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Alabama

Serious injury accident reported on Ledge Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A car has hit a telephone pole in the area of 1301 Ledge Road, Alabama. Multiple callers to dispatch indicate serious injuries with one person unconscious.

Mercy Flight 5 is being dispatched.

Alabama Fire Department responding along with full response from Indian Falls and Pembroke.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition.

UPDATE (By Billie) 8:30 a.m.: A Mercy ambulance is dispatched because the driver is also injured. Ledge Road is shut down at Alleghany.

UPDATE 8:33 a.m.: The helicopter in Buffalo is put on ground standby in case it's also needed.

UPDATE 8:37 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed. National Grid has a 15-minute ETA. The utility pole is broken in half.

UPDATE 8:43 a.m.: Ledge Road is also closed near the Totem Pole Smoke Shop located at 1031 Ledge Road.

UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: The driver, who is the boy's father, is being transported to Erie County Medical Center via ambulance.

UPDATE 8:51 a.m.: Mercy Flight will transport the child to Womens & Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 8:56 a.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne.

UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: The Crash Management Team is at the accident site investigating. The sedan involved was split competely in two, between the front and back seats.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: The Alabama assignment is back in service. A half lane of traffic remains blocked due to the National Grid repair work under way.


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Law and Order: Tennesee couple allegedly caught in the woods off Park Road making meth

By Howard B. Owens
Ricky A. Leach Jr. Jessica M. Ring

Ricky A. Leach Jr., 33, and Jessica M. Ring, 28, both of 1605 Green Circle, Goodletsville, Tenn., are charged with criminal possession of the precursors for methamphetamine and making methamphetamine. State Police responded to the wooded area near Target after receiving a report of suspicious activity. Leach and Ring were allegedly caught in the act of making meth. Both were jailed on $10,000 bail each.

Kiernan William Kinney, 24, of Woodstock Gardens, Batavia, is charged with sexual abuse, 1st. Kinney is accused of subjecting a 21-year-old woman to forced sexual contact.

Juan A. Roman, 36, of 17 Elm St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Roman is accused of head butting another person during an alleged incident at 2 p.m. Wednesday on Walnut Street, Batavia.

Michael D. Snyder, 41, of 13 1/2 Union St., Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Also charged, Edward T. Lette Jr., 43, of 3827 W. Main St., Batavia. Snyder and Lette are accused of stealing two 30-packs of beer from Tops. The suspects reportedly fled the store on bicycles and were apprehended minutes later by state troopers and Batavia PD officers.

Rachell Onie Soggs, 25, of West Main Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Soggs is accused of stealing $28.74 in merchandise from Walmart on Aug. 17. Soggs reportedly left the store before she could be located by authorities. Soggs was also arrested on charges of falsifying business records and criminal possession of stolen property. Soggs allegedly tried to sell stolen property at a local business.

Harold Laverne Howard, 41, of Alleghany Road, Basom, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, speeding (73 mph in a 45 mph zone), failure to stop for stop sign and no plate lamp. Howard was stopped at 2:37 a.m. on Route 77, Basom, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Latoya D. Jackson, 27, of 209 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use a weapon and harassment, 2nd. These are additional charges stemming from an alleged incident Aug. 19 in which Jackson allegedly cut two people with a knife.

Car fire on Meadville Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A car fire is reported near 6751 Meadville Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: The car fire is out. Alabama is back in quarters.

Residential fire reported on Council House Road on the reservation

By Billie Owens

A fire is reported in a residence at 380 Council House Road on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Indian Falls and Oakfield.

UPDATE 6 a.m.: Alabama command puts Indian Falls and Oakfield back in service and orders Alabama to continue in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 6:09 a.m.: Alabama command puts two responding Alabama units back in service.

Photos: An egret and a tree in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Egrets, I find, are very tough birds to photograph. I've tried dozens of times both at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and at the Batavia Sewer Treatment Plant. You really need a longer lens than I own (and probably can never realistically expect to own) because they spook so easily. This shot was the last one in a series taken yesterday at the refuge just before the bird flew off, and the only one that was in focus.

Heading back to Batavia, I stopped for the photo below of a lone pine tree on a hill off Route 77 in Alabama.

Law and Order: Warrant suspect accused of resisting arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Corey James Hemmer, 27, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with resisting arrest. Hemmer allegedly resisted when a deputy attempted to place him under arrest on a bench warrant. The warrant was related to a petit larceny charge out of Lockport.

Stephen William Miles, 51, of North Street Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Miles is accused of participating with David Martin in the theft of a 46" LED television from Kmart on Sunday night. Miles was jailed on $1,000 bail.

TyAnna Desiree Green, 18, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is was arrested on bench warrants out of the Town of Batavia, for alleged failure to appear. Green was jailed on $500 bail.

Christopher J. Clark, 33, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Clark is accused of shoplifting from Walmart. Clark was arrested by State Police.

Michael T. Sawyer, 23, of Lockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Sawyer arrested by State Police on Skye Road, Alabama.

3rd Annual Prayer Conference

By Tracy Byrnes

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE...Batavia Assembly of God Church is hosting its 3rd Annual Prayer Conference Friday, Sept. 13th, 6:00pm to 9:00pm (registration is from 6pm - 7pm) and Saturday, Sept. 14th, 8:00am to 4pm. The theme for the conference is "Presence, Prayer, and the Power of God". The keynote speaker will be Dick LaFountain. Dick is an accomplished  speaker and a published author of the book, "Time Alone With God". His passion is to motivate a renewed love for prayer and the presence of God in our churches. Workshops will also be available.

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: Darien Lake patron reportedly didn't like the cost of his Dip'in Dots

By Howard B. Owens

Anthony Gene Stone, 24, of Delmar Road, Greece, is charged with disorderly conduct. Stone reportedly didn't like the price of his Dip'in Dots while visiting Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort at 6:28 p.m. Saturday. While arguing with the Dip'in Dots attendant, Stone allegedly picked up the cash registered and slammed it back down.

Nathan W. Larson

Nathan W. Larson, 23, of 24 South St., Le Roy, is charged with attempted rape, 1st, and two counts of criminal sexual act, 1st. Larson is accused of attempting to engage in sexual intercourse with a person by force while at a residence in the Village of Le Roy on Saturday. During the incident, Larson allegedly engaged in other sexual conduct against the victim both by force and while the victim was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless. Larson was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Jennifer Lyn Stack, 27, of 46 S. Main St., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stack allegedly stole $105 cash that was stowed in a vehicle.

Adam R. Mcleod, 27, of 37 Austin St., Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal obstruction of breaking or blood circulation. Mcleod was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at a residence on Elm Street in Batavia at 2 a.m. Saturday.

Steven A. Acevedo, 23, of 238 Ellicott St., upper front, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, menacing, 3rd, coercion, intimidation to instill fear of injury and criminal mischief. Acevedo was allegedly involved in a domestic incident Wednesday at his residence. Acevedo was ordered held without bail.

Kenneth J. Schmoke, 57, of 132 State St., #2, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Schmoke is accused of possessing prescription medications and drug paraphernalia.

Patricia A. Dulmage, 18, of 20 Dellinger Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief.  Dulmage is accused of damaging property of another family member during a domestic incident.

Richard C. Hutchinson, 43, of 3 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hutchinson is accused of shoplifting from Tops.

Nicholas Ian Iacubucci, 24, of Trabold Road, Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct. Iacubbucci was allegedly obstructing traffic on Route 77 in front of Darien Lake Theme Park at 10:59 p.m., Tuesday. Iacubucci was reportedly intoxicated at the time.

Sean Nevan Lindquist, 50, of Judge Road, Basom, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and possession of a controlled substance not in original container.  Lindquist was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Patrick Reeves into a one-car accident on Martin Road, Alabama, at 10:19 p.m. Saturday. Lindquist allegedly drove his vehicle too fast around a curve, lost control, and the vehicle went into a ditch.

Cody J. Sundown, 23, of Skye Road, Alabama, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without an interlock device, criminal mischief, 4th, no seat belt, loud exhaust and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Sundown was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile into a report of criminal mischief on Skye Road at 4:41 a.m., Saturday. Sundown allegedly drove over a mailbox on Skye Road.

Donald Wayne Sczepanski, 50, of Alleghany Road, Darien Center, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unsafe passing and unsafe tire. Sczepanski was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Patrick Reeves into a motor-vehicle accident at 9:19 p.m. Friday on Route 238, Alexander. Sczepanski reportedly lost control of his vehicle while allegedly attempting to pass another vehicle. His car wound up in a ditch.

Timothy Lee Shuknecht, 23, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st. Shuknecht allegedly provided alcohol to a person under age 21.

Larry Charles Bayles, 52, of East Wautoma Beech Road, Hilton, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes, speeding, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of marijuana. Bayles was stopped at 4:10 p.m. July 28 on West Sweden Road, Bergen, by Sgt. Ron Meides.

Jared L. Long, 43, of Bergen, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Long was stopped at 8:40 p.m. Saturday on Prole Road, Stafford, by State Police.

The Orleans County Sheriff's Office reports that 19 people, including people from Genesee County, were cited Sunday morning for possession or consumption of alcohol under age 21 following a complaint of a loud party on New Guinea Road, west of Upper Holley Road. Deputies found several cars, a camper, several tents and a large bonfire. There were some 60 to 70 people at the party, most of them consuming alcohol, according to the press release. The property owner, who was not present, was notified and he declined to press trespassing charges.

ATV rider remains hospitalized after spending eight hours in ditch with broken legs

By Howard B. Owens

An ATV rider with two broken legs who spent at least eight hours lying in a ditch by the side of Meadville Road, Basom, before being found by another person remains hospitalized.

Arlyn L. Jonathan, 34, of Shanks Road, Alabama, was reportedly driving an ATV on Meadeville Road at 1 a.m., Thursday, when he lost control and went off the roadway.

As the ATV flipped over, Jonathan was ejected and struck a tree. His ATV struck another tree.

He apparently had no means of communication and wasn't found until about 8 a.m.

Alabama Fire Department respond to the scene and Jonathan was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

A hospital staff member said Jonathan remains hospitalized but his condition is not listed on his records.

Deputy Lonnie Nati investigated the accident and reported the cause as "unsafe speed." He did not report any citations being issued.

Local company demonstrates field drainage system to help farmers grow more corn

By Howard B. Owens

The high price of corn the past few years has local farmers trying to figure out how to increase their yields, according to Drew Klotzbach, owner of Alleghany Farm Services, and one way is to improve the drainage of the field.

The better the draining, especially in wet years such as this one, the more corn that will grow.

One of the specialties of Klotzbach's company is installing drainage tiles and he said he's seen an increase in demand locally in recent years.

"It's just a way to improve production," Klotzbach said. "They've got to improve the land. They're not making more land, so ..."

Klotzbach hosted an open house today for interested parties on a farm field next to his business lot on Route 77 in Alabama. Along with his son and employees, he demonstrated his GPS-guided trenching and tile-laying machines.

"It's all about getting the water off the ground faster," Klotzbach said.

The tiles -- more like hoses these days -- are perforated and collect water and drain it off into retention ponds.

"In dry years, it will even help bring up water from the bottom," Klotzbach said.

Possible broken leg reported in accident on Meadville Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Alabama Fire Department is responding to a motor-vehicle accident on Meadville Road where the driver reportedly has a broken leg and says his vehicle has been stuck in a ditch for eight hours.

Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia requested to the scene.

Photos: Ag in Alabama and Stafford on a sunshine day

By Howard B. Owens

You don't see rectangular hay bales much these days, but while out in Alabama this afternoon I spotted a few in a field off Maple Street Road.

And below, a tractor in a field off Sanders Road, Stafford.

Car crash at Route 77 and Ledge Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A person is believed to have a fractured leg and is not able to get out of the vehicle. It is blocking traffic.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: Another ambulance is requested along with aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls fire. There are two additional patients, one with a head injury, and the other with a spine and neck injury.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: The landing zone will be an adjacent strawberry field.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: The helicopter landed a couple of minutes ago.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, bound for Strong Memorial Hospital. A Mercy medic ambulance is taking one patient to Unity Hospital in Rochester, formerly named Park Ridge Hospital.

 

Law and Order: Accident investigation leads to drug charges

By Howard B. Owens

Sandra Lynn Cortright, 54, of Gorton Road, Basom, is charged with driving a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. Cortright was arrested Monday following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident at 6:34 a.m., May 13, on Gorton Road, Alabama. The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Kenneth M. Gray Jr., 21, of 77 Myrtle St., Le Roy, was arrested by Batavia PD on a warrant out of City Court on an alleged harassment, 2nd, charge. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Trista Nichole Leann Winchell, 28, of Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, following too closely and inadequate brakes. Winchell was allegedly driving in heavy post-concert traffic on Route 77 at 9:57 p.m., Tuesday, when her vehicle struck another car. The accident was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Matthew Ray Helf, 23, of Woodstream Drive, Grand Island, is charged with criminal tampering, 3rd ,and harassment, 2nd. Helf allegedly grabbed his girlfriend and then threw her phone some distance while in the grass parking lot at Darien Lake Theme Park during a concert. The phone could not be located after the alleged incident.

Joseph Mattew Mullholland, 26, of Lincoln Avenue, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Mullholland allegedly punched the rear corner panel of a car while at the Stafford Carnival at 1:30 a.m., June 15.

Danielle Marie Balbick, 32, of Covington Street, Perry, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, controlled substance not in original container, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and unlawful possession of marijuana. Balbick was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 5:11 p.m., Sunday, on Route 33, Batavia, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. 

Jonathan Lee Olsen, 29, of Water Street, Perry, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and obstructed view. Olsen's vehicle was stopped at 5:11 p.m., Sunday, on Route 33, Batavia, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy after dispatchers received a report of a vehicle being driven erratically.

Brandy Lynn Miller, 39, of Lewiston Road, Basom, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Miller is accused of making harassing and threatening calls to another person.

John Chester Miller, 41, of Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Miller allegedly sent harassing text messages to a person after being told to have no further contact with that person.

Nahum O. Marshall, 30, of Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct (obstructing traffic). Marshall was arrested by State Police following an alleged incident at 11:30 p.m., Thursday, on Route 77 in the Town of Darien. No further details released.

Rachel P. Luker, 28, of Cement City, Mich., is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of 08 or greater. Luker was stopped at 3:20 p.m., Monday, on Ledge Road, Alabama, by State Police.

Kaileigh M. White, 21, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to obey traffic device. White was stopped at 12:04 a.m., Monday, on Route 77, Darien, by State Police.

Car wreck at Macomber and Town Line roads

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Macomber and Town Line roads. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Neck and head injuries are reported.

UPDATE 1:02 p.m.: Two vehicles involved, both requiring flatbed tows. The accident is blocking traffic.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: A female is being transported to UMMC with head and neck pain. She was riding in the middle of the cab of a pickup truck and struck her head on the rear window when the accident occurred.

UPDATE: Photos submitted by Melissa Sumeriski.

Car crashes into tree in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A car crashed into a tree in Alabama and the elderly female driver reportedly has a back injury and is unable to move but is conscious and alert. Alabama Fire's Engine #1 is responding along with Mercy medics. The location is 7495 Maple St. across from Ledge Road.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: The patient is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 9:39 a.m.: The Alabama assignment is back in service.

Motorcycle rider suffers possible arm injury at end of alleged high speed chase

By Howard B. Owens

Medics and Alabama fire are responding to a location at Judge and Feeder roads, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, to assistant a patient with an apparent arm injurying following a high speed chase that started in a neighboring county.

The pursuit involved a motorcycle and the rider reportedly laid the bike down at Judge and Feeder.

Law and Order: Driver charged with DWI after short pursuit by deputy

By Howard B. Owens

David W. Maxwell, 62, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, failure to dim headlights, failure to keep right, refusal to take breath test and controlled substance not in original container. Deputy Kevin McCarthy spotted Maxwell's car at 10:09 p.m. Tuesday on Route 33 in Pembroke and Maxwell allegedly failed to dim his headlights for oncoming traffic. When McCarthy attempted a traffic stop on Maxwell's car, Maxwell allegedly refused to pull over. A short pursuit followed and Maxwell eventually pulled over on Route 33 in the Town of Batavia.

Donna Marie Kroft, 59, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kroft is accused of shoplifting at Kmart on Tuesday.

Dora Poodry, 19, of Basom, is charged with petit larceny. Poodry was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 9:18 p.m., Wednesday, at a location on Veterans Memorial Drive. No further details released.

Grand jury indicts man for alleged oral sexual conduct with person under 17

By Billie Owens

Here are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Kyle H. Morse is indicted on four counts, all stemming from alleged actions on Sept. 21, 2012 in the Town of Elba.

He is accused of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a class-B felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion.

In count two of the indictment, Morse is accused of sexual abuse in the first degree, a class-D violent felony, for allegedly subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion.

In count three, Morse is accused of criminal sexual act in the third degree, a class-E felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent. This alleged lack of consent was by reason of some factor other than incapacity to consent.

In count four, Morse is accused of sexual misconduct, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent, and the person was deemed incapable of consent by vurtue of being less than 17 years old.

John J. Slack and Penny S. Sprague are both indicted on two counts each stemming from alleged actions June 16-17, 2012 on Knowlesville Road in the Town of Alabama.

In count one, they are accused of second-degree burglary, a class-C violent felony, for allegedly  entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. In count two, they are accused of grand larceny in the third degree, a class-D felony, for allegedly stealing property having a value in excess of $3,000 -- in this case, jewelry, money, electonic devices and other property valued at about $11,000.

Franchesca A. Barrome is accused of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class-E felony. It is alleged that during Feb. 5-17, 2013, in the Town of Batavia she knowingly possessed stolen property with intent to benefit herself or a person other than the owner, or to impede recovery of the property by the owner. The property was a college ID card.

In count two of the indictment, Barrome is accused of petit larceny, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing property by using the ID card to make unauthorized purchases. In count three, she is accused of criminal trespass in the second degree, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling.

Gary W. Woronowski is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for allegedly operating a 2000 Subaru while intoxicated. This allegedly occurred Feb.1, 2013 on Main Road in the Town of Pembroke. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, as a class-E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

Woronowski is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2007 which is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in this indictment.

Chad M. Dart is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for driving a 2013 Chevy pickup on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford on March 10, 2013 while intoxicated. He is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2004, which is within 10 years of the crime alleged in the indicment.

Lastly, the Grand Jury returned a No Bill on DWI charges against Ronald J. Tombari III stemming from alleged incidents which occurred Dec. 12, 2012 in the Town of Pavilion.

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