Alexander

A driver allegedly failed to yield the right of way at the intersection Brookville Road and Route 20, leading to an accident at 1:19 p.m., Saturday, that sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.

Cited was Cortney A. Spiotta, 19, of Bartz Road, Alexander. Spiotta was injured in the accident.

The other driver, William A. Congdon, 47, of Meadowlark Drive, Avon, was also injured. His passenger, Edward J. Howard, 50, was not injured.

Spiotta was reportedly pulling her 2004 Ford SUV from Brookville Road onto Route 20 when Congdon's 2005 Ford sedan struck her vehicle.

Investigator Deputy Chris Parker wrote in his report that Spiotta said she was creeping into the intersection to see if the coast was clear. She said she did not see Congdon's vehicle.

Congdon told Parker that he saw Spiotta's vehicle slow at the intersection and then proceed onto Route 20.

Firefighters from Alexander, Bethany and Darien are requested to stand by in their halls in case they are needed to provide mutual aid to the Attica Fire Department.

UPDATE 12:13 p.m.: Per Attica, all three fire departments are put back in service.

A one-car accident is reported at 2616 Walker Road in Alexander. There is a "very minor injury" but extrication is needed. The car is off the roadway. Alexander fire and ambulance are responding.

On my Sunday drive I took a turn down Brookville Road in Alexander and started to drive past a little craft store I've passed many times, but this time, I decided to stop.

It seemed like a good place to maybe find a present for my mother.

Once inside I met Barbara Richmond, the sweet and caring proprietor (she owns the shop with her husband, Hugh).

Barbara told me all about the store, which is stocked with handmade items from artisans and crafters from throughout Western New York.

A lifelong crafter herself, Barbara got to know many other knitters, quilters and seamstresses during her many years of attending craft shows.

Two years ago, a little weary of traveling to craft shows, Barbara decided to open Simply Homespun in a little shop next to her home at 10431 Brookville Road.

"As I got older, I found I wanted to have something closer to home and many of our vendors are also getting older and they find its easier to sell in one outlet rather than travel distances to put something up for sale," Richmond said.

The little shop is stuffed with what Barbara calls "needful things" -- dish towels, pillows, blankets, pot holders, scarves and hats, for example.

"This was the way I was raised," Richmond said. "We learned to make the things we needed and the things we wanted because you couldn't always afford to buy these things."

The shop is seasonal and is currently stocked with Christmas-themed items.

Store hours March through Dec. 31 are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The phone number is 591-0470, which is important to know because if an item you want isn't in stock, perhaps Barbara can find somebody to make it for you.

"If you need a special time or something special made, we have the people and the time for you," Richmond said.

The crafters who supply Simply Homespun are all located in Western New York, from Buffalo to Rochester, and several right in Genesee County.

"The general public needs to know, too, that there are still things out there that are handmade, that are needful things, that are available," Richmond said. "You don’t need to go to another country (to have things made)."

Santa took a break from his busy schedule to visit Alexander school tonight.

After reading two stories, it was time for Santa to hear what everyone wanted for Christmas.

Then everyone gathered in the cafeteria to frost and decorate cookies!

Chad Alexander Koschuk, 25, of Genesee Street, Alden, is charged with petit larceny. Koschuck is accused of shoplifting a DVD worth $19.99 from Kmart.

Stephanie Lynn Buss, 23, of Genesee Street, Alden, is charged with petit larceny. Buss is accused of shoplifting jewelry worth $20.49 from Kmart.

Kati Mancuso, 28, of Fordham Drive, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mancuso is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Jenny Elizabeth Stephens, 28, of Jerome Place, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stephens is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Christopher James Seller, 49, of Cedar Street, Akron, is charged with DWAI/alcohol and speed in zone (56 mph in a 40 mph zone). Seller was stopped at 12:24 a.m., Wednesday on Route 5, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Philip Michael Busch, 20, of Bowen Road, Alexander, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Busch is accused of hosting an underage drinking party at his home.

A Darien man wanted on a felony assault charge was taken into custody in Darien on Thursday morning and jailed without bail.

Wyatt Becker was arraigned in front of Judge Robert Noonan following his arrest and charged with violation of probation, vehicular assault, 2nd, and felony DWI.

The charges stem from a serious injury accident in Alexander in August.

Becker was in Alexander court a few weeks later where he was arraigned and told he would be going to jail on $5,000. Becker reportedly asked to go to the bathroom and then allegedly walked out of court.

He then missed a court appearance in November and Noonan issued a second warrant for his arrest.

Kurt Hamilton Hawkins Jr., 18, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd. Hawkins, an inmate at the Genesee County Jail, is accused of assaulting another inmate at 4:26 p.m., Thursday. The alleged victim was treated at ECMC where he was held overnight for observation.

Sandra Louis Chilano, 51, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with petit larceny. Chilano is accused of stealing $100 while employed at Alexander Deli as a clerk.

Ryan Christopher Riggi, 16, of Ridge Road, Lyndonville, was arrested on a warrant issued by Batavia City Drug Court. Riggi was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Samual Christopher Dilcher, 28, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dilcher was arrested following a complaint of harassment at 2:10 a.m., Sunday on Park Road in Batavia.

Samual Christopher Dilcher, 28, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Dilcher is accused of smashing the driver-side window out of a pickup truck during an argument at a location on Park Road, Batavia. He is is also charged with trespass. Dilcher was allegedly involved in an incident Nov. 20 in the Batavia Downs parking lot. Upon further investigation Deputy Joseph Graff came to believe that Dilcher had been previously banned from Batavia Downs property.

Christopher Jordan Rhodes, 41, of Transit Road, Wyoming, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI and failure to keep right. Rhodes was stopped at 2:01 a.m., Sunday, on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Zachary Michael Rebert, 20, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Rebert is accused of getting into a domestic dispute with a woman, pushing her several times and then taking her car without her consent. Rebert was jailed on $5,000 bail.

John Edward Bird, 70, of Barrville Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop at a stop sign, moving from lane unsafely and driving left of pavement markings. Bird was stopped at 9:43 P.M., Saturday, on Chapel Road, Byron, by Deputy Jason Saile.

This week the Genesee County Grand Jury issued the following indictments.

Bradley A. Clark is accused of criminal mischief, 2nd, a class D felony, for allegedly intentionally damaging another person's property on May 22. He is alleged to have damaged a 2007 Ford Fusion in an amount exceeding $1,500. He is also accused of criminal contempt in the first degree, a class E felony, because he allegedly violated an order of protection in the City of Batavia on May 22 and caused property damage exceeding $250. In a separate indictment, Clark is accused of first-degree Gang Assault, a class B violent felony. On July 3, he allegedly intentionally caused serious physical injury to another person and was aided by two or more persons present. In count two of the second indictment, Clark is accused of using a dangerous instrument, his footwear, to seriously injure a person in the area of Center Street in the city. That is a class B violent felony -- first-degree assault.

Ronald L. MacGregor is accused of knowingly using a forged prescription for the drug Oxycodone on Oct. 1, 2010, in the City of Batavia. He is also accused of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. Between Oct. 5, 2010 and Sept. 28 of this year, he allegedly used a falsely altered prescription for Oxycodone in the Village of Le Roy. Both counts of the indictment are class D felonies.

Shannon M. Graham is indicted for a misdemeanor crime of driving while intoxicated. It is alleged that on June 9, in the Town of Alexander, Graham drove a 2001 Hyundai on routes 20 and 98 while intoxicated. In count two of the indictment, Graham is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a class E felony. Graham, it says, should have known his license was suspended and that he had in effect three or more suspensions imposed on at least three separate dates for failure to answer, appear or pay a fine.

Jose L. Morales is indicted for burglary in the third degree, a class D felony, for allegedly knowingly entering a church in Bergen with the intention of committing a crime some time between Jan. 10 and Jan. 11. He is also accused of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally damaging another person's property. This included a rear door, office doors, furniture and file cabinets. In the third count of the indictment, Morales is accused of petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing money and postage stamps from a church in the Town of Bergen.

In local politics, there's no bigger name than Barber Conable.

The longtime Genesee County resident started his career as an attorney in Batavia, and eventually became a 10-term congressman who went on to lead the World Bank.

Besides championing creation of 401(k) accounts, Conable also sponsored legislation that eventually made microbreweries possible (though that wasn't his intent -- he just thought one of his constituents should be able to brew his own beer).

Conable remains highly regarded for his integrity and intelligence.

The Post Office in Batavia is named after him as is the Conable Technology Center at Genesee Community College.

Then, there is the matter of his stately house in Alexander.

Conable and his wife, Charlotte, purchased the home in 1959 and raised their four children there. Until recently, Emily Conable lived in the house, but with her youngest son going off to college, Emily decided to move out of the 2,772-square-foot residence and put it up for sale.

The remaining household items of Barber and Charlotte are also being auctioned off at Bontrager's (a number of items are up for auction tonight (see pictures below)).

The listing went to Paul and Mary Ellen Hartwick, of Nothnagle, who lived for many years across Main Street in Alexander and were friends with Barber and Charlotte.

The Hartwick's took me on a tour of the house today and clearly cherished their memories of the Conables.

The house has four bedrooms and was built in 1830 by an Alexander attorney, A.B. Harrington. Harrington also built, for his son, the house across the street where the Hartwicks now live.

"If we could make our living selling historic homes, that's all we would do," Paul said.

The house, at 10532 N. Main St., sits on a five-acre, park-like lot that zigzags from Main Road to Route 20.

The house is listed for $199,900.

Chair given to Barber Conable by the Brookings Institute.

Barber Conable's collection of license plates

Barber Conable's Cornell University yearbook (Conable is in the first column, lower right).

A book by Henry Kissenger, former secretary of state, signed to Barber Conable by Kissenger.

Robert L. Williams, 21, of 112 State St., Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, and disorderly conduct. Williams was arrested on a warrant. He is accused of punching another person onOct. 22, which resulted in the alleged victim suffering a fractured nose. Williams was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Tanyka N. Blanding, 33, of 7 Madera Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI and criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Blanding was arrested by Le Roy Police in the early morning on Sunday. Blanding was stopped after the car she was driving allegedly almost collided with a police car on Lake Street. At the time of her stop, she was allegedly found in possession of brass knuckles. Blanding was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Dustin J. Good, 24, of 2937 Merle Road, Attica, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Good was stopped at 11:12 p.m., Friday, on North Lyon Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Fleming.

Kenneth M. Gray Jr., 24, of 77 Myrtle St., is charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to keep right, operating in violation of restriction and inadequate tires. Gray is accused of hitting a street sign and a parked car on Hutchins Street near Ellicott Street. Gray was stopped some time later on South Main Street by Officer Darryle Streeter. Gray was arrested without incident. The investigation was handled by Officer Jason Ivison.

Jeffrey Matthew Kaczmarek, 42, of Alleghany Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, driving left of pavement markings in no-passing zone and violation of conditional license. Kaczmarek was stopped at 11:23 p.m., Saturday, on Attica Road by Deputy Jason Saile.

Steven Michael John Kaczmarek, 25, of Gilhooly Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Kaczmarek was arrested at 4:03 a.m., Friday, after deputies were called to an address on Gilhooly Road to investigate the report of a domestic incident. 

William Thomas Foley, 19, of Main Road, Stafford, and Kristian Nicole Elderbroom, 19, of Marlton Circle, Liverpool, are both charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st. Foley and Elderbroom are accused of hosting an underage drinking party Nov. 13 at a location on Main Road in Stafford.

Ryan D. Wilson, 19, of Alexander Road, Attica, and Jay W. Schafer, 19, of Broadway Road, Darien, are charged with harassment, 2nd. Wilson and Schafer are accused of punching another person while at College Village at 2:42 a.m., Sunday.

Jesse Lee Harner, 25, of Country Route 41, Friendship, is charged with violation of a child-support order. Harner was turned over to the Sheriff's Office after being arrested by Cuba Police officers on a warrant out of family court.

Jered Michael Brown, 23, of North Baxter Street, Sutton, W. Va., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Brown was stopped at 1:57 a.m., Friday, on Route 5 in Pembroke by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Mercedes Anne Marchese, 20, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, is charged with false written statement. Marchese is accused of making a false written statement to the Sheriff's Office on Nov. 6.

Dajuandrick A. Gardner, 16, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child. Gardner is accused of choking a 15-year-old boy in the Town of Bergen at 7:40 a.m., Oct. 3.

On Friday and Saturday, the Alexander PTA presented its 25th annual production featurning fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders in the Music Theatre International production of "Seussical Jr. -- The Musical."

Under the direction of Kathy Weil (Music Director Suzanne Perry, Choreographer Bethany Anderson) the children welcomed theater-goers to a colorful, fast-paced adventure.

We met Horton the Elephant and the cohabitants of this Seussical fantasy!

The night required only one thing...

Your imagination! ... or in Seuss's words: "the thinks you can think"!

Other pictures from the event can be found here.

The Sheriff's Office believes Wyatt Becker is in the Batavia area and knows law enforcement is looking for him but haven't yet pinpointed his location, according to warrant officer Eric Olson.

Olson is asking that anybody who has information on Becker's whereabouts to call (585) 343-0911.

Becker is wanted for alleged vehicular assault, DWI and felony violation of probation.

On Monday, Becker failed to appear for his arraignment in Genesee County Court on those charges. Previously, when Becker was in Alexander Town Court, after learning that he was going to jailed on $5,000 bail, Becker reportedly asked to use the restroom and never came back.

The assault and DWI charges stem from an Aug. 3 accident in which a person was seriously injured.

Wyatt J. Becker, 21, of Sumner Road, in Darian, is a wanted man.

Judge Robert C. Noonan issued a warrant for his arrest Monday morning after Becker failed to appear for an arraignment on DWI and a felony charge of vehicular assault, 2nd.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell hasn't seen Becker since an appearance in Alexander Town Court where Becker, during his arraignment there, asked to use the restroom and never came back.

Becker was reportedly involved in an accident Aug. 3 in which his passenger was seriously injured.

An accident, believed to be with three people suffering minor injuries, has been reported on Route 98 near Stroh Road in Alexander.

Alexander Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

A barn fire is reported at 9262 Dorman Road in the Town of Batavia. It was possibly ignited when a motorhome caught fire. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with a tanker from Alexander.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: The chief reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: All units back in service.

Dispatchers were able to use mobile phone GPS to help locate a hunter in Alexander who fell from a tree stand and suffered injuries.

The hunter, John P. Starkweather, 44, of Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, called 9-1-1 after his fall, but was unable to give a precise description of his location.

Starkweather was hunting on property at 4314 Gilhooly Road, Alexander. He was located south of the house there, south of a creek on the property.

The Sheriff's Office did not release the nature of his injuries, but Starkweather was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC, where he is listed in serious condition.

Starkweather was apparently descending from a tree stand when a branch he had put his foot on gave way, causing him to fall about 20 feet to the ground.

The tree stand was about 30 to 35 feet off the ground.

Alexander Fire and Mercy EMS responded to the scene along with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

The incident is being investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves and Rick Rauscher of the NYS DEC.

Bethany Fire Department assisted at the scene.

(Initial Report)

A hunter has reportedly fallen from a tree stand and needs medical attention in a wooded area behind the residence at 4314 Gilhooly Road, Alexander.

The hunter appears to be on a mobile phone and directing dispatchers as to his location, which is south of the residence and south of a creek at that location.

Alexander Fire Department and ambulance along with Mercy EMS are responding.

Mercy Flight is on standby.

UPDATE 6:48 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene. Alexander's Gator requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:49 p.m.: Patient fell about 20 feet. Mercy Flight has a 12-minute ETA.  Bethany Fire Department requested mutual aid.

UPDATE 7:20 p.m. (Billie): Mercy Flight landed about 15 minutes ago and loaded the patient, a man who medics say had deformity to both collarbones as a result of his fall.

UPDATE 7:27 p.m. (Billie): Mercy Flight is headed to ECMC and Bethany fire is back in service.

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Aaron J. Wood, 20, of Iroquois Road, Caledonia, is charged with petit larceny. Wood is accused of unwrapping and eating a $3 pizza while in the Tops Market in Le Roy. Wood allegedly tried to leave the store without paying for the pizza.

Joseph Dennis Vendetta, 30, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, tinted windows and driver's view obstructed. Vendetta was stopped at 2:21 a.m., Saturday, on Richmond Avenue by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Billy Joe Budziszewski, 20, of Alleghany Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Budziszewski is accused of getting into a dispute with his father Friday morning. During the dispute, Budziszewski allegedly became verbally abusive and punched the kitchen wall and front door, causing some damage during the argument. Budziszewski also allegedly had a pair of metal knuckles in his bedroom dresser.

Luis Geraldo Pacheco, 49, of Webster Avenue, Rochester, is charged with three counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Pacheco is accused of violating a stay away order on three separate occasions.

Melvin Gaylord Draper, 30, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI (BAC of .18 or greater), aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and improper signal. Draper was stopped at 12:47 a.m., Saturday, on Bank Street Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Gene Robert Schmidt, 44, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to keep right. Schmidt was stopped at 1:33 a.m., Saturday, on Bowen Road, Alexander, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Trent H. Burgess, 39, of West Avenue Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and speeding (89 mph in a 55 mph zone). Burgess was stopped at 12:26 a.m., Sunday, on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Brian James Nelson, 24, of Grove Street, Painted Post, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and driving left of pavement markings in a no-passing zone. Nelson was arrested following the investigation by Deputy Jason Saile into a one-car accident at 6:04 a.m., Sunday, on Route 77 in Darien. 

Daniel L. Cone, 51, of 6380 Clinton St. Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speed not reasonable and prudent, following too closely and moving unsafely from lane. Cone was stopped at 5:55 p.m., Saturday, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Dan Coffey.

Lawrence D. Williams, 51, of 148 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Williams was allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of cocaine following a traffic stop.

Scott G. Tooley, 26, of 199 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Tooley is accused of leaving a young child at home without adequate supervision.

We enjoyed a beautiful fall morning today, so I thought I would take a little drive and wound up in Darien.

Above, I found this diving board over a pond next to a farm field to be a rather interesting sight.

The view from atop Simmonds Road.

A red barn in North Darien.

A small pond along Beaver Road, Alexander.