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Stafford students named to Deans' List at Herkimer County Community College

By Billie Owens

Matthew R. Riggi, of Stafford, has been named to the Deans' List at Herkimer County Community College. Majoring in Travel & Tourism: Hospitality & Events Management, Riggi was one of 600 students to earn academic honors for the fall 2011 semester.

The Deans' List recognizes students who have earned an average from 3.25 to 3.8 for that semester.

Herkimer County Community College is a unit of the State University of New York, located in Herkimer, about 20 miles east of Utica.

Driver who allegedly tried to flee from deputy faces felony DWI charge

By Howard B. Owens

A driver injured in an accident after he allegedly failed to stop for a deputy on Batavia Stafford Townline Road was jailed on $15,000 bail after he was released from the hospital Friday.

Keith Edward Povitch, 29, of Coward Road, Byron, was charged with felony DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, refusal to take a breath test, failure to yeld right of way to emergency vehicle and failure to keep right. 

The incident started at 4:08 p.m. after Deputy Brad Mazur allegedly observed Povitch's car blow through a stop sign at Batavia Elba Townline Road.

Povitch allegedly failed to stop after Mazur turned on his emergency lights.

As Povitch allegedly attempted to flee, he lost control of his car on Batavia Stafford Townline Road.

Mercy EMS transported Povitch to UMMC with facial injuries.

Upon his release from medical care, Povitch was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and then jailed.

(Initial Report)

Car crashes near Fotch Road after deputy attempts to stop vehicle

By Howard B. Owens

A driver apparently lost control while being pursued by a deputy on Townline Road at Fotch Road, Stafford, and crashed in a field.

Mercy EMS is dispatched.

The deputy is out with the driver.

The deputy initially called in a pursuit and within seconds said, "and he's crashed."

It's unclear how serious the injuries might be.

UPDATE 4:18 p.m.: The crash appears to be further up the road, where Batavia Stafford Townline Road becomes Batavia Elba Townline Road. Town of Batavia responding, with Stafford notified that the accident is in Stafford's district.

UPDATE 4:19 p.m.: One Batavia engine responding, non-emergency.

UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: Patient being transported to UMMC with law enforcement following.

Two-car accident at Route 5 and Roanoke Road, Stafford

By Billie Owens

A two-car, minor injury accident is reported at Route 5 and Roanoke Road in Stafford. Stafford fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: All patients will be sign-offs. Medics are to continue in non-emergency mode.

Jackknifed big rig in ditch leaking fuel on Route 237, Stafford

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer is reported to have jackknifed, landing in a ditch, and is now leaking diesel fuel on Route 237, south of Route 33. Stafford Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:04 p.m.: Dispatch reports that 100 gallons of diesel fuel have already spilt due to the rupture of the gas tank. The conditions on that stretch of roadway are very icy and responders are told to use caution.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Stafford is on scene along with a heavy duty wrecker.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: The truck was carrying 23 head of young dairy cattle. The roadway is solid ice and winds are hitting at least 30 mph across the open fields. Below, WHAM13's Sean Carroll battles the conditions while giving an update from the scene. He's being filmed by cameraman Tom Maloney. Fire crews are just now clearing the scene.

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.

Stafford resident admits to violating order of protection and DWI

By Howard B. Owens

A Stafford resident facing three felony counts of criminal contempt and a misdemeanor count of DWI faces a possible sentence of "shock probation" after pleading guilty Monday to two of the charges against him.

Eric Michael Duda, 50, who has been arrested a few times over the past two years, entered a guilty plea to one count of criminal contempt, 1st, and to DWI.

Duda will be sentenced in April and could receive some jail time followed by a period of probation.

Judge Robert C. Noonan also issued a new order of protection barring him from contact with Summer Ogden, the person Duda has previously had contact with in violation of an order of protection.

Ogden has reportedly also been ordered not to contact Duda and on two occasions when Duda was arrested for violation of the order of protection, Ogden was also arrested.

Duda is out of jail pending sentencing under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is required to be in his apartment from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. under the terms of his release.

Stafford student selected as member of Gettysburg College Musical Group

By Billie Owens

Erin O'Connor, of Stafford, has been selected to participate in the Gettysburg College Musical Group. She is a member of the Wind Symphony.

For almost 100 years, Gettysburg College students have been performing in musical groups at Gettysburg. The college has a long tradition of excellence in performance and offer a variety of music ensembles - choral, band, orchestra and jazz for students to join.

With a student body of approximately 2,600, Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park. The college was founded in 1832.

Stafford student awarded All-American scholarship to Alfred State College

By Billie Owens

A Genesee County resident has been awarded approximately $4,350 per year for the "All-American Scholarship" to attend Alfred State College.

Sutton Carhart, of Stafford, is slated to graduate in 2012 from LeRoy Jr.-Sr. High School and intends to enroll in the construction management engineering technology program.

The "All-American Scholarship" (free board) is awarded to students who possess an 88 or better high school average through their junior year and who have achieved at least a 1,100 combined SAT score or a composite ACT score of 24. Recipients must maintain a required GPA (grade-point average) to continue to receive free board in subsequent semesters.

Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Alfred State offers some 52 associate degree programs, 19 baccalaureate degree programs, and three certificate programs.

Law and Order: Traffic stops lead to untaxed cigarettes charges

By Howard B. Owens

Randolph Ricardo Scott, 59, of West Humboldt, Buffalo, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and speeding (62 in a 40 mph zone). Scott was stopped at 10:58 p.m. Wednesday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Scott was allegedly in possession of 800 untaxed cigarettes.

Marc Anthony Crispino, 20, of Cassandra Circle, Chili, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes. Crispino was stopped at 12:02 a.m., Dec. 6, on Route 77, Pembroke, for alleged traffic violations by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves reportedly found Crispino in possession of 800 untaxed cigarettes.

Martin Andrew Wade, 53, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and insufficient turn lamps. Wade was stopped at 10:19 p.m. Wednesday on Route 5, Stafford, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Tabatha Holly Clark, 25, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, charged with petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance not in original container. Clark is accused of shoplifting $22.67 in merchandise from Kmart.

Car on fire at Main and Fargo roads in Stafford

By Billie Owens

A totally "fully involved" car fire is reported at Main and Fargo roads in Stafford. Stafford Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: The fire is out. No one was hurt. Stafford is back in service.

Photos: Kids' night at DiSalvo's on Fargo Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

As of 7 p.m., more than 450 children had arrived at the DiSalvo residence on Fargo Road in Stafford to see Jim DiSalvo's spectacular Christmas light show.

Jim said it was the biggest turn out ever. 

Boy Scout troops from throughout the region were a big part of the attendance.

This year, high school students earning community service credits conducted tours of the multi-acre light display.

Photos: Winter wonderland of lights on Fargo Road

By Robin Walters

I am new to this area and have never experienced Fargo Road at Christmas time. If you have not taken your family there, I would highly recommend it. There are many beautiful displays. Just keep on driving down and you will run into this awesome winter wonderland. You can park your cars and get out and take a walk around the whole place. God bless all the owners for bringing some Christmas magic to all!

Driver reportedly slumped over wheel before striking another car head on

By Howard B. Owens

A deputy dispatched at 1:43 p.m., Thursday, to a report of an erratic driver on Route 33 saw the driver slumped over the steering wheel just before his large SUV veered left and struck another car head on.

The driver of the car, Gladys E. Worthington, 79, of Woodside Drive, Bergen, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by ground ambulance.

Worthington reportedly pulled to the side of the road when she saw the deputy's patrol vehicle heading her way with emergency lights flashing. 

Deputy Nate Balduf was attempting to stop a Chevy Suburban driven by Raymond T. Buckner, 67, of Maplewood Avenue, Spencerport.

Buckner's SUV, headed westbound on Route 33 near Caswell Road, swerved across the eastbound lane and struck Worthington's stopped car head on.

Worthington's car flew back eastbound and came to rest about 120 yards from the point of impact.

A witness, a truck driver from Akron (who probably didn't give us his real name), described the collision as looking like "two dragons colliding in midair."

Worthington was conscious and alert following the accident and as she was transported to Strong. Her injuries are not believed to be serious.

Buckner was also transported to strong and did not sustain any life threatening injuries.

No information was released on what Buckner's medical condition might have been prior to the accident.

No citations were issued.

The accident investigation was completed by Balduf.

(Initial report)

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.

Law and Order: Driver charged with leaving the scene of property damage accident

By Howard B. Owens

Joshua Jones, 20, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Jones is accused of his truck hitting a vacuum pump at a car wash on Pearl Street and then driving off. Jones turned himself in to Batavia PD after seeing a picture of his truck on The Batavian. Officer James DeFreze said Jones contacted him a very short time after the picture was posted and said he didn't know he had struck anything. "He was very cooperative," DeFreze said.

Michael David Pacer, 24, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Pacer was arrested at 2:31 a.m., Thursday, by Deputy John Weis following an investigation into a report of a car parked on Sweetland Road, Stafford.

Law and Order: Corfu car passenger accused of violence against woman behind the wheel

By Howard B. Owens

Patrick Raymond Krieger, 21, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with menacing, 3rd, reckless endangerment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Krieger was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile and Deputy James Diehl into a 9-1-1 hang up call in the Village of Corfu at 3:50 a.m., Saturday. Krieger is accused of grabbing the steering wheel of a vehicle he was riding in and jerking it in an alleged attempt to scare or cause harm to the female driver. The vehicle nearly struck a tree and a mailbox when the driver lost control of the car. Krieger then allegedly took the ignition key and shoved it into the neck of the woman and made threats of physical harm. When the woman wouldn't exit the vehicle, Krieger allegedly grabbed her by her throat and hair and threw her out of the car and onto the ground. Krieger was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Nicholas J. Pascucci Jr., 21, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate stop lamps. Pascucci's vehicle was stopped by Le Roy Police on Friday afternoon for an alleged traffic violation. The officer suspected there may be narcotics in the car and requested the assistance of the Sheriff's K-9 unit. The K-9 reportedly alerted on the vehicle and Pascucci was found allegedly to be in possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Pascucci was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Willie C. Armstrong, 40, of Tolland Avenue, East Hartford, Conn., is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Armstrong was charged following a traffic stop at 4:30 p.m., Nov. 20 on State Street, by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Christopher Nathaniel Johnson, 24, of Salina Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Johnson was charged following at traffic stop at 8:41 p.m., Saturday, on Route 33, Bergen, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

Two Stafford residents accused of selling drugs

By Howard B. Owens

A pair of Stafford residents were arrested this week, accused of selling drugs to an undercover agent of the Local Drug Task Force.

Taken into custody following a traffic stop was Pamela Predmore (McKenzie), 35, of Covell Road, Stafford.

Another resident of Covell Road, 33-year-old Jason L. McKenzie, turned himself in.

At the time of her stop, Predmore allegedly resisted arrest and was found in possession of a quantity of crack cocaine and a crack pipe.

She is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, resisting arrest and aggravated unlicensed operation.

McKenzie was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th.

Bail for Predmore was set at $5,000. McKenzie was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Uniformed deputies assisted the Drug Task Force in the arrest of Predmore.

Law and Order: Worker accused of stealing CO detector from home where he was employed

By Howard B. Owens

William Lee Lantz, 25, of South Main Street, Castile, is charged with petit larceny. Lantz is accused of stealing a CO detector from a residence in Stafford where he had been working.

Albert Ackerman, 47, of 930 George St., Mumford, is charged with DWI, driving on a suspended registration, driving on a suspended driver's license and operating with an open container. Ackerman was stopped by a Le Roy police officer at 11:50 a.m., Sunday, for an alleged traffic violation at Main and Mill streets. Ackerman was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Angel Gregory Andujar, 26, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana. Andujar was allegedly found in possession of metal knuckles and a small baggie of marijuana while walking on Perry Road. Andujar was reportedly walking away from a domestic incident involving family members.

Thomas Ralph, Gianvecchio, 60, of Mountain Ash Drive, Greece, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Gianvecchio is accused of writing letters to his estranged wife in violation of a protection order out of Monroe County Family Court.

Jason W. Killion, 30, of 5155 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and failure to keep right. Killion was stopped at an unspecified time Tuesday on Ellicott Street at Swan Street by Lt. James Henning.

Nathan Michael Haag, 20, of Steel Circle, Niagara Falls, is charged with petit larceny. Haag is accused of stealing two bottles of 5 Hour Energy Drink from Kmart on Monday.

Justin R. Martin, 28, of 232 Henrietta St., Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and passing a red light. Martin was stopped at 2:27 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street at Oak Street, Batavia, by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Mathew J. Pentycote, 23, of 22 Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal of breath test and moving from lane unsafely. Pentycote was stopped at 1:16 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street, by Officer Matthew Fleming.

A 17-year-old resident of 5270 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. The youth's car, while parked on school property, was allegedly found to contain alcoholic beverages.

Jason L. Cramer, 27, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, improper right turn and failure to keep right. Cramer was stopped at 1:02 a.m., Sunday, on Elm Street, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Gloria Susan Moretti, 34, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, a felony, and harassment, 2nd. Moretti was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute at 2:10 a.m., Oct. 29, at an address on Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, in which Moretti allegedly bit the victim twice and caused heavy damage to the victim's parked vehicle.

Devontre Levar Harvey, 27, of Garfield Street, Rochester, is charged with illegal possession of untaxed cigarettes. Harvey's car was stopped on Route 77 at 2:46 p.m., Nov. 5, after Genesee County dispatchers received a tip from a caller that a car occupied by two males were in possession of a large amount of untaxed cigarettes. Also charged was Holsey Wedlow, 59, of South Avenue, Rochester.

Scott Howard Baker, 49, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Baker was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at 3:08 a.m., Nov. 5, at an address on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

Gregory James Baker, 31, no permanent address, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Baker was allegedly found in possession of more than a dozen hypodermic needles and other paraphernalia while at his mother's residence.

James Anthony Dean, 54, of Brown Road, East Bethany, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater with one or more prior convictions), leaving the scene of a property damage accident, changing lanes when hazardous markings are in place and failure to keep right. Dean was arrested following an accident at 8:41 a.m., Nov. 2, on Herkimer Road, Darien.

Tractor-trailer pulls down pole and cable wires in Stafford

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer is believed to have snagged cable wires and snapped the pole they were attached to at the intersection of Griswold and Caswell roads in Stafford. Dispatchers have notified the cable company.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: A deputy at the scene has ordered that no tractor-trailers be allowed to travel on Caswell Road for the time being. South Byron fire police are handling situation. They were deployed to provide mutual aid to Stafford, which was busy with a nearby traffic accident.

UPDATE 1:38 p.m.: They want to detour truck traffic to Route 237.

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