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Alabama

Grand Jury Report: Batavia resident accused of menacing police officers

By Howard B. Owens

Jody B. Gillett is indicted on two felony counts of menacing a police officer, one count of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and two counts of menacing, 2nd. Gillett is accused threatening, with a knife, two members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office during an incident July 24 at 8 Pine Hollow Road. He is also accused threatening, with a knife, two other people in the same incident.

Grant A. Sundown Jr., is indicted on a count of DWI and aggravated DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and three counts of aggravated unlicensed operation. Sundown is accused of driving drunk on Lewiston Road, Oakfield, on April 7.

Paul Wapniewski is indicted on a count of burlgary, 3rd, criminal mischief, 2nd, and petit larceny. Wapniewski is accused of breaking into Delavan's Restaurant, 107 Evans St., Batavia, on May 6.

Jose A. Torres is indicted on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. Torres is accused of possessing cocaine on March 28 with the intent to sell it.

Charles L. Muntz is indicated on a felony count of DWI. Muntz is accused of driving drunk on Griffin Road, Alabama, on April 16.

Car vs. bus accident reported on Lewiston Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A car and bus have reportedly collided in the area of 1534 Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Three people in the car are reportedly injured, but there are no reported injuries on the bus.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 7:24 a.m.: Oakfield's ambulance on in-hall stand by for a possible response to the scene.


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Chimney fire reported in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A chimney fire is reported at 7392 Alleghany Road, Alabama.

An Alabama chief is on scene and may have discovered the fire.

Alabama fire units responding.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: Chief on scene believes he's got the fire knocked down. Alabama engines in route.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: Alabama fire back in service.


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O-A plays tough game against a tough Notre Dame team

By Howard B. Owens

Coming off two disappointing seasons and starting the 2011 season 0-2, it would be easy to dismiss a game against Oakfield-Alabama as a bye week, but as any coach in the Genesee Region will tell you, there's no squad in the league that can be taken lightly.

There's no telling if the Fighting Irish took the Hornets a little less than serious coming into Friday night's league match-up, but O-A's young players certainly made a game of it.

The final score was 29-14, but the Hornets were never really out of it until the final minutes, and at the half looked like a team that could spoil Notre Dame's early season perfect record.

"They're very well coached," said Notre Dame's head Coach Rick Mancuso. "Brian (Palone) is doing a great job. That (Tommy) Manzella kid is a terrific quarterback. They're tough, there's no doubt about it. They spread you out all over, they throw the ball. I give them all the credit in the world. I thought they played very well tonight."

Palone said his team is young. They let the game get away from them when Nate Woods returned a punt 50 yards for a TD, making the score 15-14 following a two-point conversion.

"That changed the momentum," Palone said.

While Manzella showed he could still march his offense down the field -- he passed for 192 yards on the night on 27 completions -- the Hornets couldn't finish the deal in the red zone.

"Overall I fell like we were right in there," Palone said. "Our kids were fighting hard just like we ask them -- 'give 110 percent.' We’ve got a lot of sophomores out there. We’re just very young this year, so we’re going to make mistakes, but we’re just going to learn from our mistakes and improve."

The scoring started in the first quarter when Nick Taylor capped a Notre Dame drive with a 16-yard run.

But O-A's no-huddle offensive helped the Hornets get the momentum back and the defense was being pretty stingy, twice intercepting Tim McCulley.

Two O-A drives in the second quarter ended in TDs -- a three-yard run by Manzella and a two-yard pass by Manzella to Chris Nanni.

By the fourth quarter, Notre Dame's running game was nearly unstoppable. 

Taylor finished the game with 87 yards on the ground on 17 carries. Nick Conklin had 82 yards rushing on 11 carries.

ND's two fourth-quarter TDs were a five-yard run by Taylor and Woods hauling in a 25-yard pass from McCulley.

McCulley finished with 107 in the air on 16 completions.

Mancuso said his young team played two great quarters to start each of their previous games and then "sort of frittered it away" in second halfs, but Friday the team played better in the second half than the first.

"With a young group of kids like we've got, that's what you expect," Mancuso said. "I want to get us to the point where we're playing four full quarters of football."

As for O-A, which was shut out three times in 2010 on its way to a 0-7 season, following a 2-5 campaign in 2009, Coach Palone is disappointed in his team's 0-3 start, but he said he's seeing progress for the Hornets.

"I feel like this program is heading in the right direction," Palone said. "Every day and each and every game you can see that we’re improving. We’re hanging right in there with these teams now, where last year and the year before we weren’t right in there with the games. They were breaking the games wide open. This year, we're right there."

Car crash with minor injuries at TL and Maple roads, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Town Line and Maple roads. Town of Alabama Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding. One person is complaining of a leg injury and requests an evaluation.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: An ambulance from Oakfield is also requested to the scene. The accident is blocking the roadway.

UPDATE 4:32 p.m.: A 17-year-old girl is being transported to UMMC complaining of rib pain. There was air-bag deployment in her vehicle and the steering wheel broke. Another patient is also being transported there.

Law and Order: Man accused of stealing child's dirt bike in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Benjamin W. Muntz, 22, of 6966 Knowlesville Road, Basom, is charged with burglary, 3rd. Muntz is accused of entering a barn on a residential property on Judge Road, Alabama, and stealing a small-sized, child's dirt bike.

Janet Rae Langer, 33, South Street, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Langer is accused of striking another woman in the head and pulling her hair. The alleged incident was reported at 7:20 p.m., Saturday.

Spencer J. Hilderbrant, 17, of South Street Road, Pavilion, and Jamie L. Gutowski, 18, of Alleghany Road, Corfu, are charged with trespass. Hilderbrandt and Gutowski are accused of being on the property of Rolling Hills Asylum, Bethany Center Road, Bethany, without permission of the owner.

Roy K. Way, 31, of 32 Brooklyn Ave., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, speeding and no seat belt. Way was stopped at 12:06 p.m., Monday, on Brooklyn Avenue after allegedly being observed speeding on Pearl Street by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Jared L. Diehl, 23, of 4563 Chapel St., Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and operating without headlights. Diehl was stopped at 12:02 a.m., Tuesday, on Gateway Drive, by Officer Darryl Streeter.

Car becomes unhitched, hits tree and house in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A car attached to a motorhome on Route 77, Alabama, became unhitched, and it careened into a tree and then a house.

The accident is in the area of 7781 Alleghany Road.

There are no injuries reported.

Alabama Fire Department dispatched.

Photo submitted by Caitlyn Klotzbach


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Police Beat: Akron resident accused of DWI, leaving scene of accident

By Howard B. Owens

Richard W. Rumble Jr., 26, of 9229 County Line Road, Akron, is charged with with aggravated DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, unsafe backing and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Rumble allegedly backed into a car at a restaurant on West Main Street, Batavia, and then left the scene. Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice stopped Rumble's car a short time later. The alleged incident was reported at 11:04 p.m., Saturday. 

Darik Robert Michael Orbaker, 19, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, 1st. Orbaker allegedly violated an order of protection by being in the presence of the protected person.

John Thomas Harley, 32, of Gordon Street, Buffalo, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and operating with a suspended license. Harley was stopped at 5:10 p.m., Sunday, on Route 77 at Darien Lake by Deputy Chris Parker. Harley was then turned over to law enforcement out of Erie County on a family court warrant.

Gary Robert Murray, 55, of Gorton Road, Basom, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Murray is accused of recklessly damaging the car of another person during a confrontation with that person.

Timothy Philip Maher, 20, of John Street, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Maher was allegedly found at Darien Lake Theme Park Campgrounds at 6:50 p.m., Aug. 6, trespassing from site to site.

Jason Louis Buoni, 21, of Barton Street, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Buoni was allegedly found at Darien Lake Theme Park Campgrounds at 6:50 p.m., Aug. 6, trespassing from site to site.

Vehicle goes around Alabama barricade, now stuck in ditch

By Billie Owens

A caller reports that a blue SUV went around a barricade put up by the Town of Alabama near the entrance to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. It's now stuck in a ditch and the occupants are said to be drinking alcohol. Sheriff's deputies are en route.

Fire in the bathroom of house on Bloomingdale Road

By Billie Owens

A fire is reported in the bathroom of a home on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, located at 393 Bloomingdale Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Indian Falls.

UPDATE 12:39: The address was incorrect. It is 493 Bloomingdale Road, located off the roadway between Martin and Parker roads.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: The fire is out. An ambulance is requested to the scene for a victim of smoke inhalation.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: The chief says the fire was likely sparked by a faulty electrical outlet.

UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: The Alabama and Indian Falls units are back in service.

Minor injuries reported in accident on Lewiston Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Two people suffered minor injuries Friday when a car they were in traveled off Lewiston Road and overturned.

Susan M. Geiger, 39, of Ridge Road, Medina, reportedly lost control of the car after she had driven onto the north shoulder of Lewiston and attempted to get back on the highway.

The investigation report prepared by Sgt. Greg Walker indicates the roadway was recently resurfaced with a stone and oil base.

The accident occurred at 6:07 p.m. in the area of 1768 Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Geiger and her passenger, Stephanie M. Persons, 21, had complaints of pain but were not transported to a hospital.

Police Beat: Bail set at $25K for man accused of burglarizing home in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Christopher Michael Lambert, 31, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd. Lambert is accused of entering a residence on Log City Road, Elba, after being told to stay away. Lambert allegedly stole money and a new Garmin GPS unit. Bail was set at $25,000.

Jenea Marie Macleod, 27, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating an ATV on a public highway and no headlights on an ATV. Macleod was stopped at 10:08 p.m., Saturday, on Genesee Street in Pembroke by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Tracy Lynn Polak, 40, of Aldercreek South Road, North Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating with registration suspended or revoked and driver's view obstructed. Polak was stopped at 10:36 p.m., Wednesday, on Route 77, Corfu, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Jonathan David Eldred, 27, of Main Road, Akron, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Eldred was arrested at 10:46 p.m., Friday, at a residence on Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, when he was allegedly found in possession of heroin and a needle during an investigation into an overdose.

Austin M. Heineman, 17, of Marble Road, Akron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating out of class and failure to keep right. Heineman was arrested following an investigation into an accident that was reported at 12:43 a.m., Saturday, on Sandhill Road, Alabama, by Deputy James Diehl. In the accident, Heineman was reportedly driving south on Sandhill Road when he lost control of the car and it overturned. His passenger, Timothy Ryan, 17, was transported to UMMC with non-life threatening injuries.

Mitchell Gregory Hoinski, 25, of Boll Street, Sloan, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hoinski was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 11:42 p.m., Friday, in the parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park. Hoinski reportedly attended the Rascal Flatts concert earlier in the evening. 

Photos: A drive back from Alabama on Saturday

By Howard B. Owens

Driving back from Alabama on Saturday afternoon, it was one of those late summer days that reminds you we're so lucky to live in Genesee County. And if you're reading this and don't live in Genesee County, my condolences.

I put the photos I took in a slide show so you can use the button in the lower left to expand the photos to a full screen view.

Photos: Alabama Jam 2011

By Howard B. Owens

Following the Mud Races, I stopped by the Alabama Jam at the Alabama Tee Off on Route 77.

What I found was some good music from a Medina-based band, a great reception from lots of friendly people and great weather. Unfortunately, I couldn't hang out until the headliners. the Trolls, took the stage, but I had a good time while I was there.

More pictures after the jump:

One-vehicle rollover accident in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A one-car rollover accident is reported at 1768 Lewiston Road in Alabama. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Unknown injuries.

UPDATE 6:13 p.m.: The occupants are out of the car. There are no injuries.

Large fuel spill at Arrow Hawk Smoke Shop

By Billie Owens

A big hose on a gasoline tanker reportedly broke and a large amount of fuel was leaking at the Arrow Hawk Smoke Shop, located at 852 Bloomingdale Road in Alabama.

About 30 gallons of fuel has spilt but the leakage has been stopped.

Alabama Fire Department is now on scene.

Photo: First Universalist Cemetery

By Howard B. Owens

Every once in a while I'll drive down a road I've been down many times and spot something I've never seen before. Today, it as the First Universalist Cemetery on Maple Street Road in Alabama. The cemetery features a large, jagged stone with a wood sign in front of it listing all of the people believed to be buried in the cemetery. All of them appear to have died before the middle part of the 19th Century. Most of the grave markers are moved or broken.

Bluegrass concert to be held at Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church

By Billie Owens

Like to hear a good banjo and fiddle? Well, you're in for a treat. The Wissmann Family will perform live bluegrass music starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church.

The church is located at 2210 Judge Road. A free-will offering is appreciated.

Two-car accident with injuries in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries, not blocking traffic, is reported at Allegany Road near Roberts Road Route 63 and the Orleans/Genesee county line.

Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. "All parties are conscious. There is an infant involved." A second ambulance is requested out of Medina.

UPDATE: 3:13 p.m.: A responder says "We have three adults and three small children. All injuries appear to be minor at this time."

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