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Eight arrests, six for trespass, and 14 underage drinking citations at sold out Zac Brown concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following people were arrested at the Zac Brown Band concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

Anthony M. Cipoletti, 22 of Neal Road, Endicott, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue when told to leave on several occasions. Cipoletti was arraigned and jailed on $250 bail.

Chris R. Daily, 26 of Lyman Street, Brockport, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue when told to leave on several occasions. Daily was arraigned and jailed on $250 bail.

Michelle M. McCloskey, 28 of Common Road, Angellica, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being told to leave.

Daniel J. Broderickage 19 of Grandview Avenue, White Plains, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being told to leave.

Elise M. Stegalage 28 of Green Gate Circle, East Amherst, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being told to leave.

Beau J. Payneage 21 of Ditch Road, Gasport, is charged with harassment for allegedly striking a security guard as the guard was attempting to break up a fight inside the concert venue.

Francesco Gaetano, 20 of Shorecliff Drive, Rochester, is charged with possession of a fictitious drivers license.     

The following people received citations for allegedly possessing or consuming alcohol under age 21.

Alexandra J. West, 19, of Caywood Drive, Fairport
Jennifer R. Papich, 20, of Bruno Drive, Indianola, Pa.
Rachel C. Lemoine, 19, of Middlebury Road, Webster
Mark A. Cuitan, 19, of Hyacinth Street, Westbury
Daniel C. Grossi, 19, of Taft Avenue, Lynbrook
Jesse D. Rohing, 20, of Hess Road, Appleton
Marhall E. Rohing, 18, of Hess Road, Appleton
Brendan A. Provensano, 20, of Hinsdale Drive, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Patrick A. Jones, 19, of Patricia Drive, Tonawanda
Ryan E. Kaufman, 19, of Park Haven Drive, Amherst
Zachary D. Halor, 20, of Dawn Avenue, Angola
Katie M. VanDusen, 20, of Berehaven Street, Amherst
Nicole M. Vendetti, 20, of Northwood Drive, Rochester
Daniel J. Broderick, 19, of Grandview Avenue, White Plains

Annual gala and auction will raise funds to assist child victims of sexual and physical abuse

By Howard B. Owens

This morning a couple members of the Batavia Kiwanis Club went to Paul White's place to get a look, and take a ride, on his paraglider.

White is donating a ride on the paraglider to be auctioned off at the club's Bidding on a Brighter Future Auction & Gala at Batavia Downs on Sept. 22.

The event is the club's big annual fundraiser to benefit the Child Advocacy Center, which needs to move into a new home that it will own.

Last year, the event raised $30,000 for CAC. Kiwanis members have set a goal of $150,000.

The center has assisted more than 1,400 children who were victims of physical and sexual abuse over the past 13 years. CAC provides a safe and comforting environment for forensic interviews, medical examinations and advocacy for children who are victimized in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Besides the paraglider ride, this year gala guests will be able to bid on a fully stocked freezer, sea cruises, cigars and accessories, fun in South Carolina -- a Hilton Head stay and a Myrtle Beach vacation, a Batavia Police Department "CSI Experience," a private pistol lesson for two with a sharpshooter from Batavia PD, fresh baked pies, children's scooters, a stained glass work, couch, chairs, sink and vanity, double oven, jewelry and lots more.

Tickets are $40 per person or $75 for a couple. Sponsorship levels range in price from $50 to $5,000. Sponsors must sign up by Sept. 12.

The club is also still accepting donations.

All donations to the foundation are tax deductible.

For more information, contact Anita at 813-5371 or Grace at 344-8576.

Below: Kiwanis member Peter Guppenberger prepares for a ride with Paul White. Photos provided by Grace Flannery.

Storm reports: Large tree blocking Route 77

By Howard B. Owens

Fire police are requested to Route 77 and Marble Road to stop traffic for a large tree down and completely blocking Route 77 just south of Ledge Road. Traffic is also being shut down at Phelps Road.

UPDATE 10:40 a.m.: Area residents are cutting up the tree, a loader is on location to move the trunk, so Route 77 should be reopened shortly. Meanwhile, another tree is down at Bloomingdale and Council House roads, this one involving wires.

UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: Route 77 is open. Alabama Fire Department back in service.  The storm warning has been extended to 11:30 a.m.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: Power is out for 21 National Grid customers in the area of Bridge Road, Elba. ETA for power restoration is 1:45 p.m.

UPDATE 10:57 a.m.: Apparently two trees are down on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. One was cleared, on Council House Road, by residents. It didn't include wires. A second tree with wires is down on Meadville Road.

UPDATE  11:14 a.m.: Elba fire is being dispatched to 6733 Luddington Road for a report of a tree down on wires. It's not blocking the road.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: Elba fire back in service. There's no immediate hazard from the situation on Luddington Road.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: The National Weather Service has downgraded the weather alert from a warning to a watch and it's in effect until 3 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

A thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and destructive hail is moving toward Genesee County from the west at 35 mph.

The National Weather Service warns of potentially deadly cloud to ground lightning and recommends that people outside move to shelter, ideally inside a strong building and away from windows.

The warning is in effect until 10:45 a.m.

The warning is issued specifically for Oakfield, Batavia and Byron.

The storm line stretches from Orleans County through Genesee and into Wyoming County.

'Batmobile' driver gets locked out of mobile at Flying J

By Billie Owens

A deputy is responding to a lock out at the Flying J in Pembroke. The car is sporting the Batman emblem.

Update 8:02 p.m.: "Cancel the Batman lock out." "Robin's got the key?" "Or the butler."

Guy waving gun and pounding dash driving westbound on Route 33

By Billie Owens

A highly agitated man, pounding the dashboard and waving a gun, is reportedly driving westbound on Route 33 from Route 19. He's behind a white school-bus-like van. Sheriff's deputies are responding.

UPDATE 6:31 p.m.: He was originally spotted on Route 490 coming out of Churchville. He is reportedly driving a black Jeep and is now being stopped by an officer. The Jeep was stopped on Route 33 near Old State.

UPDATE 6:33 p.m. (by Howard): The deputy who stopped the Jeep doesn't believe it's the involved vehicle and is clear of the stop. There is no license plate, or partial plate available on the vehicle. Additionally, and unrelated, another caller reports a group of motorcycles coming from the 490 onto Route 33, and that while on the 490, some had been doing "wheelies and other stunts."

UPDATE 6:37 p.m. (by Howard): A deputy is also on the look out for a white school-bus-like minivan that was reportedly behind the black Jeep at one time to see if the driver has any information. The original caller is no longer following the Jeep.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: The Jeep is described as black with a gray two-tone on the bottom.

Fight on Bank Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A fight is reported involving several individuals in front of 161 Bank St. Police are on scene. One person is said to have a gun, but a gun has not been displayed.

Pembroke woman suspected of supplying child porn DVDs to man who later molested toddler

By Howard B. Owens
Beverly Hensel James Little

A convicted child molester told police, according to court documents, that he obtained six child pornography DVDs from a 53-year-old woman from Pembroke.

That accusation is contained in a statement filed in Pembroke Town Court in support of the arrest of Beverly Hensel, 53, of 8921 Alleghany Road, Pembroke. Hensel was charged with one count of possession of a sexual performance of a child following an investigation by Batavia PD.

According to James L. Little Jr., 41, formerly of Batavia, he first met Hansel in November 2007 at the Genesee House in Corfu.

"Bev knew I was having certain feelings," Little wrote in his deposition. "Bev gave me my first child porn DVD around January of 2008."

Earlier this week, Little was sentenced to 15 years in state prison followed by 20 years of release under supervision for sexually abusing a 2-year-old child in Batavia over a three month period.

Det. Kevin Czora said Little's stash of child porn DVDs were uncovered in a search of Little's residence when he was arrested for molesting the toddler. When questioned, Little named Hansel as the source of the DVDs.

"She acquired it for him," Czora said.

As far as Czora knows, he said, he isn't aware of Hensel downloading child porn prior to meeting Little, or providing child porn to any other people, or that Little had ever obtained child porn from any other source before meeting Hansel.

Czora does not believe Hansel received any compensation for the alleged child porn DVDs.

Over a two-year period, Little said he received DVDs with such titles as "X," "Gay Boys 6/3/09," "XXX July 13, 2009" and "Fun 08/27/09."

He said in September 2009 he was at Hansel's house and he saw two desktop computers in her basement.

He wrote, "She said one was hers and the other was her husband's."

During the execution of a search warrant at the Hensel residence Aug. 15, weapons were reportedly found and Frederick Hensel Jr. is being charged with four counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

City reminder: Yellow stickers for bulk item trash pick-up expire Oct. 1

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia would like to remind residents that the special yellow bulk item stickers that were in your last water bill will only be valid until Oct. 1.

As part of the city’s Strategic Plan for Environmental Sustainability, the city included two (2) yellow bulk item stickers in the June, July and August water bills.

During the city-wide limited bulk pickup program only ONE sticker is necessary for the disposal of one bulk item regardless of size. Place the bulk item with the sticker securely affixed to it at the curb/parkway on your regularly scheduled garbage day.

Please remember to use your yellow stickers by Oct 1st.

The special yellow bulk stickers will not be valid or accepted after that date and you must once again purchase orange sticker to have bulk items picked up.

Chris Collins tours Chapin plant in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Congressional candidate and small business owner Chris Collins today joined Assemblyman Steve Hawley to tour Chapin Manufacturing in Batavia to discuss the importance of manufacturing jobs and the issues facing small businesses.

“Manufacturing is a key component of the American economy. Companies like Chapin provide good paying jobs to hundreds of employees and strongly support their local communities,” Collins said. “We need Washington to create an environment for these businesses to succeed.

"The Obama-Hochul policies are not working. Today’s jobs report shows we lost 15,000 manufacturing jobs in August and unemployment remains above 8 percent for the 43rd straight month. This is unacceptable.”

“Washington just does not understand that you cannot tax and regulate a business to success. We need people in Congress who know what it is like to make payroll and face the challenges imposed by Washington every day. I’ve spent my career creating American jobs and will bring that experience with me to Congress,” Collins continued.

Chris Collins continues to tour businesses throughout the 27th Congressional District, hearing concerns from small business men and women.

Photo provided by the Chris Collins campaign.

Former Batavia resident sent to prison for filing false DSS claims

By Howard B. Owens

A former Batavia resident who admitted to filing a false social services claim was sentenced in Genesee County Court today to one-and-a-half to three years in state prison.

Michael Schramm, 36, entered a guilty plea July 13 to offering a false instrument for filing.

He was arrested in May along with his wife, Deborah Schramm, and accused of submitting claim forms with DSS for temporary assistance and food stamps.

As part of his sentence, Schramm must repay the county $17,026.39.

Schramm failed to report full-time employment at a farm in Niagara County.

He will be disqualified from receiving temporary assistance and food stamps in the future.

Deborah Schramm is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 10.

Four people, including two children, hurt in three-car accident in Le Roy on Tuesday

By Howard B. Owens

Four people were injured in a three-vehicle accident Tuesday morning on Route 19 at Seldon Road, Le Roy.

Karen S. Samis, 46, of South Street Road, Le Roy, said she was distracted by something while driving north on Route 19 and didn't see a vehicle slowing to stop for a left-hand turn onto Seldon Road.

Samis's 2008 Chevy van struck a 2000 Chevy van driven by Tonya L. Jackson, 35, of Main Street, Le Roy, causing it to hit a truck in the southbound lane of Route 19.

That 2009 Chevy pickup was driven by Christopher P. Ward, 47, of Hardwood, Lane, Rochester. He was not injured.

Samis and Jackson were both transported to UMMC by ambulance as were Adam R. Jackson, 10, and Justin A. Jackson, 7. None of the injuries were serious.

Samis was cited for allegedly following too closely.

The accident was investigated by Deputy John Duyssen.

Small brush fire at Bovee Road bridge and Route 490

By Billie Owens

A small brush fire is reported near the median of the Bovee Road Bridge and Route 490. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: Fire is out. Assignment is back in service.

Three-car crash on Route 19 north of Peachy Road, Bergen

By Billie Owens

A three-car accident is reported north of Peachy Road on Route 19 in Bergen. Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. There is air-bag deployment and fluids are leaking. It is blocking traffic.

Fire police are requested to Route 19 and Creamery Road.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: Two flatbed tow trucks are called.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: Correction: No one was transported, patients were sign-offs.

Investigators unable to determine cause of death for Alyce Huntoon

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department wishes to provide an update in regards to the investigation into the death of Alyce M. Huntoon. An acquaintance reported finding Ms. Huntoon in an unresponsive condition, in her vehicle, in the parking lot of The Manor House Apartments, 427 E. Main St., Batavia, NY, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 at or about 10:30 p.m.

The findings by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office indicate an undetermined cause and manner of death.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office indicates finding no physical injuries that would have caused the death of Ms. Huntoon.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office has completed an initial and additional toxicology tests. All toxicology tests indicate no findings that would have attributed to the death of Ms. Huntoon.

The investigation to date indicates nothing to suggest the death of Ms. Huntoon was the result of an intentional or accidental overdose. Nothing in the investigation to date indicates the death of Ms. Huntoon was the result of suicide.

Anyone having any information in regards to this investigation may contact the Batavia Police Department’s Dispatch at (585) 345-6350 or Batavia Police Department directly at (585) 345-6444.

Information can also be left on the Batavia Police Department’s Confidential Tip Line at (585) 345-6370 or via the Suspicious Activity Reporting link found on the Web site of the Batavia Police Department.

UPDATE: We asked Batavia PD about toxicology in this case. There are hundreds of possible chemical compounds used in synthetic drugs and we requested further information on how wide ranging the toxicology screening went, whether it would detect any chemical or just specific chemicals included in a screening panel. Here's the response from Det. Pat Corona: "I have the answer in regards to synthetic cannabinoids and analogs to stimulants and hallucinogens. The Medical Examiner’s Office is very confident in regards to their toxicology findings that rule out those substances as contributing to the death of Alyce Huntoon. They were not found to be present in her system. "

Law and Order: Batavia resident accused of not paying fine

By Howard B. Owens

Daniel Roger Sumeriski, 26, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, criminal tampering, 3rd, and harassment. Sumeriski was arrested in the Family Court lobby on a bench warrant out of Town of Batavia Court for alleged failure to pay a fine.

Sarah Lee Marcello, 20, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Marcello is accused of shoplifting $76.65 in merchandise from Kmart.

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