Skip to main content

Stafford

Photos: Stafford Fire Department parade

By Howard B. Owens

Every year, the Le Roy Fire Department walks with its antique, used-to-be-horse-drawn pumper and fire hose to Stafford for the Stafford Fire Department's annual parade. First Assistant Chief Tom "Woody" Woods said it's a tradition that has been ongoing for at least 25 years. Department members, along with Pavilion firefighters, walk the two buggies all the way from Le Roy to Stafford, starting at noon, stopping for a picnic along the way.

More parade pictures after the jump:

 

Police Beat: Three alleged DWIs

By Howard B. Owens

Melissa Christine Schnitzer, 22, of Daunton Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to reduce speed. Schnitzer was stopped at 1:21 a.m., Friday, by Sgt. Brian Frieday in the area of 6734 Randall Road, Stafford.

Denise M. Groff, 33, of Highland Parkway, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to keep right. Groff was stopped at 1:38 a.m., Friday, on Route 33, Stafford, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Jeremy M. Denton, 24, of 481 Ladue Road, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and failure to keep right. Denton was stopped at 1:24 a.m., Friday, by Le Roy Police Sgt. Michael Hare on West Main Street, Le Roy.

James D. Holstein, 60, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, grand larceny, 4th, grand larceny, 3rd. Holstein was taken into custody by State Police for an alleged incident on Jan. 12, 2009. No further details available.

Police Beat: Elba man accused of possessing unregistered handgun

By Howard B. Owens

Fernando Casteneda, 47, of Transit Raod, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th (unlicensed handgun). Deputy Chris Parker responded to Casteneda's residence at 9:52 a.m., Sunday, following a complaint of an alleged domestic dispute in which it was reported Casteneda had a gun. Casteneda is accused of possessing an unlicensed Hi Point 40 Cal semi-automatic pistol.

Lucus M. Hamlin, 32, of Canaseraga, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hamlin was charged for allegedly driving drunk in the Darien Lake parking lot at 12:16 a.m., Sunday.

Justin D. McQuillen, 21, of Freeman Road, Byron, is charged with DWI and speeding. McQuillen was stopped at 11:52 p.m., Saturday, on Route 237, Byron, by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Raymond William Schramm, 24, of W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Schramm was charged after a 4-year-old child reportedly entrusted to his care was found wondering on the shoulder of Route 5.

The following individuals were charged with disorderly conduct following an alleged fight at Darien Lakes Theme Park at 9:15 p.m., Sunday: Octavia M. Kimble, 19, of Rochester; a 17-year-old from Rochester; Tara B. Moore, 19, of Rochester; Corey M. Bogdanovitch, 21, of Waterloo; a 17-year-old from Rochester; Katlin C. Baily, 18, of Clyde; Tasia D. Blocker, 20, of Rochester.

Theodore D. Lazik, 27, of 73 River St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, running a red light and unlicensed operation. Lazik was stopped by Officer J.A. Davis at 10:35 p.m., Saturday, at the intersection of Main and Bank streets.

Katrina I. Drake, 20, of 21 Wood St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Drake is accused of breaking the window of a neighbor's house on Friday. She was located and arrested on Saturday.

Gregory Seppe, 52, of Batavia (no permanent street address), is charged with attempted petit larceny and criminal trespass, 3rd. Seppe is accused entering the rear fenced yard of a local resident and attempting to steal a portion of the white vinyl fence. Seppe was reportedly observed by the resident. Seppe was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Brittany LeeAnn Ellis, 21, of Mill Street, Nunda, was arrested on a bench warrant for petit larceny. Ellis was turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.

A 17-year-old is charged with petit larceny and illegal entry into the country. The youth was allegedly caught concealing two bottles of cologne in his pants pocket. He allegedly left the Kmart store without paying for the cologne. After receiving an appearance ticket for the alleged petit larceny, he was turned over to ICE on the immigration charge.

A 16-year-old from Albion is charged with petit larceny for alleged shoplifting from Kmart.

Steven L. Maltese, 41, of Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Maltese was stopped by State Police at 12:05 a.m., Saturday, on Center Street, Batavia.

DWI charge made following accident that led to car fire

By Howard B. Owens

An accident on Prole Road, Stafford, early Sunday morning led to a vehicle fire and an arrest for the 21-year-old driver on a charge of alleged DWI.

Adam B. Thomas, of 191 S. Main St., Batavia, was headed North on Prole at 5:33 a.m. when his 1999 Dodge sedan reportedly left the road, hit a rock pile and then a group of trees before catching on fire.

Thomas allegedly fled the scene and was located later.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Tim Weis, who charged Adams with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of an accident, unlicensed operation, no seat belt, driving on a suspended license and speeding.

Photos: A morning tour

By Howard B. Owens

I was out on a story that didn't pan out this morning, but being out and about a little earlier than usual, I was struck how great the sky looked to the east, so I decided to drive out that way in search of photo opportunities. The better light was probably 30 or 45 minutes earlier before I got to any place worth taking pictures, but here are three photos from my short drive.

Above a group of barns on Britt Road near Warner Road.

I was struck by these two bare trees in an emerging cornfield.

Douglas Lake on Route 237.

Police Beat: Man accused of standing drunk in middle of Pembroke Road, obstructing traffic

By Howard B. Owens

Richard John Abramski, 22, of Main Road, East Pembroke, is charged with disorderly conduct. Abramski is accused of obstructing traffic in the area of 1993 Genesee Street, East Pembroke, by standing in the drive lane, causing traffic to move to avoid hitting him. Abramski was allegedly drunk at the time. The alleged incident occurred at 11:23 p.m., Saturday.

Danny J. Torok, 23, of 12 Elm St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Torok is accused of slapping, pushing and pulling the hair of his girlfriend while holding his 4-month-old daughter. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Jeremy Dean Lyons, 25, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unsafe lane change and speeding. Lyons was stopped by Deputy Thomas Sanfratello at 5:25 p.m., June 1, at 14 Weber St., Oakfield.

Joseph Stephen Vernaccini, 34, of Clipnock Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right and refusal to take breath test. Vernaccini was reportedly involved in a one-car accident 12:44 a.m., Saturday, in the area of 7000 Route 5, Le Roy. Vernaccini was jailed on $500 bail.

Justino Sanchez, 50, of West Ridge Road, Brockport, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right, improper right turn. Sanchez was stopped by Deputy James Diehl at 10:47 p.m., Friday, in the area of Route 98 and Edgerton Road, Elba. He was jailed on $1,800 bail.

A 17-year-old from Clarence was arrested by State Police in Darien at 8:05 p.m., Wednesday. She is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, crossing road hazard markings and unlawful possession of marijuana.

A 16-year-old from Williamsville was arrested by State Police at 8:05 p.m., Wednesday, in Batavia for unlawful possession of alcohol.

John J. Smalley, 47, of Oakfield, is charged with harassment and criminal mischief. Smalley was arrested by State Police at 12:50 a.m., Sunday, in the area of 7020 Macumber Road, Oakfield. No further details were released.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

4:57 p.m., June 5, Bernd Road, Pavilion, two vehicles; Driver 1: Laurie Jean Lerkins, 33, of Le Roy; Driver 2: Heather M. Coates, 24, of Rochester. One injury reported.

4:46 p.m., June 3, Genesee Street, Pembroke, one vehicle: Driver 1: Jennifer L. Mroz, 49, of Batavia. One injury reported.

10:32 p.m., June 3, Lewiston Road, Batavia, two vehicles: Driver 1: Robert M. Laskowski, 24, of Chaffee; Driver 2: Matthew J. Quinn, 25, of Attica. No injuries reported.

Llamas lolling in Stafford yard

By Billie Owens

Llamas, or possibly alpacas, are reported in a yard close to the roadway, unsupervised, at 6234 Route 5 in Stafford.

Law enforcement is checking the scene.

UPDATE (by Howard) 1:50 p.m.: A resident showed up, the llamas are being corralled. Law enforcement reports that neighbors say, "this happens all the time."

Police Beat: DWI arrest made in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Kathyrn D. Decker, 26, of 2250 River Road, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Decker was allegedly observed at 2:40 a.m., Thursday, by Sgt. Michael Hare of the Le Roy Police Department speeding on West Main Street in Le Roy.

Tiffany Marie Sheffer, 19, of Transit Road, Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. Sheffer is accused of stealing $66.95 in merchandise from Target. She was arrested at 3:45 p.m., Wednesday.

Alex Patrick Brasky, 19, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Brasky was charged following a traffic stop in the area of 301 Oak St., Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl at 11 p.m., May 12.

Aaron J. Horn, 35, of Fairport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation. Horn was arrested by State Police in Stafford at 9:50 a.m., Tuesday. He was jailed on cash bail. No further details available.

Michael C. Tunley, 39, of Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, motor vehicle registration suspended and aggravated unlicensed operation. Tunley was stopped by State Police at 3:05 p.m., Tuesday, on Route 33 in Stafford.

Police Beat: Man accused of possessing marijuana and mushrooms

By Howard B. Owens

Paul Nelson Henn, 19, of North Tonawanda, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of alcohol under 21. Deputy Brian Thompson responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle parked on a property on Prole Road, Stafford. Upon arrival, Deputy Thompson allegedly found Henn in possession of marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms and alcohol.

Richard E. Albee, 45, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Albee was arrested at 4:08 p.m., Sunday, by State Police at the Batavia Motel on Route 5. No further details were released.

Police Beat: Driver charged with DWI following obscenity complaint

By Howard B. Owens

Christopher W. Fowler, 21, of 3340 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, harassment and obscenity, 3rd. Fowler is accused of sending an obscene photo by phone to another person and harassing that person. While investigating the alleged complaint, Sgt. John Peck came into contact with Fowler driving on West Main Street at 6:15 p.m, Thursday. Fowler was allegedly found driving drunk.

A 15-year-old from Bethany is charged with assault, 3rd. The youth was arrested by State Police following an alleged incident at 1:45 p.m., Wednesday. No further details were released.

Janet L. Grossman, 43, of Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. Grossman was arrested by State Police on Tuesday in connection with an alleged incident on May 1 in the Town of Batavia. No further details were released.

Joshua Gonzalez, 19, of Staten Island, is charged with petit larceny. Gonzalez was arrested by State Police on Monday in connection with an alleged incident from May 9 in the Town of Batavia. Gonzalez was jailed without bail. No further details were released.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

10:03 a.m., May 11, Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, one vehicle; Driver 1: Dale C. Burroughs, 50, of Batavia. No injuries reported.

4:57 p.m., May 11, off road/name not found, Town of Pavilion, one vehicle; Driver 1: Jeffery S. Stebbins, 43, of North Tonawanda. No injuries reported.

9:15 a.m., May 11, Thruway, mile marker 404.7, two vehicles: Driver 1: Toni S. Paul, 57, of Longmont, Colo.; Driver 2: Marvin L. Jacobson, 27, of Pavilion. One injury reported.

10:41 a.m., May 11, Thruway, Le Roy exit, one vehicle; Driver 1: Duane A. Brecke, 53, of Marshfield, Wis. No injuries reported.

Police Beat: Stafford man accused of using shotgun during domestic dispute

By Howard B. Owens

Jeffrey M. Kohorst, 21, of 6105 Main Road, Stafford, is charged with menacing and reckless endangerment. Kohorst is accused of getting into a domestic dispute with a former girlfriend and her current boyfriend at the Kohorst residence. While the former girlfriend removed her property from the residence, Kohorst allegedly retrieved a shotgun from inside his home and confronted the new boyfriend demanding that he leave the property. Kohorst allegedly followed his threat by firing one shot in the direction of, and in close proximity to, the boyfriend. Kohorst was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Frank E. Finnin, 44, of 10 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Finnin reportedly was wanted on a warrant out of City Court for failure to answer an alleged petit larceny charge. Finnin was spotted by Officer Dan Coffey at 10:15 a.m., Friday, walking on West Main Street.

Timothy Lee Taylor, 35, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Taylor is accused of violating an order of protection out of Family Court that limited the number of calls he could make to his ex-girlfriend. Taylor allegedly made more than 355 calls over an unspecified amount of time.

Scot G. Judd, 27, of Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Judd was arrested at 9:47 p.m., Wednesday, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, who was conducting an investigation at the Mark Trial Hotel when he found Judd allegedly in possession of marijuana.

Elizabeth Anne Holly, 46, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, driving left of the pavement markings. Holly was stopped by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello at 2:14 a.m., May 1, for allegedly crossing the double-yellow lines as she exited Valu Plaza on West Main Street.

Taheed Makal Moffett, 25, of Rochester, is charged with conspiracy, 5th. Moffett is accused of conspiring with another person in Genesee County Jail to promote prision contraband. No further details were released.

Jeffery Matthew Kaczmarek, 41, of Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, driving left of the pavement markings, moving from lane unsafely. Kaczmarek was stopped by Deputy Jason Saile at 2:26 a.m, Saturday, on Route 20 in Alexander.

Michael James Killigrew, 21, of Corning, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, and moving from lane unsafely. Killigrew was arrested by Deputy Jason Saile at 2:55 a.m., Saturday, on Route 20 in Bethany following a report of a one-car accident. Killigrew reportedly swerved to avoid striking a deer and his car wound up in a ditch.

Jason Guy Nichols, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass and harassment. Nichols is accused of entering a residence on East Main Street in Batavia without permission. While inside he allegedly harassed a woman during a domestic dispute. At his arraignment in Batavia Town Court, an order of protection was issued.

Police Beat: Stafford man accused of harassment

By Howard B. Owens

James Daniel Pontillo, 43, of Stafford, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Pontillo was arrested for an incident that allegedly occurred Feb. 17 at 5122 Clinton St. Road in Batavia. The Sheriff's Office news release says Pontillo allegedly "subjected a female to physical contact." No further details were released.

Aaron J. Allen, 21, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. Allen was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident on April 7. No further details were provided.

(name redacted upon request), 22, of Rochester, is charged with DWI and with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Felong was arrested at 3 a.m., Thursday by State Police on the Thruway in Pembroke following a single-car property damage accident.

National Day Of Prayer

By Tracy Byrnes

        PRAYER...AMERICA'S HOPE

THURSDAY, MAY 6TH

Millions of Americans will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast to observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 6th. The theme for this year is “Prayer for Such a Time as This” and is based on the verse from Nahum 1:7 which states: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”

Event Date and Time
-

One driver hurt in crash at routes 33 and 237

By Howard B. Owens

One person was injured when two cars collided at the intersection of routes 33 and 237 in Stafford this afternoon.

Sgt. Greg Walker's report says that a car was northbound on Route 237 at 12:41 p.m. and that it stopped at the stop sign, but then the driver allegedly proceeded across Route 33.

The second driver tried to avoid a collision, but the two cars hit on the shoulder of Route 33.

Injured was Ann C. Sewert, 53, of 8179 Prole Road Extension, Byron. She was driving a 2005 Toyota SUV on Route 33.

Sewert was taken by ground ambulance to UMMC with complaints of head and back pain.

The driver coming off of Route 237 is identified as Nicole A. Yeo, 23, of 1809 Saltvale Road, Warsaw.

Yeo was not injured in the crash. She was cited for alleged failure to yield right-of-way at a posted intersection.

Photo: Joe and Lois serving spaghetti

By Howard B. Owens

Joe and Lois Gerace were in the Stafford Fire Hall this evening serving up heaping helpings of Joe's famous spaghetti. The dinner was a benefit for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

I'm proud to say that in the Chinese auction, Billie and I won a painting by John Hodgins and a Batavia Muckdogs sign with a mounted baseball bat.

Smoke in basement reported in residence on Fotch Road

By Howard B. Owens

A caller has reported smoke coming from the basement at a residence at 7875 Fotch Road, Byron.

The residence was reported still occupied at the time of the dispatch.

Stafford and Town of Batavia Fire have been dispatched.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: Residence is evacuated. Asst. chief on scene reports, "nothing showing."

UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: Chief reports light smoke. He's requested a thermal-imaging camera to check the structure in the basement.


View Larger Map

An evening with the Stafford Fire Department

By Howard B. Owens

This locomotive fire this evening sounded pretty interesting, so I drove out to get some pictures. The place I found to park required me to hike through some brush. The idea of making the same trip back wasn't appealing, so I asked Stafford 2nd Asst. Chief Scott Kibler for a ride to my truck.

We weren't on the road 90 seconds when a call came in for a brush fire on Roanoke Road, so at that point, I was along for the ride, like it or not (I thought it was great to go out with Stafford on a call from beginning to end).

After the jump are pictures from both the train situation and the Roanoke brush fire.

Thanks to Chief Dave Rumsey for getting me back to my truck after the incidents ended.

Authentically Local