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Alabama

Lots of weather-related car wrecks

By Billie Owens

Predictably, the weather is creating hazardous road conditions. There are at least four accidents now -- and cars have careened off the roads in several other places countywide.

One car is well off the road on the westbound 490 at the Bergen exit.

Another accident is reported on the Thruway at mile marker 399.9, eastbound. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments responded. Air-bag deployment, no injuries.

Alabama Fire Department is responding to an accident on Alleghany Road, just south of Ham Road. Car, with heavy front-end damage, and a tractor-trailer.

Route 5 overpass of the Thruway. Driver only, no injuries, heavy front-end damage.

GCEDC to hold public meeting on draft report about proposed tech park

By Billie Owens

Next month, the Genesee County Economic Development Center officials will hold a public information meeting to discuss preliminary results of the draft environmental impact report concerning STAMP.

That stands for Science, Technology, Advanced Manufacturing Park -- a proposed large scale, high-tech/clean-tech, manufacturing park planned near the intersection of Judge Road and Route 77 in Alabama.

The meeting will take place beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Alabama Fire Hall, located at 2230 Judge Road, in Basom.

The draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) includes an economic impact study, environmental study, master plan update, traffic impact study, the utility plan summary and provisions for farmland protection.

The proposed location for STAMP, according to its supporters, is considered ideal because of immediate access to transmission level electric power, reduced cost hydropower, a high capacity gas line, and the New York State Thruway.

STAMP is being developed as a campus-like setting to attract companies which produce computer chips, flat panel display units, semiconductors or similar products. Operations of this size could provide thousands of medium- to higher-income jobs to residents of Genesee and surrounding counties.

Alabama residents will receive an informational postcard in the mail encouraging attendance to February's public informational meeting. But everyone interested in this critical project is encouraged to attend.

Police Beat: Bail set at 10K for man accused of stealing drugs

By Howard B. Owens

Adam Richard Kopp, 20, of Bushhill Road, Farmersville, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and petit larceny. Kopp is of stealing and then possessing a quantity of Lortab tablets. Kopp was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Dana Douglas Hagen, 31, of Batavia-Byron Townline Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely and no seat belt. Hagen was allegedly involved in a personal injury accident at 11:08 p.m., Wednesday, in the area of 7812 Fotch Road, Stafford. Hagen's car reportedly struck a utility pole at that location.

Penny S. Hofert, 45, of 11 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hofert is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General.

Police Beat: Woman accused of calling her grandmother vulgar names

By Howard B. Owens

Melissa Ann Peterson, 25, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Peterson is accused of placing a phone call to her grandmother and calling her "filthy, vulgar words," according to Deputy Brian Thompson, who reported that he was at the grandmother's house at the time of the phone call and was a "direct witness to this harassing, annoying call." Thompson was on scene investigating a report of stolen keys. Peterson was arrested and released on her own recognizance.

Tracy A. Niemi, 35, of 8510 Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with forgery, 2nd. Niemi is accused of altering a prescription form and attempting to pass it at a pharmacy in the city.

Jonathon James Breu, 19, of Meadow Drive, Geneseo, is charged with petit larceny. Breu is accused of stealing $63 worth of cigarettes from the Totem Pole Smoke Shop.

Two-car collision on Bloomingdale Road

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at 385 Bloomingdale Road in front of Jan's Smoke Shop.

There is a minor neck injury reported. The location is between Shanks and Martin roads on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Alabama fire and Mercy BLS are responding.

Photos: The Christmas Light Truck

By Howard B. Owens

James Dwyer spends most of his year driving coast-to-coast as a long-haul trucker, but for two weeks around Christmas, he gets to stay home, so he parks his truck and drapes strands of more than 400 feet of Christmas lights over it.

The 48-foot-long flatbed trailer is decorated by his wife with various animated characters.

He's been decorating his truck every Christmas for about eight years and he says each year it seems to grow in popularity, with more and more people driving by his Knowlesville Road home to check it out. To get there, take Lewiston Road/Lockport Road in Alabama and head north on Knowlesville.

Police Beat: Woman accused of resisting arrest, spitting on patrol car equipment

By Howard B. Owens

Summer Ogden, 34, of 4036 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, attempted criminal mischief, 4th, and criminal tampering, 3rd. At 6:28 p.m., Monday, the Sheriff's Office attempted to execute a warrant out of Batavia City Court for her arrest for allegedly violating probation. While taking Ogden into custody, she allegedly physically struggled with deputies. After the arrest, she was allegedly found in possession of an illegal knife. During transport to Genesee County Jail, Ogden allegedly kicked at the windows of the patrol car and spit on equipment inside of the car. Ogden was jailed on $2,500 bail. (Prior reports on Summer Ogden)

Eric James Flowers, 23, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone), 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation and uninspected motor vehicle. At 8:21 a.m., Dec. 5, Flowers was observed by Deputy Brian Thompson driving on Trumbull Parkway, Batavia. Flowers was known, according to Thompson, to have a suspended or revoked driver's license. After being stopped, Flowers was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and hydrocodone.

Collin Michael Camp, 19, of North Spreet, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unsafe speed. Camp was arrested at 12:20 p.m., Dec. 5, after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana during an accident investigation conducted by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Timothy R. Tucker, 45, of Medina, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Tucker was arrested by State Police at 3:13 p.m., Saturday, following an investigation into a two-car accident on Alleghany Road, Alabama. No injuries were reported in the accident.

Car down an embankment, minor injury, on Lockport Road

By Howard B. Owens

A car has gone off the road and down an embankment in the area of Lockport and Lewiston roads in Alabama.

A minor injury is reported.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: Thus far, first responders have been unable to locate the accident.  The 9-1-1 call did not provide automatic GPS data. A chief notes that there is also a Lockport Road and Lewiston Road intersection in Niagara County. It sounds like first responders have searched the area a good deal on Lockport and Lewiston on both sides of the road. The caller did state her car was "well down" the embankment.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: Another call has come in for an accident off of North Byron Road, and dispatchers think it may be the same accident with a more accurate location.

UPDATE 7:40 a.m.: The accident appears to be in the area of 7335 N. Byron Road. Note: Lockport Road becomes North Byron somewhere west of Route 98. Elba ambulance requested to the scene to check minor cuts on the driver's face.


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Blowing snow blamed for four-car accident on Route 77, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Blowing snow and whiteout conditions are blamed for a four-car accident on Route 77, Alabama, at 7:09 a.m., Wednesday that injured only person, who did not require hospitalization.

Earl E. Howard Jr., 17, of Route 98, Attica, was southbound on Route 77 near Route 63 in blowing snow.

Jonathan R. Callard, 27, of Bates Road, Medina, also heading south, slowed down for a snowplow, which prompted Rebecca J. Lindsay, 24, of Telegraph Road, Medina, to reduce speed, too.

Because of the blowing snow, Howard reportedly did not see the cars ahead of him braking. His 1998 Chevy truck hit Lindsay's 2001 Ford sedan, causing it to strike Callard's 1995 Ford sedan.

Alyssa M. Dombrowski, 20, of South Avenue, Medina, was also southbound. Due to whiteout conditions, she reportedly did not see the accident and her 2000 Chevy sedan struck Howard's truck, causing it to strike Lindsay's car.

Lindsay suffered only a minor injury.

No citations were issued.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Alabama man's body found in car following fire

By Howard B. Owens

After extinguishing a car fire at 1364 Church St., Alabama, last night, volunteer firefighters made a sad discovery -- the body of the 60-year-old man who lived at that address was found in the car.

Sheriff's officials believe the car of Harry C. Kramer IV, became stuck in the snow as he was trying to pull out of his driveway. Kramer apparently suffered some sort of medical event that left him with his foot stuck on the accelerator. The engine then apparently overheated, starting the fire.

The car fire was called in at 9:55 p.m. and Alabama Fire was dispatched.

Kramer's body was found by firefighters in the driver's seat of the vehicle after the fire was put out.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating Kramer's exact cause of death. Coroner Jack Taylor pronounced Kramer dead at the scene.

Woman struck by hit-and-run driver on Council House Road

By Howard B. Owens

A 46-year-old woman was taken by Mercy Flight this morning to ECMC after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Sherri L. Abrams, a Skye Road resident, was walking eastbound when she was struck by an eastbound car driven by a person who fled the scene at 5:26 a.m.

No vehicle description was released.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Parked truck's headlights prevented driver from seeing pedestrians on Roberts Road

By Howard B. Owens

A driver said the headlights from a DEC truck parked on Roberts Road, Basom, prevented him from clearly seeing a group of people standing along the roadside about an hour after sunset yesterday leading to an accident that injured six men.

All six men were standing along the road. One of them was a Department of Environmental Conservation officer who was checking on hunting licenses.

Injured where:

  • Gary D. Olson, 52, of Avon. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight.
  • David Swooper, 39, of Youngstown. He was transported to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight.
  • Shawn C. Bailey, 22, of Lockport. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Charles R. Smith, 72, of Gasport. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Stephan C. Olay, 39, of Ransomville. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Patrick N. Green, 21, of Youngstown. He was transported to ECMC.

The driver, Erik Olsen, 55, of Roberts Road, Basom, was not injured.

Olsen was westbound on Roberts Road at 5:49 p.m. The DEC truck was parked facing east, in the westbound lane.

No citations were issued, according to the Sheriff's Office accident report, prepared by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Alabama Fire, Oakfield Ambulance, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management assisted at the scene.

(Initial Report)

Multible ambulances, Mercy Flight respond to motor-vehicle accident on Roberts Road, Basom

By Howard B. Owens

Three ambulances have been requested to the scene of a motor-vehicle accident in the area of 1910 Roberts Road, Basom.

Mercy EMS and Oakfield's ambulance have been requested to the scene.

Mercy Flight is responding from Buffalo and Batavia.

Alabama Fire responding.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: First Mercy Flight ETA is four minutes. All victims are out of the vehicles. No extrication is required.

UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: One Mercy Flight is on the ground. The pilot of that of the first Mercy Flight has said a second landing zone needs to be established because Mercy Flight 7 sits closer to the ground and cannot land in the cornfield used for the first landing zone.

UPDATE 6:27 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7 on the ground.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7 in the air. If the first Mercy Flight has left the scene, we missed the call.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m.: One flight headed to ECMC, the other to Strong.


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Truck reportedly on fire on Tonawanda reservation

By Howard B. Owens

A truck fire has been reported in the area of 271 Council House Road, Basom.

Alabama Fire is responding.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: An Akron firefighter on scene reports the truck is fully involved. He also says the correct address is 7003 Council House Road. An Alabama chief arriving on scene confirms the address.

UPDATE 5:02 p.m.: Alabama chief says units can respond non-emergency. The truck isn't near a building.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: All Alabama units are clear.


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Police Beat: Oakfield man accused of shoplifting cigarettes

By Howard B. Owens

David Wayne King, 53, of Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. King is accused of shoplifting cigarettes from Jan's Smoke Shop on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Andrew R. Osborne, 18, of Drake Street, Oakfield, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Osborne is accused of sending inappropriate pictures to a female victim.

Joshua Charles Brownell, 19, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with stalking, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Brownell is accused of blocking a road with his vehicle and then exiting his vehicle and threatening another person.

Patrick Raymond Krieger, 20, of Genesee Street Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Krieger was approached at Kmart by Deputy Brian Thompson regarding alleged illegal tinting of his windows. During the interview, Thompson allegedly found Krieger to be in possession of marijuana.

Thomas William Glass, 37, of Steven Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Deputy Brian Thompson stopped Glass in the Village of Corfu for an alleged traffic violation at 1:40 p.m., Tuesday. During the traffic stop, K-9 "Jay" alerted on the vehicle.

Douglas James Karek, 50, of Geary Street, Buffalo, was picked up on a warrant out of Erie County Family Court. Karek was identified during a traffic stop on Route 33 in Corfu (Karek was reportedly a passenger in the vehicle driven by Glass above).

Structure fire on Pine Street in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A structure fire, believed to have begun in a bedroom, is reported at 7154 Pine St. in Oakfield. It's off of Maple Avenue, the last street coming out of the village.

Oakfield, Alabama and Elba fire units are called to respond.

UPDATE 12:56 a.m.: Firefighters are working on extricating people from the building.

UPDATE 12:58 a.m.: An investigator requested to the scene. At least one person is out of the building and requires medical attention.

UPDATE 1:06 a.m.: National Grid notified. No ETA.

UPDATE 1:24 a.m.: Fire's been knocked out.

UPDATE: Further updates on this fire will be available in the morning.

 


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Two people injured in accident on Reuben Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A driver who hit a car that stalled on Reuben Road, Alabama, after it ran out of gas, said that he looked down at his radio just before he came upon the car and didn't see it in time to stop.

Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the accident.

Jason G. Moneau, 33, of Summit Street, Batavia, was driving a 1991 Dodge sedan at 10:02 p.m., Friday, when he hit a car which had pulled to the side of the road in the area of 7415 Reuben Road.

A passenger of the parked car, Mae E. Hryhorenko, 30, was transported to UMMC.

Moneau was transported by ground ambulance to Erie County Medical Center.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Jason Diehl.

A handwritten note on the investigation report says, "traffic charges are pending."

Accident with injuries reported in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A two car accident with injuries is reported in the area of 7415 Reuben Road, Alabama.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS being dispatched.

UPDATE 10:14 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested to the scene.

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