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Police Beat: Choking law used in alleged domestic incident case

By Howard B. Owens

Patrick John Tomai, 30, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and endangering the welfare of a child. Tomai is accused of being involved in a domestic dispute with his wife at 8:38 p.m. Saturday while his children were present.

April Lynn Burke, 30, of Golfshire Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to signal. Burke was stopped at 12:33 a.m. Saturday on Route 33, Town of Batavia, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Stephen Wade Thompson, 34, of West Main Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Thompson is accused of trying to conceal $64.78 in stolen merchandise at Kmart in the box of an air conditioner he had purchased and picked up from layaway.

Ricky Oliver Cooper, 34, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and no seat belt. Cooper was stopped at 10:33 p.m. Sunday on Sweetland Road, Stafford, by Deputy Matthew Butler.

Andrew Charles Maier, 25, Sumner Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of pavement markings. Maier was stopped at 2:41 a.m. Monday on Broadway Road, Alexander, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Two arrests, 31 underage drinking citations at Sugarland concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following arrests were made by the Sheriff's Office on July 8 during the Sugarland concert at Darien Lake Performatin Arts Center.

Tina M. Smith, 42, of  Coburn Street, Elmira is charged with harassment, 2nd. Smith is accused of striking a security guard will being ejected.

Margaret B. DeMarco, 18, of Hughes Street, Buffalo is charged with false personation and possession of alcohol under age 21. DeMarco is accused of providing a false name and being under 21 in possession of alcohol.

After the jump, a list of citations issued for alleged underage drinking. 

 

 

John C. Koenig, 20, of Cary Avenue, Oakfield
Molly M. Erickson, 18, of Jackman Road, Elma
A 16-year-old of Townline Road, Elma
McKenzie E. Harris, 18, of Fisher Road, Oakfield
Matthias J. Schuster, 20, of Liberty Pole Road, Dansville
(name removed upon request), 19, of Bernhardt Drive, Snyder
(name removed upon request), 19, of Mill Street, Williamsville
(name redacted upon request), 19, of Richmond Avenue, Lancaster
Jessica M. Lorusso, 18, of Bridgewater Court, Lancaster
(name redacted upon request), 18, of Ransom Road, Lancaster
(name redacted upon request), 18, of Anthony Street, Lancaster
A 16-year-old of Lake Avenue, Orchard Park
Maureen L. Donohoe, 18, of Bentley Circle, Lancaster
Samantha L. Carson, 19, of Elm Place Lancaster
Jacqueline R. Andrusz, 19, of N. Maple Drive, Williamsville
Mallorie R. Stone, 19, of N. Burdick Street, E. Syracuse
Kelsey L. Temple, 19, of Kenner Road, Minoa
Paige K. Kelly, 19, of Lighthouse Road, Hilton
Trisha N. Duchyns, 19, of Squareview Lane, Rochester
Amanda K. Payment, 20, of Peck Road, Hilton
Brianna L. Venditti, 20, of Curtis Parkway, Tonawanda
Trea H. Watts, 19, of Sweethome Road, Amhurst
Erin K. Philipson, 18, of Highland Road, Ithaca
Stacy L. Squire, 19, of Cherry Street, Batavia
Lindsey E. Penders, 20, of Shepherd Road, Batavia
Melissa A. Smith, 20, of Allenview Drive, Batavia
Brittany L. Morelli, 20, of Lovers Lane Road, Batavia
Jared M. Mutka, 20, of Williamsburg Lane, Lancaster
Nicole E. Jones, 20, of Monroe Avenue, Brockport
Christine E. Dorson, 19, of South 17th Street, Olean
Kathryn E. Horrigan, 20, of Eagle Street, Cooperstown

Photo: Summer rec program visits fire station

By Howard B. Owens

Children participating in one of the city's summer recreation programs paid a visit to City of Batavia Fire Department today and got to meet firefighters and learn about their jobs and see the equipment they use.

Smoke reported on east side of Fargo Road, Darien

By Billie Owens

Smoke is reportedly coming from the woods along the east side of Fargo Road, south of Reynolds Road, in Darien. Darien Volunteer Fire Department is responding. The caller said there was a large amount of black smoke pouring from the area.

UPDATE 8:42 p.m.: Firefighters on scene report that, at this time, the fire is deemed to be a controlled burn.

UPDATE 8:52 p.m.: It is a controlled burn and those responsible for it are putting it out. Darien fire is back in service.

Anglers vs. swimmers at Munson Street Bridge, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Anglers on the Munson Street Bridge (also known as the Red Bridge) in the Town of Le Roy are complaining that some swimmers have shown up, thereby impinging on their afternoon fishing enjoyment. Law enforcement is called to handle the matter.

Photo: Reader looking for owner of lost dog

By Howard B. Owens

Reader Jane Johnson said this pooch appeared in their yard this morning, very friendly, loves being around kids and had a collar and rabies tags.

But she has no idea who owns the dog.

The owner can contact Johns at 739-0378.

Controlled burn that may have spread reported on Bloomingdale Road

By Billie Owens

A controlled burn that may have spread is reported at 1046 Bloomingdale Road in Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

A live wire that is arcing is also reported there. National Grid has been notified. No ETA given.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: The fire chief says the situation is under control. National Grid is expected any minute now.

Iraq vet, double amputee, dies after being ejected from ride at Darien Lake Theme Park

By WBTA News

The victim of a tragic roller coaster accident at Darien Lake Theme Park this afternoon was 29-year-old James Hackemer, of Gowanda. He is a veteran of the Iraq War and a double-amputee. One of his legs was removed at the hip, and other below just above the knee.

The Ride of Steel is a lap-harness-only roller coaster. Its restraint system includes a yellow lap bar that covers approximately hip-to-hip, and a lap-only seat belt. There are no other bodily restraints built into the ride. Hackemer was not wearing prosthetic legs this afternoon.

At a news conference this evening, Genesee County Sheriff's Sergeant Greg Walker confirmed that Hackemer was riding in the front seat of the front car on The Ride of Steel at the time of the incident. He was sitting next to a family member. Sgt. Walker estimated the roller coaster was traveling about 50 mph. He could not say how far Hackemer had fallen.

Sheriff's investigations will continue tomorrow. Darien Lake officials and the NYS Department of Labor are also looking into the matter. No charges have been filed.

Park officials declined comment this evening, other than to say that the theme park will remain open on its normal schedule tomorrow. The Ride of Steel will remain closed. A message to the public has been posted on the Darien Lake website.

PHOTO: Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Mullen, left, and Sgt. Greg Walker. Photo by Geoff Redick of WBTA.

CORRECTION (1:04 a.m.): Victim's name updated to reflect proper spelling.

Possible house fire reported on Hutchins Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A possible house fire is reported on Hutchins Street near South Jackson Street. A neighbor reports smoke is pouring from the roof. City fire department is responding.

UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: Firefighters on scene see fire and smoke coming from the area of 146 Hutchins St. Southwest winds at 1 mph. "It's a personal bonfire." City ladder truck 15 in service. Police who responded said the smoke was caused by juveniles at the site putting leaves on the fire. The bonfire is apparently legal.

UPDATE 10:32 p.m.: The people enjoying the bonfire put it out.

Eleven homes open Sunday for annual tour

By Billie Owens

Here's a press release about Sunday's local home and garden tour.

The Landmark Society of Genesee County, Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and St. James Episcopal Church are collaborating for a July 10 home and garden tour.

The event will run from 1 – 5 p.m. and 11 homes are included on the tour. The ticket price is $20, $15 for Landmark Society members, and can be purchased at Harrington’s Greenhouse in Batavia and the St. James Church office.

After visiting the gardens, there will be a dessert reception and presentation by Master Gardeners and a question-and-answer period at St. James Church. Door prizes will also be awarded donated by local greenhouses.

For more information, please call 343-6802.

Rider falls off roller coaster and dies at Darien Lake Theme Park

By Billie Owens

A patron, believed to be a male, fell off the Ride of Steel roller coaster (also known as Superman) this afternoon and died at Darien Lake Theme Park, according to Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha.

No other information is available at this time.

UPDATE (8:20 p.m.): According to a park spokesperson, the victim is an adult male. The accident happened at about 5:30 p.m. The ride and surrounding area are closed while the incident is under investigation.

Car versus motorcycle accident at Walnut and Law in the city

By Billie Owens

A car versus motorcycle accident, with injuries, is reported at Walnut and Law streets. The caller at the scene reports the motorcyclist is conscious. City fire and police along with Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 7:17 p.m.: Portions of the streets will be shut down temporarily due to the accident.

UPDATE 7:32 p.m.: The motorcyclist is being taken to UMMC with non-life-threatening injuries. The fire engine is back in service.

Motor-vehicle accident with injuries on Thruway

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 395. One person is lying on the ground. East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: Four vehicles are involved. A medic on scene says injuries are minor. A second ambulance is requested.

UPDATE 6:51 p.m.: East Pembroke command ordered Mercy Squad 1 to go back in service.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: A State Trooper is on scene and a tow truck is en route.

Brush fire on Galloway Road, Town of Batavia

By Billie Owens

A brush fire is reported in front of 3445 Galloway Road, just west of Kelsey Road. Town of Batavia Volunteer Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: "It looks like a controlled burn in a swampy area by the road. But nobody's around," says an officer at the scene. A non-emergency response is requested.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: Logs about 60-feet long and a tire are burning. They are not sure if the logs are within DEC regulations, but they know the tire is not. They are going to put out the fire "in leiu of a report."

NYC bound

By Howard B. Owens

Shortly I'll be on the road to Buffalo to catch a flight to New York City.

While I'm gone, breaking news will be covered by Billie and WBTA.

I return Sunday.

In NYC, I'll be the guest of the New York Times and New York University for an event called the "Hyperlocal Conclave."

"Hyperlocal" is this made-up word that all of the news industry uses now without really understanding what it means to describe news sites like The Batavian. I think what we do is just good, old-fashioned -- the way newspapers used to do it -- local journalism. But it's such a radical concept -- to concentrate coverage on just one community, even though it's very old school, that the industry had to give a name to the business model.

The Batavian is unique among "hyperlocal" news sites in that it actually makes money -- not a lot, but we keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. There's only a handful of other sites in the United States that can make the same claim. So, when these conferences come up, I periodically get invited to talk about how and why we can get sponsorships from, say, more than 100 local businesses.

Obviously, I'm proud what what we've done with The Batavian and continue to be grateful for the support of the community, readers and advertisers. Thank you.

While in NYC, my short stay will be concentrated in the area around NYU, which I think is Greenwich Village/Soho -- an area of the city that I've never seen much of before.

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