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Accident with minor injuries reported on Ledge Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

There is an accident report with minor injuries on Ledge Road west of White Road, Alabama.

There have been reports of it being a car vs. tree and car vs. deer accident.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: Reportedly, driver swerved to miss a deer and struck a tree.

At age 87, J.D. Barrett completes his 87th canoe trip of the year

By JIM NIGRO

A dusting of snow and a thin mantle of ice wasn't about to deter J.D. Barrett and some friends from their appointed rounds, especially on a red-letter day such as this.

Beginning last January, J.D. has canoed every month in 2012 and Saturday, December 1st saw him set out on his 87th paddle of the year -- one paddle for each year of his life. The idea was suggested to him a few years ago by some of his canoeing companions, and it was those same folks who made the arrangements for Saturday's outing on Black Creek, for years one of J.D.'s favorite paddling destinations.

Though well-regarded among fellow paddlers and his fly-fishing brethren alike, J.D. Barrett shuns the spotlight and is quick to deflect attention to his fellow outdoorsmen. Maybe that's why his canoeing pals chose not to tell him Channel 10 News would be on hand to capture what they felt was certainly a milestone achievement.

One of those friends was Tony Figueredo, eagerly waiting to break the ice -- no pun intended. 

Linda Grant getting set to launch. Linda was kind enough to pass along some of her pics.

With everyone on the water, the trip upstream is about to commence.

The wintry weather posed no problem for this crew of dedicated paddlers. As Hyde Hitchcock said, "This wasn't about speed or distance -- it was about paddling with J.D."

Left to right are Dale Jones, J.D., Steve Tolle, Hyde Hitchcock and Paul Conklin. Besides his paddling gear, Hyde packed a Dutch oven and the fixings for a tasty meal on the creek bank including soup, smoked ham, baked beans, fresh biscuits and black tea.

No black flies, no mosquitoes, only a peaceful setting...

This outing marked J.D.'s second milestone of 2012. Earlier this year he and his wife, Dorothy, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary......Congratulations on both counts, J.D.!!!!!

Sponsored Post: Terry Hills Invites You Have Lunch with SERENDIPITY SWING!

By Lisa Ace

Come have lunch with SERENDIPITY SWING! SOUP, SALAD & SWING! Thursday, December 6th • 12:00 p.m. – 1:30pm

Serendipity Swing: “A Little Big Band,” is an Eight-Musician Ensemble with a female and male vocalist from Buffalo, New York, that performs music associated with the Golden Age of Glamorous Ballrooms, Classy Supper Clubs, the Most Elegant of Private Parties, and the Great American Songbook. The music library, with over 300 titles, contains selections which explore and mirror the beauty of the music elements; melody, harmony and rhythm. It is music that is artful, graceful, whimsical, and listenable. The melodies are memorable. The harmonies are soothing and rich in texture. The tempos, rhythms, are danceable and toe-tapping.

Lunch Menu offered from 11 am – 2 pm

Lunch Reservations Required – (585) 343-0642; dine@terryhills.com

Terry Hills Restaurant, 5122 Clinton St. Road, Batavia

Visit us online at: www.terryhills.com

GCC Foundation seeks nominees for its Alumni Hall of Fame, deadline Jan. 1

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation is seeking nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on the community.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. All nominations received by Tuesday, Jan. 1, will be considered by the selection committee.

The foundation will induct its seventh group of honorees in a ceremony on March 20 at the Batavia campus. Their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building.

The criteria for nominating an individual to the Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual's contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from GCC's alumni Web site (www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/) and emailed or sent to the college's Alumni office.

"We are eager to honor more of Genesee Community College's best and brightest graduates," said Jackie Christenson, GCC's alumni coordinator. "For seven years, we have had the distinct pleasure of recognizing alumni of the college who have contributed significantly to the vitality of their communities."

For the full list of previously inducted Alumni Hall of Fame members please visit www.genesee.edu/Alumni/HallofFame.

Man suspected of stealing cans of gas captured after police chase

By Billie Owens

A young black male, possibly Hispanic, was the subject of a police pursuit after a caller told dispatch he was observed stealing gas cans from a residence on West Main Street Road and attempting to fill up a maroon two-tone pickup truck with gasoline.

He's now in custody after he hopped a fence at the Batavia Meadows apartment complex and ran behind Valu Plaza, jumped into the Tonawanda Creek and climbed up the other side.

He dropped something along the way and law enforcement is looking to recover it, possibly a blue duffle bag and some other sort of bag.

He's said to be wearing blue jeans, a black coat with yellow on the sleeves, and a black hat.

He was captured after he went up Meadowcrest Drive and "he is looking at felony charges." Multiple law enforcement units responded to the call.

2012-13 Local Boys' Basketball Preview

By Nick Sabato

Alexander Trojans
Last Season: 8-11 (Lost in the first round of the Class C1 Playoffs)
Head Coach: Wayne Hanley

Alexander is coming off a losing season, but they have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming year. In particular, because they return 6-foot-5 forward Travis Schmeider.

Schmeider made his mark as possibly the top big man in the Genesee Region League last year, averaging 17 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He was also an inside-out threat, connecting on 17 three-point field goals. Being so multidimensional, makes him difficult for opposing forwards to guard him.

The Trojans will miss Stef Krna’s 10 points and 7 rebounds per game, but they do return several other players who played significant minutes last winter. Guard Mark Farnsworth returns after averaging 7.8 points and 3.8 assists per game, and will run the offense for Wayne Hanley’s team. Also look for guard Louis Breton to take a bigger role this season.

Batavia Blue Devils
Last Season: 14-6 (Lost in the Class A Quarterfinals)
Head Coach: Buddy Brasky

After being ousted in the second round of the Class A playoffs last year, Batavia has strong reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season. They return four out of five starters, including leading scorers Justin Washington and Jalen Smith.

Washington was an All-Monroe County selection last year after posting 18 points per game and 8 rebounds per game. He is a do-it-all forward that can score inside and out, rebound and handle the ball in space. Meanwhile, Smith was a second-team All-County pick and is capable of playing both guard positions and has a soft touch from beyond the three-point arc. He gives them a solid one-two punch after scoring 17 per game a year ago.

Jamesson Etienne gives Buddy Brasky’s team a solid inside presence that allowed Washington to play on the perimeter at times last year, while Jake Brasky returns to run the offense at the point guard position. Malachi Chenault gave the Blue Devils a solid backup in the post after being called up from JV as an eighth-grader near the end of the season, and expect him to continue to grow as a full-time varsity player this year. Justice Fagan will provide more depth at guard after leading Batavia’s JV team in scoring last winter.

Byron-Bergen Bees
Last Season: 5-14 (Lost in the first round of the Class C1 Playoffs)
Head Coach: Pat McGee

Byron-Bergen faced hard times last season, winning only five games. However, this year they return the majority of their players, and Head Coach Pat McGee feels that his team has the potential to be the best that the school has had since winning the Genesee Region League in 2005.

Jeff and Jamie Maskell, who combined to average 9 assists per game a year ago, return to run the offense for the Bees and will share time at the point guard position. Austin Richardson returns as the leading scorer from the 2011-12 squad, averaging 14 points per contest. Zach DuBois, who was one of the top football players in the GR League this season, will be called upon to guard the opposing team’s best player once again this season.

The key player for Byron-Bergen will be junior Dajuandrick Gardner. The 6-foot-6 center has the potential to be a force in the middle for the Bees. Last season he averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game as a sophomore. Gardner could be one of the top big men in the league if he continues to build on his success from a year ago. 

“We have gotten off to a great start and our expectations are high this year,” McGee said. “We think we can win our side of the league this year.” 

Elba Lancers
Last Season: 18-3 (Lost in the Class D1 Championship Game)
Head Coach: Mark Beehler

The Elba Lancers are coming off a superb 2011-12 season, as they reached the Class D1 Championship Game for the first time since 2005. However, Head Coach Mark Beehler will have to replace his top four scorers from a year ago, including the Ramsey triplets. One of the Ramsey’s led the Lancers in almost every statistical category, including Dan, who was a career 1,000-point scorer.

Nate Jonathan is the lone returning starter for Elba, but he has a chance to be one of the top post players in the Genesee Region League. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, Jonathan was able to carve out space in the paint at times this year and will be called upon to do so more often this season.

Zac Gillard and Andy Boyce saw solid playing time a season ago, while Jesse Pflaumer, Brandon Naylor and Dan Scott got significant minutes as sophomores. Each player will be expected to take a bigger role this season.

“If we want to compete in against the top teams this year, we will need to battle on defense and limit our opponent’s scoring,” Beehler said.

Each of Elba’s three losses came at the hands of Notre Dame last year.

Le Roy Oatkan Knights
Last Season: 2-18 (Lost in the Class C1 Quarterfinals)
Head Coach: John King

Le Roy went through some growing pains last season, managing only one win during the regular season. However, the Knights showed solid improvement as the season went along, upsetting Alexander in the first round of sectionals and coming up one point short in the Class C1 quarterfinals to Pembroke. This season, John King’s squad returns nine players, including four starters from last year’s team. They will be a senior-laden team that has a chance to make some noise in the Livingston County League. 

Eric Witkowski returns after leading the Knights in scoring a year ago. The 6-foot-3 senior forward averaged 12.7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season and should be a force in the middle. Marcus Mistersaro also returns to play alongside Witkowski in the frontcourt. Mistersaro led Le Roy in rebounding at 8 per game and also added 2.1 steals per contest. The backcourt will be led by junior Zach Moore, who was second on the team in scoring a year ago with 8 points per game. He will play alongside freshman Ethan Witkowski. 

“We have a great group of young men who have been working very hard,” said King, who is in his eleventh season as head coach. “With senior leadership and additions from JV’s, the team has made a commitment to working together and sacrificing individual success for team success.”

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Last Season: 22-2 (Lost in the Class D State Semi-finals)
Head Coach: Mike Rapone

Last season Notre Dame won sectionals for the first time since their state championship team of 2001. However, the Fighting Irish return only two starters from their team that reached the New York State Class D Semi-finals, but both of those players (Tim McCulley and Jared Thornton) were not only all-league selections, but all-state picks as well. They will both need to be big contributors as ND moves up to Class C1 this season.

McCulley and Thornton were also Mike Rapone’s leading scorers last year. McCulley, a junior, is a superb all-around player who averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. Thornton, also a solid well-rounded player, averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, while connecting on 61 3-point field goals last year.  

Replacing three starters will be the key this year for Notre Dame, but they have some talented players to do so. Tommy Prospero, a transfer from Batavia, is an extremely versatile player who provides length and is a strong 3-point shooter. Ryan Bender will attempt to replace Sectional MVP Zach Hotze in the middle, and displayed great potential as the team’s sixth man a season ago. Bender will be an important asset, as Rapone listed how well his team plays against teams with strong inside players as a key to his team’s success. Vincent Misiti rounds out the starting five, and will provide a luxury as he can play both guard positions.

“This group has the talent to be both a GR pision 2, as well as a Class C1 title contender,” Rapone said. “If they develop a consistent work ethic, continue to grow and improve as individuals and as a team, we will be able to make big plays at the right time.”

Oakfield-Alabama Hornets
Last Season: 6-13 (Lost in the First Round of the Class C2 Playoffs)
Head Coach: Gary Kurkowski

While Oakfield-Alabama finished with a 6-13 record last season, they did have some moments to build off of. The Hornets played Elba, who had only two losses in the league, to a 10-point margin. While their signature win came early in the season, as they trounced Pembroke on the road, 71 to 29. 

This season, Gary Kurkowski’s team returns only two players with experience a year. Austin Hamm and Nate Nodlinksi will be called upon for their experience and leadership on a roster that features only two seniors (one being Hamm). Oakfield has seven juniors and a sophomore, Ryan Emery, that will play major roles in the upcoming year. Chris Nanni and Chase Manzella are coming off of stellar football seasons and should provide the Hornets with some toughness. 

“The G-R League will be highly competitive in both divisions,” Kurkowski said. “It is our hope that through hard work and game experience we will improve daily and be a formidable opponent for all on a nightly basis.”

Pembroke Dragons
Last Season: 14-7 (Lost in the Class C1 Championship Game)
Head Coach: Ron Funke

Pembroke surprised many people last season by reaching the Class C1 title game, and even having an opportunity to win the game. Coach Ron Funke’s team last year was extremely senior-laden, with 8 of 11 players on the roster graduating last summer. 

This season’s Dragons will only return two players who received significant playing time a year ago. Point Guard Colin Lewis started nine games and guard Dan Hill saw spot minutes behind Caleb Lang and Wyatt Chittenden. This year both players will be forced to be key contributors for Pembroke to have any success. 

“Duplicating last season’s success will be a stretch,” Funke said. “We will be scrappy and attempt to be competitive in our division, but we are a work in progress.” 

Austin Cansdale moves up from JV and will see extensive action, as well as sophomore Abe Lang, brother of Caleb. The Dragons also have several players who haven’t played basketball since modified.

Law and Order: Woman allegedly refused to leave police station, resisted arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Nicole M. Bilby, 26, of 3476 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with trespass and resisting arrest. Bilby was allegedly unruly and disruptive while at the Batavia PD at 9:05 p.m., Friday. Officers directed Bilby to leave several times and she allegedly refused to leave. When taken into custody, Bilby allegedly resisted arrest. Bilby was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Joshua L. Baltz, 36, no residence provided, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Baltz is accused of offensive conduct in violation of an order of protection. Baltz allegedly called the protected person derogatory names and postured in a threatening manner. A child was reportedly present at the time. Baltz was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Rae C. Cook, 23, of 218 Ellicott St., upper, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cook is accused of threatening and pushing another person while at UMMC at 3 p.m., Saturday.

Tasshire T. Brown Sanders, 18, of 7 Caffery Place, Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct. Brown Sanders is accused of standing in front of a residence on Oak Street and shouting obscenities and refusing to leave the area.

Eric D. Mancuso, 18, of 20 Woodrow Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Mancuso was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during at traffic stop at 10:33 p.m., Saturday, by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Dan'l R. Fischer, 35, of 139 Jackson St., Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant after allegedly failing to appear for a court date. Fischer was incarcerated in the Livingston County Jail at the time of his arrest.

Jeffrey Lynn Hayes, 48, of Meadow Circle, Avon, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Hayes was turned over to the Sheriff's Office on an arrest warrant out of Town of Byron Court.

The Batavian Club members will receive a $5 gift certificate for Settler's

By Howard B. Owens

There are still some $5 gift certificates for Settler's available for the first 60 members of The Batavian Club.

Plus, any future discounts with local businesses, plus a membership card, plus a bumper sticker, plus a chance to win prizes (we have a neat prize from a local merchant that early members will be eligible to win, which we'll announce Monday or Tuesday).

Plus, new annual members who join by Dec. 15, will receive a 2013 calendar of Genesee County photos by Howard Owens.

Membership in The Batavian Club just keeps getting better and better, and it will get better yet.

You can join via one of the PayPal buttons below, or CLICK HERE to download a form and mail us your check (annual payments only) or credit card number (monthly or annual). Or you can phone in your information to (585) 250-4118.

Monthly Single Membership - $5 per month
Includes membership card and bumper sticker and entry into iPod Nano drawing.

 

Monthly Household Membership - $10 per month
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers and entry into iPod Nano drawing.

 

Annual Single Membership - $50 per year
Includes membership card, bumper sticker and entry into iPod Nano drawing.
Special Offer: Join by Dec. 15 and receive a calendar of Genesee County photos by Howard Owens

 

Annual Household Membership - $100 per year
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers and entry into iPod Nano drawing.
Special Offer: Join by Dec. 15 and receive a calendar of Genesee County photos by Howard Owens

 

Advance Order a 2013 Calendar - $25

Photos of Genesee County by Howard Owens. Some of the photos you've seen on The Batavian, some have not been published on The Batavian before.

Number of Calendars 1 Calendar $25.00 USD2 Calendars $50.00 USD3 Calendars $75.00 USD4 Calendars $100.00 USD  

 

Sheriff's Office looking for black pickup truck involved in Darien incident

By Howard B. Owens

A Sheriff's deputy investigating the case of a pickup truck doing donuts in the snow at two locations in Darien, one where a building was damaged, obtained a close-circuit videotape that showed a black Chevy pickup truck with a female passenger.

Any damage on the vehicle would be on the driver's side rear.

The time frame has been narrowed to 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday.

The photo above is NOT of the truck, but the truck is believed to look a lot like it.

Photos: Old farmhouse used for firefighter training set ablaze

By Howard B. Owens

The first part of the old farmhouse at 7694 Batavia Stafford Townline Road was built before the Civil War. Today, all of those years became ashes in a controlled burn conducted by the Town of Batavia Fire Department that capped a morning training session at the structure.

Firefighters showed up at the former Dorman family farmhouse early this morning and conducted several interior firefighting exercises.

Town of Batavia Fire First Assistant Chief Nathan Fix said some of the fires really got going, and all were knocked down by interior firefighters in training.

"We had fireman who got to see real fire in real conditions for the first time," Fix said. "We had at least 10 firefighters here who never experienced real fire, real heat, before."

Volunteers from Batavia as well as Bethany, Byron, Bergen, Corfu, South Byron, Oakfield and Elba all participated in the morning exercises.

Bergen's ladder truck was then set up in position to help contain the anticipated inferno, as well as a handful of charged fire hoses, then using road flares, Fix set the structure on fire.

Once the house was ablaze, the firefighters were give a chance to do something that never happens at a real fire scene -- pose for a group photo in front of the burning building.

It took more than an hour for the structure to be completely consumed.

Mark Hare, who was about 5 when his family moved into the house in 2000, made a video of the destruction of his childhood home while his mother, Dawn Hare, looked on. Andy Hare, a retired city firefighter, is in Georgia and couldn't be here for the fire. The Hares' daughter is also out of town.

The Hares built a new home on the hill behind the old farmhouse two years ago, and it's now for sale.

Dawn said the whole family was sad to see the old house go, but it had to be done. The structure had numerous deficiencies and had deteriorated beyond repair. Even when the Hares lived in it, there was no heat on the second floor, the kitchen sink backed up every winter and the electric was out of date.

Fix said it took him six months of work to get all of the proper permissions to burn down the structure, including insurance letters, letters from every utility company that ever serviced the house, the Hares themselves and the DEC.

Since all of the proper paperwork was only recently completed, and it's the onset of winter, the fire department decided to do all of its training and the final bonfire in a single day.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here

There are 10 black and white photos in the slide show. They were shot with a Nikon F4 and Illford XP2 film.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Fire alarm, smoke in building being investigated, Town of Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Town of Batavia fire is on scene of what started as an automatic alarm of fire, but upon arrival there was smoke in the building.

No flames have been reported at this point.

The location is on Route 98, but we didn't get details on the original dispatch ("alarm of fire" is pretty much always a false alarm).

Town of Batavia's ladder truck is out of service, so Le Roy's ladder is responding mutual aid.

Oakfield is requested to the Town of Batavia fire hall to fill in.

Crews are investigating the structure and there is a smell of smoke at the front of the building, but nothing has been found yet.

UPDATE 6:20 p.m.: Source located (didn't hear what it is), but all units still responding can back it down to non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 6:25 p.m.: Le Roy and Oakfield back in service.

UPDATE 6:31 p.m.: Burned out electrical strip. No damage to the structure.

House in flames at 5 Myrtle St., Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A fully involved house fire is reported at 5 Myrtle St. in Le Roy. Heavy smoke and flames showing. There are still people inside the house -- entrapment. Le Roy fire is responding along with mutual aid from Caledonia.

UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: It is believed everyone is out of the house. Bergen and Pavilion are also responding. The address is between Clay and Bank streets. Le Roy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: Town of Batavia's Fast Team is called in and National Grid is notified about the fire.

UPDATE 2:26: "It looks like they've got it knocked down."

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: They are going to bring in fans to clear the smoke. National Grid has no ETA.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: Stafford is standing by in Stafford's quarters, in case needed for any other Le Roy incident. Firefighters on Myrtle Street are taking out their tools for overhaul.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: "It looks pretty clear on the second floor."

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: They are asking the Town of Batavia to go back in service. Fire is out. Doing overhaul.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Caledonia is released from the scene.

UPDATE (by Howard): At the time I left the scene, about 3 p.m., the cause of the fire was under investigation. Chief Tom Woods said when he arrived on scene, there were flames showing in the back of the structure and two people were partially out of a window. It's a little unclear, but apparently they had tried to put the fire out and thought the fire was out. Investigators had not yet completed interviews with them. Woods told the people to get out of the building and they did. Crews were quick the scene and interior firefighters made entry and knocked the fire down before it could do serious damage. A neighbor called the fire in, not the residents. Woods said that if the fire had been going five more minutes before fire crews arrived the whole structure would have been lost and it would have been a difficult fire to fight because of how close together units are on Myrtle.

Photos: Christmas in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

When I left Le Roy, there was a long line of children waiting to talk with Santa and fill his ear with their Christmas dreams. I drove straight to Oakfield, and by the time I arrived, Santa was already there. It's amazing how that guy gets around.

Above, Santa with Mrs. Claus and their 5-week-old grandson.

Oakfield held a new Christmas event for the village today. It included the annual Christmas tree display, but moved this year to the memorial park between South Main and Pearl. The event included wagon rides, cookie decorating, games and the Genesee Model Train Engineers held an open house.

Organizers expect the event to become an annual celebration of Christmas in Oakfield that will get a little bigger each year.

Photos: Le Roy Winterfest 2012

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy held it's annual Winterfest, which is a chance for the children to visit Santa and mom and dad to check out the local merchants. 

Accident with injuries reported on Route 77, Darien

By Howard B. Owens

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported on Route 77, just south of Herkimer Road.

Darien fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m.: It's a car/deer accident at 1784 Route 77.

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: Accident victim signs off on medical treatment. All Darien units returning.

Driver doing spinouts and donuts in Darien causes property damage

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office is investigating some property damage at two different locations in Darien apparently caused by a driver doing donuts, rubber burns and spinouts in the parking lots of two establishments.

One building, Johnny Bears Family Restaurant, 1415 Broadway, was struck during the overnight incident and sustained damage.

The vehicle is believed to be a pickup truck and it struck the building with it's rear driver's side.

After damaging Johnny Bears, the pickup traveled to Triple C Shop Mart on Route 20 and did extensive burn outs and spins, damaging the parking lot and gas tank covers.

All of the damage was caused between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

Retirement party ends with wedding for former State Police investigator

By Howard B. Owens

When I interviewed retired State Police Investigator Leo Hunter for an article on his career and his family, Leo told me a secret and made me promise not to include it in the story: He and his fiancé Dawn Rindel were going to get married at the end of the retirement ceremony.

Judge Robert C. Noonan, who MC'd the retirement party and then officiated the wedding, quipped that Hunter didn't do a very good job at keeping a secret. At least half of the 300 or so people at the party at the Clarion Hotel on Friday night knew what was coming.

With all of Hunter's six children, his sisters and many friends present, Hunter and and Rindel exchanged vows and were pronounced by Noonan husband and wife.

After the service, each of Leo's children spoke briefly and said how proud they were to have Dawn as part of their family now and thanked their father for being a great dad.

Man involved in standoff in State Street rooming house held on three charges

By Howard B. Owens

A State Street resident involved in a brief standoff with police after he allegedly fired a shot from a .357 magnum in his rooming house is facing three criminal charges.

Dennis G. Wolfe, 51, of 218 State St., Batavia, is being held without bail on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, reckless endangerment, 1st, and menacing a police officer.

Officers responded to 218 State St. at 3:52 p.m. after receiving two 9-1-1 calls from neighboring tenants who said they heard a single gunshot from inside the building.

Within minutes, Wolfe was located in room #10 and the responding officer radioed for backup, reporting that Wolfe was holding a gun.

According to police officials, Wolfe allegedly pointed the gun alternately at himself and a police officer.

After about 15 minutes of negotiations, Wolfe was convinced to drop the weapon.

According to police, Wolfe was involved in an ongoing dispute with a neighbor and was being evicted from the rooming house as a result.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

The investigating was conducted by Sgt. John Peck, Det. Paul Caffo, Det. Todd Crossett, Det. Kevin Czora, officers Thad Mart, Kevin DeFelice, Matt Lutey and Jamie Givens.

Also responding to the scene were deputies and troopers.

Top Items on Batavia's List

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