corfu

There may be some sort of fuel spill at the wastewater treatment plant in Corfu.

Corfu Fire is being called in for the possible hazmat situation. East Pembroke is requested to respond, as well.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: The plant is located at 100 Crestview Drive. The report is of a smell of fuel coming into the plant.

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: East Pembroke, Darien and Mercy EMS put back in service. Corfu remaining on scene.

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The Union Hotel in Corfu was built in 1828 and was once a stagecoach stop for travelers. It looms near the main junction in the village and was recently painted charcoal.

Shayne Poodry bought the hotel at an auction last fall and has been busy sprucing it up. It already had a popular bar and bowling alley inside. Now it has a restaurant and a banquet room, too.

Upstairs there’s a dance hall and the owner’s quarters. He’s had workers helping him with renovations and at least one unseen “guest,” maybe more.

People say it’s haunted. It certainly looks like it could be. Poodry just knows weird things happen at his place.

He remembers hearing stories about it growing up, but that was neither here nor there when the opportunity came along to buy it.

He soon found out his TV could turn on by itself. Once he got out of bed in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, and when he came back to bed, the television in the corner of his office was on.

“I never leave the TV on,” he said. “I was taught that -- you know when you’re growing up and the ol’ man says ‘turn off the lights, you’re wasting money.’ So I always make sure it’s turned off.”

Maybe even he could leave the TV on once -- but twice, no way.

“I was watching TV in bed one night, and just as soon as the lady says ‘Jay Leno is next,' and they start playing the music, when he does his monologue, the TV in the office turns on,” he recalled.

It was unsettling, made him think “What’s going on here?”

Another time, he was doing renovation work with a young helper and both of them heard a door slam mighty hard.

“Like the guy was mad at his ol’ lady and got up and slammed the door shut,” Poodry said.

Through a friend, he found out about a group of paranormal researchers in Buffalo who team up with a guy named John Crocitto to scout out strange phenomena. Crocitto has a radio program “Beyond Ghosts,” which is described as an “interactive paranormal radio show."

A Web production of paranormal happenings at the Union Hotel is in production. It will be unveiled Saturday, April 10, during a paranormal exploration event at the hotel with Beyond Ghosts. All are welcome.

Not long ago, Crocitto was invited to the Union Hotel with a couple of his colleagues to explain what he does at places like the Union and why. As for Poodry, he’s ambivalent about the whole ghost thing, but does see some marketing opportunities!

Crocitto’s cool with that, but he’s more interested in seeing “if there’s really an afterlife.” He thinks the universe to so complex, that anything is possible, including inexplicable fluctuations of electromagnetic fields and happenings that transcend or defy our limited understanding.

On a tour of the hotel, we climbed the creaky staircase and peered into all the little rooms and then went into the huge ballroom. That’s where they keep remodeling hardware for the time being. It was poorly lit and none too welcoming, but there were no odd occurrences. And least not upstairs.

A whoosh, BLAM is heard downstairs. The bartender rushes to close the front door, which is seldom used because most people enter at the side door, where the bar is.

“The door just opened and slammed by itself!” she exclaims, shaking her head. “I’m telling you, strange things happen here.”

Crocitto proceeds to educate us about the paranormal, which simply means “outside of normal.” He says:

Things don’t have to be old or dead to be haunted; objects can contain the spiritual energy of the person who owned it.

Some ghosts are “residual,” they are like a “looped tape” that keeps playing over and over whether you are there to see it or not. Like a woman who walks across the room, she just keeps repeating the same action nonstop.

Some instances are known as "intelligent haunting," like a TV turning itself on, in which a paranormal occurrence seems to be specifically aimed at someone.

There is no set of rules or scientific proof in researching the paranormal. Most people who take it seriously don’t claim to know what’s it all about or why strange things happen, nor do they necessarily care.

They simply enjoy the hunt and the process of capturing clues with infrared cameras and high-tech tape recorders, etc., afforded nowadays.

Ghost hunters, for lack of a better term, don’t try to “convince” people that such things are paranormal. They are sincere and serious about checking out reports of paranormal activity. It wouldn’t be fun or interesting to fake this stuff, they said. Just like deep-sea exploring for sunken treasure, they do it for the thrill of the hunt and, just maybe, the find.

“We were in the Buffalo train station, which is definitely haunted,” Crocitto said. “I was sitting down and all of a sudden my lap got cold and I heard a child’s voice say ‘hello.’ It gives me chills just thinking about it.”

He played the audio recording. It sounded cavernous, tinny, picking up the sounds of nothing but fidgeting. Then a breathy, whispery child’s voice utters “hello.”

Later we sat at a table in the banquet room, described as “ground zero” for odd occurrences at the Union Hotel. With only the glow of computer screens for light Crocitto, his cohort, Ryan Willard, and techie Brandon Bristow show a video.

It was shot in complete darkness with a stationary infrared camera focused on of the end of a hallway near a staircase. If you look very carefully, you see a shapeless, shadowy mass dart across from right to left.

In a still picture, shot at a mansion in WNY, Willard shows the transparent image of a young boy with a Dutch Boy haircut dressed in old-fashioned clothes standing in front of a tall window.

“It isn’t voodoo,” Crocitto said, in answer to a question about dabbling in the occult. “And I don’t see it conflicting with my spiritual beliefs. I’m Roman Catholic. I don’t think the paranormal is occult, of the Devil. But I’m not afraid of the Devil anyway … bring it on. The Lord protects me.”

This from a man who is a trained scientist, a biologist (who’s seen his share of ghoulish sights in the laboratory and the morgue).

“Most scientists I know believe in God,” Crocitto said.

Willard agrees.

“It would be really depressing if they didn’t,” Willard said.

Elliott M. Hickman Jr., 19, of 148 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with robbery, 2nd, petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. Hickman is accused of robbing an MP3 player from a 15-year-old in a parking lot at MacArthur Park on March 10. Hickman was jailed without bail. Previously charged in the same case was Malik I. Ayala.

Destany AnnMarie McNutt, 21, of 1302 Phelps Road, Apt. 4, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. McNutt is accused of stealing merchandise and money from Walmart while employed at the store.

Nicholas Jerome Lucarelli, 38, of 35 E. Gatewood Ave., Gates, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding (73 in a 55 mph zone), and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Lucarelli was stopped at 12:52 a.m. by Deputy Timothy Weis on Route 19 in Le Roy for allegedly speeding.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

6:06 a.m., March 24, Griswald Road, Le Roy, one vehicle; Driver 1: R.W. Fitzsimmons, 41, of Linwood. No injuries reported.

6:16 a.m., March 24, Lake Street Road, Town of Le Roy, one vehicle; Driver 1: Thomas M. McCullough, 53, of Le Roy. No injuries reported.

6:40 a.m., March 23, Route 33, Pembroke, one vehicle; Driver 1: Shirley A. Kensek, 51, of Batavia. No injuries reported.

Katrina L. Drake, 20, of 14 South Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th; Toni M. White, 29, same address, is charged with disorderly conduct. Drake and White were allegedly involved in a domestic dispute at 10:53 a.m., Saturday, with Drake allegedly destroying property belonging to White, and White allegedly yelling obscenities repeatedly while outside.

Stephen A. Lewis, II, 29, of 18 Cherry St., Batavia, is charged with DWAI (Drugs); aggravated unlicensed operation; moved from lane unsafely and inadequate headlamps. Officer Jason Davis stopped Lewis stopped Lewis at 12:15 a.m, Sunday, after reportedly observing him driving on East Main Street with out headlamps, turning onto Harvester Avenue and striking the curb.

Gregory L. Brennan, 41, of 8044 Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Brennan was stopped at 5:06 a.m., Friday, by Officer Daniel J. Coffey after allegedly being observed driving the wrong way down North Spruce Street.

Summer Ogden, 31, of 112 State Street, lower, rear, is charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Ogden is accused of attacking her boyfriend and biting him causing an injury. She also allegedly destroyed some property. She was arrested at 8:15 p.m., Thursday. She was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Andrew J. Duckworth, 31, of 128 Jackson St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Duckworth was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend at their residence. He was arrested at 4:08 a.m., Sunday, and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Warren H. Gaskin, 51, of 541 East Main St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and operating without headlamps. Gaskin was stopped at 2:17 a.m., Saturday, by Officer Thad Mart after allegedly being observed driving on West Main Street without headlamps.

Robert J. Scott, 35, of 30 West Ave., Medina, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Scott was taken into custody on a warrant from 2005 by Batavia Police on Friday after being released from Orleans County Jail on unrelated charges. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Dennis F. Johnson, 49, of 901 Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with BAC of .08 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, inadequate plate lamps and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Johnson allegedly failed to stop at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, for Deputy Kevin McCarthy who was attempting to make a traffic stop for an alleged equipment violation. Johnson allegedly didn't stop until he was in the driveway of his home.

Justin Zane Barker, 21, of 52 Columbia Ave., Batavia, was taken into custody on a bench warrant out of Cheektowaga Court for alleged petit larceny.

Julie Skye Besser, 42, of 380 Council House Road, Alabama, is charged with DWI, failure to yield right of way to emergency vehicle, refusal to take a breath test and failure to dim lights. Besser was reportedly stopped at 12:47 a.m., Sunday, on Hopkins Road in Pembroke, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Justin James Jaszko, 30, of 8087 Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, two counts of criminal trespass, 2nd, unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, menacing, 3rd, harassment, 2nd. Jaszko allegedly violated an order of protection at 4:30 a.m., Saturday. He was jailed on $20,000 bail.

A 17-year-old from Oakfield is charged with aggravated harassment. The youth allegedly sent unwanted text messages and made unwanted phone calls to a young victim after being told to have no further contact with that person.

Lacey Ann Easton, 21, of 13369 Steiner Road, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Easton was stopped at 12:34 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Patrick Reeves for alleged traffic violations on Route 5, Pembroke.

Anthony John Ferris, 28, of 43 Longs Lane, Corfu, is charged with six counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Ferris allegedly tried to call his ex-girlfriend in violation of a court order while locked up in Genesee County Jail.

Henry Leon Polanowski, 30, of 7205 E. Superstition Springs Blvd., Mesa, Ariz., is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Polanowski was arrested by Deputy Chad Minuto at 2:21 p.m., Friday, in Oakfield.

James R. Presnal, 51, of Penfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and refusal to take a breath test. Presnal was reportedly stopped by State Police at 7:46 p.m., Saturday on the Thruway in the Town of Batavia.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

4:32 p.m., March 18, Pekin Road, Elba, two vehicles; Driver 1: Mary R. Maciag, 26, of Darien Center; Driver 2: Joan C. Whyman, 68, of Oakfield. No injuries reported.

7:40 a.m., March 20, Thruway toll entrance, Town of Batavia, two vehicles; Driver 1: Ashton L. Smith, 27, of Le Roy; Driver 2: M.L. Klinkbeil, 36, of Rochester. One injury reported.

Jennifer Keys, a regular contributor to The Batavian, was elected to a village trustee seat in the Le Roy election yesterday.

She was one of four people to win a contested seat in the five village elections held Tuesday.

Also winning in Le Roy was Robert Taylor.

The winners in Corfu were David Bielec and Thomas Sobczak.

(via WBTA)

BATAVIA, NY -- Scott Doll didn't kill Joseph Benaquist. That's the defense attorney Paul Cambria said he will present at the Corfu man's murder trial starting May 3.

Cambria won't rely on expert psychological testimony to try and explain Doll's actions or statements, Cambria said at a hearing in Genesee County Court this morning.

"There is no such defense," Cambria told Judge Robert Noonan after District Attorney Lawrence Friedman asked for the results of any psychological evaluation of Doll. Cambria said no such evaluation has been done because Doll's state of mind won't be an issue in the trial.

"The defense is the defendant is not guilty. That’s the defense. We do not intend to offer any sort of psychological testimony. He didn't do it. That’s the the defense of the case."

Today's hearing was primarily to give Doll a chance to accept any plea offer before the trial date is confirmed, but Friedman hasn't made a plea offer to Doll.

"It has been the understanding from the start of this case that it had to be tried and Mr. Cambria agreed with that assessment," Friedman said.

The two attorneys, as well as Cambria's co-counsel, Daniel Killelea, discussed various issues regarding evidence in the case.

Killelea raised a concern about the prosecution's inability, so far, to narrow the time of Benaquist's death further than some time between 4:45 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. p.m., Feb. 16-17, 2009 (the prosecution puts the time of attack at between 4:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.).

"Obviously, a more narrow time is important to us as we prepare our defense, and at trial, to effectively represent Mr. Doll," Killelea said.

Judge Noonan said he couldn't really order the prosecution to name a more particular  time if Friedman doesn't have the evidence to draw that conclusion.

Outside of court, Cambria said the Sheriff's Office and District Attorney reached a hasty conclusion that Doll killed the 66-year-old Benaquist, who was found bludgeoned to death in the driveway of his Pembroke home. Cambria said they concluded Doll was the killer even before all of the forensic evidence was gathered.

"They rushed to judgement here," Cambria said. "In two days they had an indictment. We’re getting reports now (from the forensics lab). We just got one last week. And here they are rushing to judgment two days after it’s over. As far as we’re concerned, they have their opinion and when they get to court and they get crossed examined and we put in our evidence, then the jury will make a determination."

Sheriff's Office investigators say Doll was found covered with blood wandering on the east side of North Lake Road. 

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

For previous coverage, click here.

Photos: Cambria, back left, Killelea, and Doll exit the court house. Inset: Paul Cambria talks with the media.

A 22-year-old Corfu woman reportedly lost control of her car while driving on Walden Avenue in Lancaster this morning. He car slid on snow-covered roads, crossed into oncoming traffic, and struck a snowplow.

Lindsay Burleson died as a result of her injuries.

The 7:45 a.m. accident occurred between Ransom and Town Line roads.

The driver of the snowplow was not identified.

(via the Buffalo News)

Jeffery M.  Rider, 31, of 8130 Route 5, Le Roy, is charged with resisting arrest. At 10:50 p.m., Tuesday, Deputy Bradley D. Mazur reportedly tried to execute an arrest warrant for Rider for alleged violation of probation. At the time of the attempted arrest, Rider allegedly resisted arrest. Rider was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Robert L. Vanburen, 48, of 370 W. Main St., lower, Batavia, is charged with throwing an injurious substance on the highway (littering), DWI and aggravated DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Vanburen was stopped by Officer Dan Coffey at 11:53 p.m., Wednesday, on West Main Street.

Robert F. Williams, 49, of 114 State St., Apt. #3, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Williams is accused of grabbing a woman and throwing her. She was not injured.

A 17-year-old from Bergen is charged with criminal contempt. The youth is accused of shoving another person. There was an order of protection barring such conduct.

Kimmie A. Welsh, 43, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. Welsh was stopped by State Police at 9:40 a.m., Tuesday, at the intersection of Route 33 and Route 77 in the Village of Corfu. No further details available.

Clarence L. Blackmon, 39, of Oakfield, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Blackmon was arrested by State Police at noon, Tuesday. He is accused of stealing an item valued at less than $3,000. No further details are available.

Tanya L .Thyret, 31, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and an equipment violation. Thyret was stopped by State Police at 8:45 p.m., Tuesday, on Culver Road, Town of Bativia. No further details are available.

Accidents from the state police blotter:

4:59 p.m., Feb. 22, Thruway, Mile Marker 399 west, Pembroke, two vehicles; Driver 1: William Burton Lewis, 22, of East Amherst; Driver 2: Leonard E. Neal, 58, of Gravehurst, Ontario, Canada. One injury reported. No further details available.

Barbara E. Ferrando, 38, of 53 W. Main St., Apt. 101, Corfu, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Ferrando is accused getting into a dispute with a store clerk. During the alleged confrontation, she allegedly reached behind the counter and struck the clerk with a plastic coffee mug, causing minor injuries.

Jessica J. Moscicki, 19, of 19 Briarwood Terrace, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd and criminal impersonation, 2nd.  Moscicki was charged after allegedly giving a false name to Officer Ed Mileham during a traffic stop in the Tops Market parking lot at 2:30 p.m., yesterday. After further investigation, her identity was discovered and it was revealed she had a suspended license.

Brian L. Smith, 48, of 4128 Colonial Blvd., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith is accused of violating a court order by sending computer messages to a woman in Florida. Smith was allegedly barred from any contact with the woman. The messages were reportedly sent on Feb. 16. He was arrested yesterday around noon.

Mark Paul George, Sr., 51, of 3281 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with harassment, 2nd. George allegedly got into a dispute with a woman in Darien over some property. When the other person attempted to contact the police, George allegedly struck her hand, knocking her mobile phone away. There were no injuries reported.

Harry J. Reed, 28, of Rochester, was charged by State Police with DWI. Reed was stopped at 42 Green Knolls Road, Stafford, at 8:42 a.m., Monday. No further information is available.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

3:38 p.m., Feb. 22, Barrville Road, Elba, two vehicles; Driver 1: Mary R. Prior, 67, of Batavia; Driver 2: Kim C. Clark, 59, of Attica. No injuries reported.

10:18 p.m., Feb. 22, Lewiston Road, Alabama, one vehicle; Driver 1: Brandy L. Golding, 35, of Akron. No injuries reported.

5:40 a.m., Feb. 23, Attica Road, Darien, one vehicle; Driver 1: David M. Roberts, 39, of Attica. No injuries reported.

4:37 p.m., Feb. 22, Mile Marker 397.4, Thruway, Pembroke, one vehicle; Driver 1: Michael H. Moran, 20, of Batavia. No injuries reported.

4:44 p.m., Feb. 22, Mile Marker 403, Thruway, Pembroke, one vehicle; Driver 1: Allessandra R. Falcao, 27, of Kearny, NJ.

12:03 a.m., Feb. 23, Mile Marker 394.7, Thruway, Batavia, one vehicle: Driver 1: Michael R. Eaton, 34, of Rush. No injuries reported.

A person reportedly has a minor hand injury, but is trapped inside a vehicle following an accident in Corfu.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS have been dispatched to the intersection of Route 5 and Hartshorn Road.

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Taylor Dylan Carbonaro, 19, of 1044 Peck Road, Hilton, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Carbonaro was stopped on Route 77 in Pembroke at 7:07 p.m. Monday by Deputy Patrick Reeves for an alleged traffic violation. Deputy Reeves reported smelling the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the car and found Carbonaro allegedly in possession of cannabis. Carbonaro was also issued tickets for alleged failure to keep right and throwing refuse/cigarette on the highway.

Todd L. Fairbanks, 27, of 38 Prospect Ave., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Fairbanks is accused of making several unwanted and annoying telephone calls to a female acquaintance. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Rebecca L. Santiago, 23, of Stafford, was arrested Jan. 23 and charged with petit larceny. The arrested appeared in today's State Police blotter. She was also charged with criminal mischief. No further details provided.

A 17-year-old girl from Corfu is charged with harassment 2nd. She was arrested by State Police in Pembroke at 11 a.m. Monday. No further details provided.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

6:22 p.m., Feb. 8, Weatherwax Road, Elba, one vehicle; Driver 1: Glenn J. Northup, 63, of Byron. No injuries reported.

The ongoing success of Pizza Pantry has made the national press.

A trade industry magazine, Pizza Today (yes, pizza shop owners have their own trade magazine), featured the Corfu pizza parlor in its latest edition.

The article details how Bev Snider (at first with her sister and mother as partners) took a low-budget pizza shop in the village and turned it into a thriving business that draws a crowd throughout the year.

Snider started the company with her mother and sister in 1983 in the middle of the village of Corfu, having bought the take-out shop on the cheap. “The woman who owned it, she said, ‘Sundays are your good days. I made $34 Sunday.’ That’s what we grew from.”

In 2000, Snider’s sister left the business and she took it over full time. Three years ago, they gutted an empty bowling alley turned bar and grill nearby and converted it into a 120-seat freestanding restaurant that afforded them much needed additional parking. “I’ve always wanted a dine-in place, but we just didn’t have room for it,” Snider says.

Pizza Pantry Manager Adam Kahabka said he suggested the article to Pizza Today a year ago after the business made an obviously successful transition to the much larger location.

"It's (the article) is a pretty big for us," Kahabka said. "For a small business to grow that much in such a small community, especially some place as small as Corfu, we thought was exceptional."

Pizza Pantry has flirted with disaster a couple of times in the past year and come out unscathed. First, there was the tornado that blew right by its parking lot. Then there was a small fire in the basement on Jan. 10.

The fire, Kahabak said, did minimal damage and the restaurant was open for business at its usual time the next day.

Jason Howard Freeman, 28, of 5312 Genesee St., Bowmansville, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Freeman is accused of stealing a firearm from A & K Gun Sales in Corfu. Freeman was issued an appearance ticket. The case was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Eric D. Halsey, 18, of 3718 Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. On Dec. 31 at 10:45 p.m., Halsey allegedly grabbed a woman by the face and threatened to smash her car window and hurt her.

Ian C. Lawlis, 29, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. Lawlis allegedly backed into Ellicott Street unsafely and then sped away, traveling at 40 mph in a 30 mph zone. Lawlis was stopped by Sgt. Greg Walker. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Lawlis was allegedly operating on a suspended license. Lawlis was also cited for other alleged violations, such as unsafe backing, speeding, operating without insurance and failure to notify DMV of address change.

Ronald Louis MacGregor, 41, 6960 Cole Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a car driving without headlines and heavy front-end damage. The car was reportedly found at MacGregor's address. Upon investigation, Deputy James Diehl charged him with the listed offenses. Following arraignment, bail was set at $100.

David W. McCoy, 49, of 101 Kurtz Ave., Lancaster, is charged with DWI, driving left of pavement markings and failure to obey traffic control device. McCoy was stopped on Route 77 in Corfu at 8:21 p.m. Friday by Le Roy Police Officer Edward Caton and charged with the listed offenses.

A teen-age driver reportedly struck a deer Wednesday evening, over corrected and overturned her car in a ditch on Boyce Road in Pembroke.

Two of her passengers were injured.

Taken to UMMC for treatment were Randy J. Hesler, 16 and Amanda Richley, 18.

Kelsey Nichole Milks, 17, of 576 Main Road, Corfu, was driving a 2001 Pontiac sedan at 9:21 p.m. She was uninjured.

A fourth passenger, Abbigayle R. Henry, was also not hurt.

No citations were issued.

Deputy Patrick Reeves investigated the accident.

East Pembroke Fire is being dispatched to a reported dump trailer fire at Ed Arnold's Scrap Yard on Angling Road in Corfu.

UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: First responder reports metal shaving burning inside of a dump container. Units asked to respond non-emergency.

UPDATE 10:21 p.m.: East Pembroke Fire picking up. "It's just metal shavings. It's not going to go anywhere."

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Corfu Fire has been dispatched to the Pizza Pantry for a report of smoke in the basement.

UPDATE 8:09 p.m.: A first responder reports a smell of wood burning in the basement. The restaurant is being evacuated.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Darien and Corfu crews are still on scene and have not identified the source of the smoke smell, but report there is still some odor. Apparently, some melted wires were found above the office, but it's unclear if that could be a source of the smell.  The smell is still described as a wood smell.

UPDATE 9:07 p.m.: This is a possible electrical fire in a wall.  Alexander, Attica and Bennington are being dispatched to a staging area in Corfu, as well as Town of Batavia's Fast Team. Also, Alden's ladder truck is responding.

UPDATE 9:15 p.m.: Bennington is standing by at Darien Fire Hall, Attica is continuing to the staging area. Also, Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger is responding.  All units are responding none emergency. Wyoming dispatch was just informed, "It's all precautionary."

UPDATE 9:18 p.m.: A hot spot has been found in the basement. "The temperature is rising."

UPDATE 9:46 p.m.: A little while ago, a fire crew on the first floor reported it was about to spray water down the wall into the basement. Just now, a fire crew member in the basement reported his crew was exiting the basement. The thermal camera is now reporting temperatures in the 50s. National Grid is now on scene. Also, Route 77 in front of Pizza Pantry has iced over and town road crews are being requested.

UPDATE 9:55 p.m.: Standby units released. Darien Fire Chief reports fire source was located and extinguished and Darien units are picking up.

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Corfu Fire is being dispatched to report of a house fire at 2491 Angling Road, Corfu.

Also dispatched, East Pembroke and Batavia Fast Team.

First responder: "We have a fully involved house fire."

UPDATE 6:33 p.m.: Angling Road at Route 33 is being shut down. Everybody is reported out of the house.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: A full crew from Corfu is on scene. The roads are ordered shut to traffic. Two hand-lines are requested.

UPDATE 6:44 p.m.: Fire knocked out; air ventilation under way.

UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: Report is now, "Fire contained to one small area."

UPDATE 9:14 a.m., Friday: We received a fire report from the Sheriff's Office.  The house was a multi-unit dwelling owned by David Martino. The apparent cause of the fire was a space heater that overheated. Additional information left by firefighter Bruce Ross in a comment below, as well.

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