A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 3210 Pearl St. Road. Injuries are minor.

East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

Joshua Stanley Martaus, 27, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument and petit larceny. Martaus was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Walmart. During the investigation by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, he was allegedly found in possession of two hypodermic syringes.

Tyler Scott Brand, 19, of Pearl Street, Springville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and operating in violation of a conditional-use license. Brand was stopped for allegedly going 49 in a 39 mph zone at 10:13 p.m., Saturday on Route 77 in Darien by Deputy Ron Meides.

Thomas R. Hendershott, 41, Sunrise Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and operating without insurance. Hendershott was stopped at 10:46 p.m. Tuesday on Stevens Street, Oakfield, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Jeffrey Donahue, who spent more than 35 years working in local media, has been named full-time director of the Holland Land Office Museum.

Donahue has been serving in that capacity on an interim basis for several months. The HLOM board approved his permanent position earlier this week.

For anybody who has visited the museum recently and had the good fortune to have Donahue provide the museum tour, it's clear Donahue knows local history thoroughly and is passionate about it.

"I always say history is like producing a television show," said Donahue, who worked for 25 years as a producer, editor and photographer for the Batavia cable channel. "People come into the museum expecting to be told a story, a story of history, and that's what you do in television. You tell a story."

Donahue also spent 10 years with WBTA.

Bob Turk, president of the HLOM board, said the board is confident Donahue will continue to be a real asset to the museum.

"We are very pleased that Jeffrey accepted the position," Turk said. "Not only does Jeffrey posses a great knowledge of local history but also has the vision to move the museum forward."

Here's an advisory notice from the City of Batavia to residents regarding some road repairs.

Please be advised that Tom Greenauer Development has been contracted by the City of Batavia to replace the sanitary sewers, house lateral service to the ROW and repave the roads on North Street from Seneca Avenue to Ross Street, and on Ross Street from North Street to Miller Avenue. Work is anticipated to begin on Tuesday, July 5.

It will be necessary to close the roads to thru traffic from July 5 to Sept. 9; however, there will be an opening in the barricades to accommodate you in order that you may have access to your driveway/home. This opening is also to accommodate emergency vehicles. It is our intent that the closure is not to be used by the public or yourselves as a route for thru traffic. If your purpose of travel is other than to get to your home please use an alternate route.

There may be occasions where you will not be able to park in your driveway; however, there will be areas that you will be able to park in close proximity of your home.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may impose on you, however, this closure is necessary in the milling and re-paving of the roads and is vital to your safety and the safety of the public.

Call the following phone number if a problem should occur: 1-716-675-9434.

Thank you for your cooperation, patience and consideration.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at the intersection of Lewiston and Salt Works roads in Alabama. A medic at the scene reports minor injuries.

Alabama Fire Department and medics responding.

Tanner Kolb is a 2011 graduate of John Kennedy Elementary School. She will enter sixth grade at Batavia Middle School this fall. Earlier this year, Tanner was nominated by her fifth-grade teacher, Cassandra Phillips, for the Junior National Youth Leadership Conference that is held in Washington, D.C.

Any financial assistance to help offset the costs of Tanner's trip would be greatly appreciated, says her mom, Cheri Kolb.

Tanner was accepted into the program and is scheduled to attend Oct. 8-13. Her teacher believes her to posses the academic requirements, strength of character, and leadership ability that are the considerations for this conference.

During the conference week, Tanner will attend focus groups revolving around the themes of leadership, freedom, struggle, courage, change, and making a difference at home. She will have various opportunities such as touring Our Nation’s Memorials, the National Museums of AmericanHistory and the American Indian, a walking tour of the Capitol, a photo opportunity at the White House, and a sleepover at the Maryland Science Center.

The goal and purpose of this conference are to build on leadership traits including character, communication, problem solving, respect and teamwork.

Although three students from John Kennedy School were nominated, Tanner is the sole student who is planning to attend the conference and represent the Batavia City School District. She is eager to return home with an expanded set of skills to share right here in our community.

Tanner’s family has planned several fundraisers (to be announced) and has applied for scholarship assistance as the cost of tuition and airfare are significant. There has also been an account set up in Tanner’s name at East End Beverage, on East Main Street, for can and bottle returns.

A motor-vehicle accident, believed to be without injuries, is reported in front of Pauly's Pizza, 314 Ellicott St., Batavia. It is blocking traffic. Batavia PD on scene.

Here's a press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

As Independence Day lies just around the corner, the people of the United States owe a “Happy 235th Birthday” to Lady Liberty.

Friends and families will gather together to celebrate, and celebrate they should! We have a lot to be thankful for as Americans, leading the world in freedom, liberty and opportunity. We are all truly blessed to live in the greatest nation on Earth.

However, we have not earned our place as world leaders by chance. The sacrifice and selflessness displayed by the men and women of our armed forces for hundreds of years have allowed the United States to obtain and preserve our status as the standard that every other nation looks to for guidance.

In Western New York, our communities are filled with these courageous heroes who have served in the past, while our children and grandchildren continue our proud traditions overseas. I implore the
people of our community to take a moment this Independence Day to thank a veteran for everything they have done to make this country great.

The Le Roy Moose Family Center will host MooseCreek 2011 July 15-17, coinciding with Le Roy's Oatka Festival.

The annual party under the big tent in the parking lot benefits Mercy Flight. The center is located at 21 Bank St. along the banks of the mighty Oatka Creek.

Over the years and with your support, this event has meant tens of thousands of dollars in donations to Mercy Flight, so come on out and help make it another record year!

Friday night the gates open at 6 for the MooseCreek kickoff party, and the music starts at 9, featuring Rochester’s premiere modern rock band, The Guy Smiley Band. Saturday, the fun starts at noon with DJ Kevin until 6, Savage Cabbage at 7, followed by MooseCreek legends and one of the leading AC/DC tribute bands in the industry, Ballbreaker. Sunday afternoon the music starts at 2 and goes until about 9 with a country jamboree hosted by Eddie Lee and Closing Time.

Also scheduled to appear are Cross Roads Project, Mayberry After Midnight, The Frank Hill Band and Rebel's Posse.

All weekend long there will be good food cooking, great drink prices, and lots of fun! The event is open to the public rain or shine with NO COVER charge, but donations for Mercy Flight are always welcome.

An accident involving a tractor-trailer and a car is reported at 3924 W. Main St. in Batavia. It appears the tractor-trailer rear-ended the car. The woman who was driving the car is injured and may need extrication.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding. The location is in front of Pyramid Prosthetics and next to Johnson Automotive.

Mercy Flight is put on stand by.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: The medic on scene has determined Mercy Flight is not needed.

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: The woman is out of the vehicle.

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: The victim is being transported to UMMC complaining of minor arm pain and some pain to the back of her head.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: The roadway is re-opened.

A bear seemed to be in the market for a new set of tires yesterday evening, paying a visit to Sloat Tires on Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

The photos were taken by Diane Scott and provided by Todd Sloat.

CORRECTION: The bear was actually shopping for tires THIS MORNING. Yesterday evening, it was reportedly seen checking into the educational opportunities at GCC.

A rollover accident with minor injuries is reported in the area of 7193 Warboys Road, Bergen.

The victim is reportedly out of the car and walking around.

Bergen Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:17 a.m.: Confirmed minor injury. Vehicle is on its roof.

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A pair of Jackson Street residents are accused of selling drugs and a sawed-off shotgun during the course of a month-long investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

The duo was arrested Tuesday following a traffic stop by task force members on Federal Drive, Batavia.

Taken into custody were Marcos A. Torres, 29, and Marissa B. Royse, 20.

Torres and Royse are accused of selling cocaine and marijuana along with a 20-gauge shotgun that had been cut down to make it easier to conceal.

When they were arrested, they were allegedly found in possession of cocaine, marijuana and a 9mm rifle.

Both were charged with criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Torres and Royse were arraigned in Batavia City Court on some of the charges and ordered held without bail and then arraigned in town court on the remaining charges with bail set at $5,000.

A Covington man previously arrested for impersonating federal law enforcement agents is now accused of dealing drugs inside the Genesee County Jail.

Local Drug Enforcement Task Force members served Nikko C. Gambino, 42, of Morrow Road, Covington, with a search warrant when he recently showed up at the jail to serve part of his eight-week intermittent sentence.

Gambino was transported to UMMC "in order to execute the search warrant," according to a Sheriff's Office press release.

According to the press release, Gambino had alprazolam and suboxone in his digestive system. When Gambino reportedly passed the substances, he allegedly grabbed a quantity of alprazolam and suboxone and placed it inside his mouth in an attempt to further hide or destroy evidence.

Gambino was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, one count of promoting prison contraband, 1st, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance not in its original container.

Following arraignment of Town of Batavia Court, Gambino was returned to Genesee County Jail without bail.

• Man accused of trying to pass himself off as federal law enforcement
• Covington man faces new charge for allegedly impersonating federal agent

Three suspected drug dealers were taken into custody in Byron on Wednesday after at least one of them was allegedly involved in a drug transaction with an undercover agent.

The undercover operation in Byron was the culmination of a two-month long investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.

Arrested were Richard L. Conte, 19, of 723 S. Main St., Medina, Reynoldo Melendez Jr., 23, of 75 Arnett Blvd., Rochester, and Louis Staples, 17, of 75 Arnett Blvd., Rochester.

All three were transported to the Genesee County Jail and held on $50,000 bail each.

Following those three arrests, a fourth suspect was arrested in Clarendon. 

Investigators executed a search warrant at 4955 Holley-Byron Road, Clarendon, where Kristina A. Brongo, 19, a resident of that address, was taken into custody.

The four alleged dealers are suspected of illegally selling mostly prescription drugs in both Orleans and Genesee counties.

Task force members seized a quantity of drugs, including oxymorphone, also known as opanas, oxycontin and morphine with a street value in excess of $3,000.

Also seized was a quantity of marijuana along with $1,000 in cash, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.

Besides the four suspected drug dealers arrested, two teenage girls, whose names were not released, were apprehended during the investigation and cited for alleged unlawful possession of marijuana.

Conte, Melendez and Staples were all charged with one count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th.

Brongo was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal sale of marijuana.

Photos: Conti, top, Melendez and Staples.

Five children where injured in a two-car accident on Thursday afternoon when a 17-year-old driver in Darien allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way.

All five children, ages 9 to 13, were transported by ground ambulance to Erie County Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The 17-year-old driver, Dean G. Cullinan, of Prospect Street, Corfu, also suffered a minor injury and was transported to UMMC.

Cullinan was reportedly southbound on County Line Road when he went through a stop sign at Sumner Road.

Kelly Susan Ford, 45, of Fairfield Drive, Clarence, was driving a 2011 Honda SUV eastbound on Sumner with the five children in the vehicle.

Ford told Deputy Ron Meides that Cullinan's 1995 Plymouth minivan seemed to suddenly appear in front of her at the intersection. She couldn't tell, she said, if the minivan had stopped before entering the intersection.

Cullinan told Meides that he had stopped and decided to proceed once he thought the roadway was clear of cross traffic. He said he didn't see Ford's SUV.

The children injured were Kristen H. Olivieri, 9, Clarissa Surianello, 13, Mara K. Giambrone, 13, Emily E. Ford, 13, and Katherine L. Ford, 11.

Meides issued citations to Cullinan for allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign and failure to yield the right-of-way.

(initial report)

Before going out for a early evening drive, I stopped by Billy Goats where a birthday party for Steve Spyropoulos was just getting started.

Steve, who turned 60 today, and his son, John, own Settler's Restaurant and Billy Goats.

Steve was proudly serving up BBQ chicken and ribs and I got there just in time for a couple of slices of gyros -- the best gyros you've ever had. And if you've never had gyros, I suggest stopping into Settlers and asking for it. It's not always available and never on the menu, but according to John there will be some gyros specials coming up soon.

Even though it was Steve's birthday, he said the extra food spread was his way of thanking customers for their support.

A 28-year-old Batavia man who has set up computers and printers to help him print forge U.S. Currency will spend from three to six years in state prison.

Lendle R. Tucker was arrested in January and caught by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force with equipment he used to forge money and $940 in fake money.

Tucker, initially charged with 42 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, entered a guilty plea in April to possession of a forged instrument, 2nd.

The admitted counterfeiter has been in this type of trouble before. He was convicted of a misdemeanor in Batavia previously and has convictions in Erie County and other states. Tucker has spent the past year in an Erie County jail.

Public Defender Jerry Ader sought leniency in Tucker's sentence, but District Attorney Lawrence Friedman argued that Tucker should receive the maximum sentence available under the plea deal.

Judge Robert Noonan took a dim view of Tucker's criminal record.

"You certainly have a terrible criminal record," Noonan said. "I think you should be counting your lucky stars for getting any plea reduction at all."

Tucker's wife doubled over in tears as the felon was escorted from the courtroom. 

This post based on the reporting of The Batavian's news partner, WBTA.

The photo was blurry and pixelated, but posting it on The Batavian was apparently sufficient enough to help identify the subject in the picture.

Officer James DeFreze thanks The Batavian readers for their assistance and wanted everybody to know the case was cleared, though no criminal charges were filed nor anticipated.