlled burn on Beaver Meadow Road now out of control

By Billie Owens

A controlled burn is now out of control, causing a grass fire at 7257 Beaver Meadow Road. Byron and South Byron firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 11:54 a.m.: A responder on scene says the blaze is down at the end of the driveway, at the rear of the property, by the house.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: A brush truck is there and all other units are told to come in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.: Fire is out. All Byron and South Byron responders returning to quarters and in service.

More than 60 students earn academic honors at the College at Brockport

By Billie Owens

The College at Brockport, State University of New York, recently honored students who excelled academically by naming them to the dean's list for the Fall 2012 semester. Students who earn a GPA of 3.70–3.99 are named to the dean's list with honors, while students who achieve a 3.40–3.69 are named to the dean's list.

Dean's list with honors:

Alexander

  • Patrick Guarino, with honors
  • Peggy Hamm-Johnson, with honors

Basom

  • Lori Stellrecht, with honors
  • Elias Seward, with honors
  • Danielle Hirtzel, with honors

Batavia

  • Heidi Dempsey, with honors
  • Kristin Aidala, with honors
  • Jennifer Baker, with honors
  • John Beckler, with honors
  • Kaley Falkowski, with honors
  • Leigh Woodall, with honors

Bergen

  • Shane Chatham, with honors
  • Cody Pierce, with honors
  • Rebecca Smith, with honors
  • Lindsay Stumpf, with honors
  • Athena Corodimas, with honors

Byron

  • Melissa Hale, with honors
  • Tammy Fuller, with honors
  • Sarah Ritchie, with honors

Elba

  • Gianni Zambito, with honors

Le Roy

  • Natalie Wedge, with honors
  • Katherine Rogers, with honors
  • Meghan Bishop, with honors
  • Danielle Ford, with honors
  • Gena Korn, with honors

Oakfield

  • Jamie Borkholder, with honors
  • Zackary Kibler, with honors

South Byron

  • Kallee Stein, with honors


Dean's list:

Alexander

  • Cory Dick

Batavia

  • Patrick Carr
  • Emily Mott
  • Felicia McJury
  • Erin Suttell
  • David Eick
  • Charles Eggebrecht
  • Cara Grosshans
  • Carrie Putney
  • Brittany Wormley
  • Diane Cox
  • Emily Glidden
  • Katrina Mogavero
  • Catherine Taylor

Bergen

  • Harjit Singh
  • Brian Humphrey
  • Alexander Gunther
  • Alyson Tardy
  • Emily Drzewiecki
  • Carrie Cooper
  • Paul Morton

Byron

  • Darren Kwiatkowski

Corfu

  • Casey Herman
  • Kristen Gaik

Elba

  • Keenan Hughes
  • Meg Stucko

Le Roy

  • Joel Pitts
  • Justin Becker
  • Abigail Graham

Oakfield

  • Samantha Denton
  • Olivia Waldron
  • Benjamin Cherry
  • Lisa Halat

Pavilion

  • Theresa Raponi
  • Shawn Mascho

Car slides into ditch in Bryon, driver is soaked and very cold

By Billie Owens

A car went off the roadway and into a ditch on Tower Hill Road near Byron Road. Byron and South Byron fire companies are responding along with an ambulance. The car is on its side. The driver is out of the vehicle with "minor injuries, however completely soaked," and possible having symptoms of hypothermia.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: Fire crews are told to respond non-emergency.

Car wreck with minor injuries on Byron Elba Road

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported at 6081 Byron Elba Road, east of Byron Road. A utility pole there is snapped in half. South Byron Fire Company is responding.

UPDATE 6:17 p.m.: National Grid is contacted because the pole presents a hazard. No ETA given.

UPDATE 6:26 p.m.: National Grid has a 10-minute ETA. A tow will respond to remove the damaged vehicle(s) after National Grid clears the pole/wires.

Smoke in the residence reported on Mechanic Street, South Byron

By Howard B. Owens

There is a report of smoke in the residence at 7617 Mechanic St., South Byron.

A chief on scene reports smelling smoke and seeing faint smoke, but can't locate the source yet.

Byron and South Byron originally dispatched, but the South Byron engine has been told to respond non-emergency and Byron can stand down.

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: Faulty hot water heater. All units back in service.


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Car strikes tree on Warboys Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A car-into-tree accident, believed to be with no injuries, is reported at 6668 Warboys Road. There was air-bag deployment. Byron and South Byron fire is responding along with medics to evaluate the patient(s).

UPDATE 12:51 p.m.: There are no injuries. Responders are told to proceed in non-emergency mode.

Woman injured in car vs. deer accident in Byron

By Billie Owens

A woman is complaining of chest pains following a car vs. deer accident which just occurred at the intersection of Byron Holley and Cochran roads. Byron and South Byron fire companies are responding.

UPDATE 6:50 p.m.: The scene of the accident is determined to be a half-mile north of Cochran Road on Route 237.

UPDATE 7:17 p.m.: The victim was transported by Mercy medics to Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport. The road is clear and the responders are back in service.

CORRECTION: Byron's ambulance responded to the scene and transported the patient to Lakeside.

GCC Spring 2012 President's List honorees

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College proudly announces that the following students are among 540 students who were named to the President's List for the Spring 2012 semester. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better. (The college also maintains a Dean's List comprised of students who earn a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74. Genesee's Dean's List will be released in the next several weeks.)

This year's Genesee Community College Spring 2012 President's List honorees, with their hometowns, are listed below:
 

Basom

Danielle Hirtzel
Jessica Pfalzer
Theresa Rainey
Elias Seward
Leah Snyder

Batavia

Russell Jackson

Bergen

Elizabeth Jarnot
Charles Lee
Lindsay Stumpf

Byron

Tiffany Harrington
Richard Lucas
Stacy Maskell
Arlene Olmstead
Adrienne Payne
Danielle Thom

Corfu

Angel Alexander
Stacy Brockway
Rachel Doktor
Tracy Kearney
Michael Kraus
Kyle Maurer
Kayla Meyer
Alyssa Reeb
Dawn Roberto
Dawn Smith
Trevor Spiotta
Dana Wolbert

Darien Center

Shannon Bates
Kylynn Bank
James Erb
Matthew Herod
Hannah Zimmermann

East Bethany

Autumn Atkinson
Julliane Ingalls
Alec Kirch
Bryce Kirch
Sarah Lawson
Janet Gohlke

East Pembroke

Anthony Nati

Elba

Michael Anauo
Nicole Beardsley
Richard Dorf
Chapin Guthrie
Chelsie Pangrazio
Samantha Walker

Le Roy

Kevin Callahan
Andi DeBellis
Eric Hayes
Stephanie Heisler
Jeanice Howard
Gregory Humphrey
Donald Kahm
Mark McAvoy
Cody Niccloy
Willard Prevost
Michele Rast
Bethany Roth
Heather Schroeder
Brenda Sheflin
Denise Simcick
Michael Sullivan
Conor Tomaszewski

Linwood

Deena Hernandez

Oakfield

Della Balduf
Jonathon Cassiano
Lindsay Chatt
Benjamin Cherry
Angela Larmon
Laura Ostrowski
Sara Read
Joseph Sullivan

Meghan Vandersteur

Pavilion

Samantha Barclay
Patricia Brown
Wendy Edwards
Kaleigh Kingsley
Jonathan White

South Byron

Halle Davalos

Stafford

Michelle Jackson

 

Genesee Community College offers over 60 academic programs and certificates, including the new Veterinary Technology (Vet Tech) and Polysomnography (Sleep Tech) programs. Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York, 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 yet state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high-tech" and "high-touch."

Forty-five local students make the Deans' List at SUNY Brockport

By Billie Owens

The College at Brockport, State University of New York, recently honored students who excelled academically by naming them to the Deans' List for the Spring 2012 semester. Students who earn a GPA of 3.70–3.99 are named to the Deans' List with Honors (***), while students who achieve a 3.40–3.69 are named to the Deans' List.

The honorees, and their hometowns, are:

Basom

Krystal Rivers

Lori Stellrecht

Bergen

Mary Cocking

***Joanna Menzie

***Samantha Elliott

***Melanie Monroe

***Shane Chatham

Danielle Lovett

Kathleen Lovett

Harjit Singh

***Brian Burgay

Byron

***Patricia Johnston

Melissa Dilcher

Melissa Hale

Darren Kwiatkowski

Capri Sullivan

Corfu

Casey Herman

East Bethany

Amanda Boulden

Elba

Torianne Cavallo

Bronson Cole

Le Roy

***Danielle Ford

***Gena Korn

***Antonio Madau

***Christina Mancuso

***Joseph Patton

***Emily Kovatch

***Abigail Graham

Katlyn Brooks

Chelsea Dillon

Chelsey Macomber

James Mangefrida

Jason McElroy

Danielle Merica

Joel Pitts

Justin Toland

***Lyman Rhodes

***Katherine Rogers

Oakfield

Kristen Casper

***Samantha Denton

Zackary Kibler

Shelby Kielbasa

Pavilion

***Theresa Raponi

Sarah Merritt

South Byron

Kallee Stein

Stafford

***James Mignano


The College at Brockport offers 50 undergraduate majors, more than 40 graduate programs as well as 24 teacher certification programs. The college has been rated among the "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, a "Best Regional University" by U.S. News & World Report, and a "Best Value" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Shed fire on Ivison Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A shed fire is reported at 7410 Ivison Road in Byron. It is connected (or close) to a barn. Byron, South Byron and Bergen fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: Elba is called to stand in at the Byron Fire Hall.

UPDATE 7:04 p.m.: Firefighters on scene report smoke is showing. The location is between Gillett and Freeman roads.

UPDATE 7:08 p.m.: The response from Elba and Bergen is cancelled.

UPDATE 7:14 p.m.: This was actually a tractor on fire, which was parked in the shed. The fire is out and the tractor has been removed from the shed. The inside of the shed has been hosed down.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m.: Byron is back in service. South Byron is remaining until the scene is picked up/cleaned up.

Serious injury accident off Swamp Road in Byron

By Billie Owens

A serious injury accident is reported at Swamp Road, east of Hessenthaler Road. There are reportedly two people unconscious in the vehicle. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. A responder on scene has spotted the vehicle in the middle of a field. Mercy Flight is put on standby.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: They are asking that extraction equipment be brought in.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: Fire police from Bergen are requested to shut down Swamp Road at Pocock Road.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: Mercy Flight is heading to the scene.

UPDATE 5:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 5:49 p.m.: One male required extrication and was boarded on Mercy Flight, which is now airborne.

UPDATE 5:59 p.m.: The man is being taken to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Brush fire off North Bergen Road

By Billie Owens

A brush fire is reported just east of 6385 N. Byron Road. Bryon and South Byron fire departments are dispatched. The location is between Route 237 and Bird Road.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: All responding units are back in service. We believe this was a controlled burn that the firefighters extinguished. We heard that they had talked with the property owner, which we take to mean they informed the person about opening burn regulations.

Five local Nazareth College students make the Deans' List

By Billie Owens

Nazareth College is proud to announce the following students have earned Deans' List honors for the Fall 2011 semester:

  • Kate Miano, of Corfu, who is studying Psychology

 

  • Meagan Lamendola, of Stafford, who is studying Business Administration

 

  • Karisa Kobel, of Bergen, who is studying Health Sciences

 

  • Brogan O'Halloran, of Le Roy, who is studying Music Therapy

 

  • Colleen Swinton, of South Byron, who is studying Health Sciences

A student's grade-point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the list.

Founded in 1924, Nazareth College is located on a close-knit, suburban campus in the dynamic, metropolitan region of Rochester. It offers challenging academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs in health and human services, education, and management.

Officer witnesses head-on collision on Route 33, minor injuries

By Billie Owens

A head-on motor-vehicle accident is reported on Route 33 at Caswell Road. There are two minor injuries. The driver, who was allegedly operating his vehicle erratically before he crashed into another car, is complaining of numbness to his left side.

The accident is blocking the roadway. Traffic is being shut down at routes 237 and 33.

Stafford and South Byron fire departments and Mercy EMS are responding.

A law enforcement officer witnessed the accident and told dispatch about it as it was unfolding. He said the car was careening all over the place before smashing into a car in the opposite direction.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: The Town of Batavia Fire Department is requested to shut down traffic at Prole Road and Route 33.

UPDATE 1:59 p.m.: The driver who allegedly caused the crash "has been removed from the scene (vehicle)." He is being attended to at the scene.

UPDATE 2:02 p.m.: Town of Batavia is told to go back in service.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: A second ambulance is called to the scene.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: Both ambulances are going to be transporting to Strong Memorial Hospital. Howard, who went to the scene, said responders told him a woman driving a sedan had pulled over onto the shoulder of the road to allow and emergency vehicle to pass. A man driving a large SUV crossed over into the other lane and onto the shoulder, striking her stationary vehicle, pushing it about 120 yards down the street. Truck driver John Smith, of Akron, saw the whole thing and said "The car was all over the road. (At the time of impact) It looked like two dragons colliding in midair."

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: The roads are reopened. Stafford is returning to service.

UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: An official from the Sheriff's Department tells dispatch to let the state Department of Transportation know that "signage was knocked over by this gentleman." There are two signs down across the road from 7137 Route 33, those being a "reference marker" and a light-reflector marker.

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