Bethany

According to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Christopher Joseph Campbell has been staying with a woman and her three children, which is a violation of his probation.

"He can't be around children, even if the mother has no objection," Judge Charles Zambito told the defendant and his attorney, Michael Locicero. "It's not up to her. It's up to me."

The mother, who was sitting in the gallery, was asked by the judge if she understood that. She said yes, and was asked to state her name for the record.

The defendant, with nearly shorn hair and sporting a Van Dyke (see photo, taken in February), was dressed in street clothes -- jeans, a gray T-shirt, and turquoise, gray and white zip-up fleece jacket. He looked over at his girlfriend and shrugged his shoulders a couple of times during the proceedings.

Although his attorney said he is employed full time, Friedman said that it is his understanding that Campbell was fired from his job.

Zambito said he will revoke Campbell's probation if he is found around children and he will be arrested. Period.

Last October, Campbell was charged with failure to report a change of address as required by law. It is a felony. He formerly resided on West Main Street Road in Batavia before moving to Bethany. But the state database for sex offenders, as of today, lists him as residing on West Main Street Road.

According to the state database, the 39-year-old, who is 5'10" and weighs about 190 pounds, was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse in 2007. He was a "non-stranger" who sexually abused two girls, ages 10 and 7, in the summer of 2005. Although force was not used, according to the record, he is listed as "sexually violent." He was arrested for the sex crimes by Monroe County authorities.

Campbell served two years in state prison.

Campbell is due back in court at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Clarence J. Carithers, 32, of West Academy Street, Albion, is charged with: unlawful fleeing a police officer; three counts of endangering the welfare of a child; reckless driving- speeding (86 in 55-mph zone); failure to stop at blinking red light; unsafe turn without signaling, speed in excess of 55 mph (111 mph); and inadequate lights. Carithers allegedly drove his vehicle past a Sheriff's patrol at an excessive speed on Lewiston Road, Alabama, at 12:44 a.m. and then failed to stop at a blinking red light at the intersection of Lewiston and Alleghany roads, continuing southbound on Route 77 at a high rate of speed. Carithers then allegedly turned onto Bloomingdale Road and failed to signal. He is accused of driving in excess of 55 mph on Bloomingdale before stopping at a gas mart located on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. He was arrested by Deputy Eric Meyer, arraigned in Town of Alabama Court and jailed without bail. Assisting were Sgt. John Baiocco, Sgt. Jason Saile, Deputy Ryan Young, and Deputy Howard Wilson.

Devan Dashaun Hazel, 23, of St. Mary's Street, NYC, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. He was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Stafford Court and jailed on $250 bail.

Kalil T. Walker, 23, of Isabelle Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. Walker posted bail and was released.

Timothy J. Wood, 28, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant upon release from the Niagara County Correctional Facility. He was turned over to Batavia PD, arraigned in City Court and sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Nicholas D. Martino, 37, of Main Street, Alexander, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. 

Darryl Robinson, 53, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Robinson was taken into custody during an investigation into an unrelated incident. Robinson allegedly failed to appear in City Court on charges of harassment, 2nd, and unnecessary noise.

Robin A. Pickering, 33, of Electric Avenue, Lackawanna, was arrested on a warrant. Pickering allegedly failed to comply with terms of DWI conviction in 2015. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Shuvon J. Williams, 41, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Williams was allegedly involved in an altercation in the Dollar General parking lot on East Main Street, Batavia, at 6:10 p.m. Friday.

Kelly A. Morrison, 44, of Skyline Drive, Lady Lake, Fla., is charged with menacing, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a weapon (prior conviction). Morrison allegedly brandished a large pocket knife during an altercation at 6:10 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of Dollar General in Batavia. Morrison was jailed without bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Edward Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 2nd, resisting arrest, and unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth allegedly damaged a parked vehicle in the area of Bank Street and Washington Avenue, Batavia, and then resisted when officers attempted to place him under arrest. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Maria Katriliotis, 35, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Katriliotis allegedly kicked another person at 3:40 p.m. Saturday.

Brandon C. Smart, 40, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Smart was arrested after police responded to a location on Hutchins Street to investigate a noise complaint.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at a location on Cedar Street, Batavia.

Dora L. Poodry, 23, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear on a petit larceny charge. Poodry is in custody on an unrelated charge.

Meredith H. Cutro, 40, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal trespass. Cutro allegedly entered the home of another person at 4:44 p.m. Aug. 22and refused to leave when told to leave. Cutro allegedly pushed another person when that person was trying to get her to leave.

Dustin L. Landin, 38, of James Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for an alleged violation of his release under supervision contract. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Traci Lynn Abrams, 19, of Skye Road, Alabama, is charged with possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. Abrams was arrested by Batavia PD and turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a warrant.

Rudy P. Bail, 23, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bail was charged by State Police at 8:36 a.m. Thursday in the Town of Bethany.

A car has struck a pole, with unknown injuries, on East Avenue near Route 63, Bethany.

Bethany fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE: Photos by Doug Yeomans. After the initial dispatch, we heard no more about this accident.

Nicholas Edmund Kaiser, 26, of Westbourne Drive, Tonawanda, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Kaiser was arrested after arriving at the Genesee County Jail at 1:35 a.m., Sunday, to pick up a friend who had been arrested for DWI earlier in the night. Upon Kaiser's arrive, officers suspected Kaiser of being intoxicated. He submitted to a field sobriety test. 

Jamie Ann Dorazio, 24, of Broad Street, Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to obey police officer. Dorazio was stopped at 11:44 p.m., Saturday, following a traffic stop on Sumner Road, Darien, by Deputy Eric Meyer.

Jeffrey Alexander Cardenas II, 26, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and failure to keep right. Cardenas was arrested after Deputy Mathew Clor responded to a complaint of a vehicle off the road on Lake Street Road, Le Roy, at 12:18 a.m., Saturday.

David James Leroy, 25, of Sumner Road, Darien, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Leroy was arrested after deputies and troopers responded to a check-the-welfare call at a location on Sumner Road, Darien. Leroy allegedly interfered with the deputies and troopers.

Ronald D. Ashton III, 24, of Bennett Street, Buffalo, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, suspended registration and driving to left on crest/grade curve. Ashton was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in Town of Bethany Court on charges stemming from 2016.

Kelly Ann Kasper, 47, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Kasper allegedly struck a person who was the protected party in an order of protection.

Teshawn Anthony Lang-Smith, 21, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Lang-Smith is accused of damaging property at a party at 3:15 a.m., Aug. 30, 2014.

In the end of July, Terry Weber opened a new art gallery and antique shop in the Old General Store in East Bethany on Route 63, where she displays and sells her artwork, and sells antiques.

Bethany Arts is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 5 p.m., and whenever there is an open flag hanging outside of the store.

"I sell to a lot of antique dealers because my prices are quite low," Weber said. "There is no middleman, I go out and find the stuff myself."

Weber was an art major in college and taught art for most of her life. She started playing around with the idea of opening an art gallery and selling antiques a year and a half ago.

She has been doing watercolor painting for 12 years and has recently started alcohol ink painting on tiles, but has used other media, including oils, acrylics, needle felt and wool.

“I've always drawn," Weber said. "When I closed the grocery store, I started painting and didn't stop."

Weber will begin holding art classes on request with four or five people in each. Those interested, can contact her at 993-0509.

"If you want to have an evening class in needle felting, alcohol ink painting, or even regular painting we could do that," Weber said. "I've got enough easels and tables and everything else."

The facebook page is located here and Weber just created a website located here.

The building Bethany Arts is located in was a grocery store owned by Weber when she bought the building in 1988. She closed the grocery store in 2005, and it became her art studio.

The profits from the antiques and her art, are going toward restoring the building, which was built in 1835, as a store.

"I want to hopefully make enough money to finish restoring the building," Weber said. "I would like to put the front porch back on it. I would like to do the roof and I have a lot of brick repairs."

Joseph Michael Franchi-Platten, 33, of Dellinger Avenue, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th; criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd; possession of burglar tools; and tampering with physical evidence. He was arrested on July 19 following an investigation into a trespass at a local business at 2:20 a.m. that morning on Lehigh Avenue in Batavia. There was a brief vehicle pursuit. He was arrested and jailed on $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond and was due in City Court on July 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Offficer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Darryle Streeter.

A 15-year-old was petitioned to Family Court for "unlawful possession of a weapon -- person under 16 years of age" in response to an altercation which occurred on Holland Avenue on June 9. On that date, at about 4:37 p.m., Batavia Police were called to Holland Avenue and Olyn Avenue for a report of several people fighting in the street. Upon arrival, police learned that at least one subject had been shot with a BB gun. While police were on scene, another fight broke out. Lionel J. Anderson Sr., 45, of Oak Street, Batavia, was arrested for disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting. Jaequele M. Tomlin, 22, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested for disorderly conduct, second-degree attempted assault, second-degree obstruction of governmental justice, and resisting arrest for allegedly fighting in the street and then fighting with officers. A 16-year-old was arrested for criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Anderson Sr. and the 16-year-old were released with appearance tickets for Batavia City Court on June 13. Tomlin was jailed without bail and was to appear in City Court on June 12. The individual who shot the BB gun was a juvenile and there was at least one injury resulting from the shots. The victim was treated and released from UMMC. This information was provided by Det. Eric Hill of the Batavia Police Department.

Nickolas Lewis Ives, 31, of Wendel Avenue, Tonawanda, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. At 1:15 p.m. on July 22, Ives allegedly broke the window of a camper owned by Darien Lake Theme Park. It was in the campground on Alleghany Road. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Darien Town Court on Aug. 1. On the same date as this alleged incident, Ives was also charged with: criminal contempt in the second degree; fourth-degree criminal mischief; disorderly conduct; and second-degree harassment. It is alleged that he violated a duly served order of protection by "threatening, swearing at, and damaging the property of the protected party." He was subsequently jailed on $7,500 cash or $15,000 bond. Both cases were handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

David Lavelle Andrews, 29, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree obstruction of governmental administration; failure to keep right; operating a moving vehicle while using a portable electronic device; and aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree. Andrews was arrested following a traffic stop on East Main Street in Batavia at 10:28 p.m. on July 19. He was stopped for allegedly failing to stay right and using a mobile device while driving. During the traffic stop, he fled on foot and was apprehended a few minutes later by Batavia Police and Genesee County Sheriff's deputies. Andrews had a warrant out of City Court for traffic offenses and was also operating on a suspended driver's license. He was arraigned in City Court then released on his own recognizance. He was jailed on $2,500 cash or bond and is due in City Court on July 27. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Morgan L. Cox Sr., 49, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief in the fourth degree -- intentionally damaging property. Cox Sr. was arrested at 6:53 p.m. on July 22 after officers were dispatched to Dellinger Avenue for a male subject who was banging on a door with a cane. Officers identified the suspect as Cox Sr. and he was arrested and arraigned in Town of Batavia Court. He was put in jail. He is due in City Court on July 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Nicole Salamone, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Morgan L. Cox Jr., 25, of Xavier Street, Clarence, was arrested on July 23 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. It was issued after Cox allegedly violated the terms of his release. He was jailed on $2,500 cash or bond and is due in City Court on July 27. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Patricia Christina Pozotempan, 36, of Masse Place, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested at 12:20 p.m. on July 19 on West Main Street in Batavia following a shoplifting complaint and a subsequent investigation at Tops Market. She was issued an appearance ticket for July 25 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Donnie D. Armstrong Jr., 20, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree. On the morning of July 19 at the Richmond Memorial Library on Ross Street, Armstrong Jr. allegedly stole a bicycle that belonged to another person, from the bike rack in front of the library. He was later located by police in alleged possession of the stolen bike. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 25 to answer the charges. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Meghann Barrett Williams, 38, of Abbott Road, Orchard Park, is charged with trespass. Williams was arrested following a brief investigation into an incident occurred at 4:55 p.m. on Bethany Center Road in the Town of Bethany. She was allegedly trespassing on property without the owner's consent. She is due in Bethany Town Court on Aug. 22. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

Ira James Blackey, 67, of Broadway Street, Lancaster, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or higher; DWI; driving left of pavement markings; and following too closely. Blackey was arrested at 6:34 p.m. on July 23 on Broadway Road in Alexander following a traffic stop. The defendant was released with appearance tickets and directed to appear in Alexander Town Court on Aug. 29. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Clifford F. Schultz, 51, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. It is alleged that he threatened another person at 12:18 a.m. on Bank Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court on July 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Bolles, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Juan Antonio Roman, 39, of Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with promoting prison contraband. He was arrested at 11:05 a.m. on July 21 after entering the Genesee County Jail. It is alleged that he possessed contraband/drugs after entering a secure facility. He was held and taken to Batavia City Courts "for arraignment on unrelated charges," according to the Sheriff's report. Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale handled the case.

Nicholas C. Doell, 26, no permanent address, was arrested at 7:22 a.m. on July 19 after an investigation into a trespass in progress at a business on Jackson Street. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack handled the case, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Nicholas D. Martino, 36, of Main Street, Alexander, is charged with failure to appear. Martino turned himself in on an active bench warrant out of City Court for allegedly not appearing for a scheduled court date for an unspecified matter on Feb. 8. He posted bail and is due in City Court on July 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Christopher Camp.

Investigators have leads to track down and a person of interest in a home invasion assault in Bethany three nights ago, according to Investigator Chris Parker, who is leading the case.

The 73-year-old victim is in stable condition at Strong Memorial Hospital after initially being transported to UMMC the night of the attack.

Parker said he has interviewed someone who is not a suspect at this time, but truly a person of interest.

The crime was reported just before 9 p.m., Saturday at a residence in the Bethany Center Road, Paradise Road area of Bethany.

The victim called 9-1-1.  He told deputies on scene that he was asleep and the intruder woke him. He said he had been hit with an unknown object, which caused facial wounds, and sprayed with an unknown substance.

Parker did not discuss what might have been used to hit the victim, but that all indications are, whatever the victim was sprayed with was likely nothing more than water. There is no evidence to indicate it was any other substance.

"I can allay any public fears that there is a person or persons out there coming into people's homes and assaulting them," Parker said. "That is not the case here. This was not a random act."

People with information that might be helpful to the case can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

A 73-year-old man in Bethany was asaulted tonight in his home by an intruder and is being transported to UMMC by ambulance for treatment of his injuries. 

The intruder awoke the man and struck him several times with an unknown object. He also sprayed him with an unknown substance. 

The suspect was not on scene when deputies arrived and law enforcement has no description at this time. 

The initial 9-1-1 call was just before 9 p.m.

UPDATE 9:07 a.m.: The driver, Brian D. West Jr., 17, of West Bethany Road, died this morning at 5:20 a.m. as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

A 17-year-old East Bethany resident was seriously injured tonight after he lost control of his pickup truck and it rolled over -- perhaps twice -- on West Bethany Road, near his home.

The youth, who was ejected from the truck, was flown by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. He was conscious and alert, and even trying to get up, when an Alexander fire chief first arrived at 10198 West Bethany Road.

"There is a hill rise to the south of us," said Sgt. Eric Seppala, explaining the sequence of events in the accident. "He was northbound. For some reason, he moved from his northbound lane to the southbound lane, went across it, went off the west shoulder of the road. The tires bit in and the vehicle rolled at least once and then continued and rolled to a stop. During that time, somewhere near the end, is when he was ejected from the vehicle through the driver’s side door window."

The cause of the accident, reported at 10:39 p.m.,  is under investigation, according to Seppala, but there is no indication at the scene of alcohol or mobile phone use prior to the accident.

Within the 100 yards or so from where the Chevy Avalanche appears to have started to swerve and cross over into the southbound lane to where it finally came to rest on its three remaining wheels, there are tire marks, deep gouges in the asphalt roadway, bits of metal from the truck, and a small field of auto glass.

Whether speed was a factor hasn't been determined, but traffic citations are possible, Seppala said. 

Deputies were unable to speak with the youth before he was transported to Strong.

Seppala said it hasn't been determined yet if he was wearing a seat belt, but they suspect he wasn't.

There was a small fire in the truck when Alexander chiefs arrived on scene and they were able to put it out with portable extinguishers. 

Deputy Howard Wilson is handling the accident investigation.

Alexander fire and Mercy EMS responded to the accident. Troopers also assisted at the scene.

The driver's name will be available once the Sheriff's Office completes its reports and issues a press release.

(Initial Report)

There was a car with a small fire in the car -- the fire may be out -- in the area of 1098 W. Bethany Road, Bethany.

An Alexander fire chief is on scene.

A man is down in a driveway.

Mercy Flight, with a 20-minute ETA out of Buffalo, is in route.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider approving incentives for three projects at its meeting on Thursday, July 13, in the Innovation Zone board room on 99 Medtech Drive, starting at 4 p.m.

The Board will vote on whether to approve incentives for a $7.1 million expansion for a new 40,000-square-foot warehouse and service center for West Seneca-based Freightliner Western Star.

The expansion will create 24 new jobs and the center will be located adjacent to the New York State Thruway and next door to the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP).

The GVEP graduates are seen as an "ideal" workforce for the new facility. Freightliner Western Star is seeking approximately $662,000 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

The popular Coach Tony’s, which makes a wide variety of food sauces, is seeking to expand its operations in the Town of Bergen. The company is expanding and planning on constructing a 5,000-square-foot building on three acres at Apple Tree Acres. The project will create three new jobs. Coach Tony’s is seeking approximately $50,000 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

The third project for consideration by the GCEDC is a $170,749 GAIN! loan fund for First Light Creamery in East Bethany. The loan will be used to assist with its existing production of goats' milk cheese from local distribution to regional distribution by adding to their barn, and associated infrastructure, to house more goats.

The GCEDC Board meeting is open to the public.

Press release:

Gorgeous and lovingly maintained sprawling ranch on five-plus beautifully landscaped acres with a pond! Absolutely something for everyone in this well laid out home and the storage space is unbelievable! This home has two living rooms, gorgeous kitchen with awesome views of remarkable back patio and in-ground pool which overlooks pond and fields with wildlife galore. Owners have literally just finished reroofing home and upgraded the electrical prior to listing!

If all that isn't enough this home has an absolutely huge finished basement with cozy living area, workshop space and a man cave that everyone will be jealous of with kitchen/bar area AND two-hole putting green! This home goes on and on and was meant for entertaining! Great location close to Batavia, Alexander schools. Must see! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today or click here to view the complete listing.

Rachel Ann Baehr, 30, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, moving from lane unsafely, and speed not reasonable and prudent. Baehr's vehicle reportedly struck a utility pole on Main Street, Alexander, at 5:42 a.m. Tuesday. When deputies arrived on the scene, there was smoke coming from the vehicle and the pole was broken. Baehr was located walking around the vehicle. She was arrested following a field sobriety test. (Initial Report).

Tara Lynn Thurley, 38, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and falsifying business records, 1st. Thurley is accused of stealing money from her employer in Pavilion and making false entries into business records of the company in an effort to conceal the theft. She was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

The East Bethany Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary on June 3 and 4, inviting past and present church members, and the community to join the festivities.

In 1817, 11 members were a part of the congregational church society, but later voted to adopt the Presbyterian form of government in 1829. Robert Carlsen, a 55-year member, said there are 68 members now.

“We’re a small group but we have some of the most wonderful people you’ll want to meet,” Carlsen said. “We have been very lucky to have the younger ones, between the ages of 25 and 40, join our church.”

Carlsen said they have been preparing for the 200th anniversary for a few years by painting the outside of the church and touching up the inside.

Rev. Michael Stuart is the current part-time pastor and the spiritual care manager of HomeCare & Hospice, of Western New York.

According to a book of history compiled by Mary Jane Heywood, there have been 50 ministers of the congregation since 1817.

Carlsen said the biggest change he has seen for the church has been membership.

“We don’t have a men’s group or a ladies' group anymore,” Carlsen said. “There’s no choir anymore, only on special occasions. We are fortunate to have the younger ones in our church, but they’re busy.”

Carlsen said his wife was a Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years.

“I can remember when we had a Sunday School of 20,” Carlsen said, “now we have four.”

Carlsen said he hopes to have 80 members in the next 10 years.

“It’s a small amount, but at least it would be a step in the right direction,” Carlsen said. “I feel if we can keep doing what we’re doing and maintain the 68 members and add more to get up to 80, that would be wonderful.”

On June 3, there will be a meet and greet at 3 p.m. followed by a service of celebration at 4:30. A catered dinner will be held after the service and a memory hour will be held at 6:30.

On June 4, past and present East Bethany Presbyterian Church pastors will lead a workshop service at 10:30 a.m.

“People are leaving and moving away,” Carlsen said. “I’m hoping this celebration will bring them back.”

The church is located at 5735 Ellicott Street Road in East Bethany.

A 67-year-old man from Bradford was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on Route 63 in Bethany this morning after the car he was driving crossed the center line and struck a pickup truck.

Investigators have been unable to determine so far why the 2011 Toyota sedan driven by Gerald D. Makin crossed into oncoming traffic.

Makin was northbound.

A 2013 Ford F-150 was southbound, driven by Robert E. Moore Jr., 50, of Elba. More and his passenger, Christine Moore, 49, were both injured and were transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC.

Makin's passenger, Anna Ayers, 69, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Coroner Tom Douglas pronounced Makin dead at the scene.

A third vehicle, parked and unoccupied, was struck by Moore's truck. The driver of that truck was working on a nearby water well and saw the accident only after the vehicles struck.

A truck driver from York, Pa., witnessed the accident and provided investigators with a statement.

The accident occurred about a 1/4 mile south of Fargo Road, south of an infamous S-curve that has been the site of prior accidents. There has also been a previous accident in the curve where these cars collided, but Undersheriff Greg Walker said he doesn't believe the roadway was a factor in the accident, nor was the weather, which was warm and only slightly overcast without wind.

Walker said it's unknown if Makin had a medical issue that caused him to lose control of the sedan, nor can investigators say yet if distracted driving was a factor.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Cory Mower. Assisting at the scene were Walker, Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble, Investigator Chris Parker, the Crash Management Team, including Sgt. Jason Saile and Sgt. Eric Seppala, the Bethany Fire Department, the Stafford Fire Department, the Pavilion Fire Department, Mercy EMS and NY State Police.

(Initial Report)

An accident with entrapment and possibly serious injuries is reported on Route 63, in the S-curve south of Fargo Road, Bethany.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:31 a.m.: CPR is in progress. An engine out of Stafford is called. One Mercy Flight helicopter out of Buffalo is en route and another helicopter in Buffalo is put on ground standby. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene.

UPDATE 11:34 a.m.: State troopers are on scene. Bethany's ambulance is requested. Northbound traffic at Texaco Town is closed; southbound traffic will also be shut down. Extrications of victims are completed. Police patrol at Cedar Street and Route 63 will be set up to divert tractor trailer traffic. Mercy Flight is canceled. Crash Management Team is deployed.

UPDATE 11:44 a.m.: The accident involved a pickup truck and a sedan. It appears that both driver's sides clipped each other; the front-end damage to the sedan is severe. Fire police are requested to divert tractor trailer traffic (didn't catch the location).

UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: The Bethany ambulance is taking one patient to Strong Memorial Hospital. Fire police will divert tractor trailer traffic at East Bethany-Le Roy Road and Route 63.

UPDATE 11:54 a.m.: This is a fatal accident. The coroner has a 30-minute ETA.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Mercy medics also took a patient to Strong.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: They are going to shut down/divert traffic at Route 63 and Paul Road in East Bethany.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: Undersheriff Gergory Walker said three vehicles (including an unoccupied truck) and four people were involved in this accident. The person who died was the male driver of the sedan. He was in his 60s and lived in another county in New York. His female passenger sustained minor injuries and was alert and talking at the time she was transported to the hospital. The driver of the pickup and the passenger in the pickup both had minor injuries and were transported via ambulance to the hospital. Walker said the passenger car was northbound on Route 63 when, for undetermined reasons, it crossed the center line and struck the southbound pickup truck. The impact was front driver's side to front driver's side. Upon impact, the pickup truck veered over and struck an unoccupied work truck belonging to a man who was servicing a well in the area. The worker heard the crash, then turned around and "saw the end result of it." Weather was not a factor in the collision, nor were drugs and alcohol. It is unknown if any medical issues played a role, pending autopsy results. Walker said it was too early to determine if speed was a factor; there was no indication of any braking by the passenger vehicle before it collided with the truck. Asked about the 'S' curve, Walker said the roadway itself is not considered to be a factor and that "several cars go through this curve every day and most traffic can make it through with no issues," although he acknowleged there have been serious-injury accidents there. The cause of the accident "is all up in the air" at this point and the investigation is continuing.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m.: Route 63 is being reopened.

A rollover accident is reported at 10198 East Road in Bethany. No word on injuries. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between McLernon and Jerico roads.

UPDATE: Photos by Glenn Adams. 

Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde directing traffic. He is a volunteer firefighter.

Eight local volunteer fire companies are holding open houses this weekend and I was able to drop in on a couple of them today, though by the time I got to Stafford, things were just wrapping up. But the Perkins kids were still there, so we thought, we'll get a picture of them inside one of the fire trucks.

Carter, 4, was pretty done for the day and not really into it. One-year-old Elli was having none of it, but older sister Leyna, 7, was all smiles.

Below are pictures from Bethany and Town of Batavia.

Here's a list of tomorrow's open houses:

Byron Fire Department
6357 E. Main St., Byron
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fire-related demonstrations; mutual aid exercises, plus blood pressure checks, truck tours and trying on gear.

East Pembroke Fire Dept.
2623 Main Road, East Pembroke
Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon

Elba Fire Department
4 S. Main St., Elba
Sunday
Equipment displays and station tours.

To find out more about supporting your local fire department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.