batavia

Three people are being accused of selling cocaine in Genesee and Orleans counties following a lengthy joint investigation by law enforcement in both jurisdictions.

A search warrant was executed yesterday at a location on Hundredmark Road, Elba, and investigators said they found cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The suspects are suspected of selling cocaine at the residence.

Arrested where:

• Edgardo Aponte, 41, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal nuisance, 1st, and tampering with physical evidence.
• Sonia E. Aponte, 32, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possesion of a controlled substance, 4th, criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and criminal nuisance, 1st.
• Jeremy S. Yantz, 32, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Edgardo Aponte was arraigned in Elba Town Court and jailed on $50,000 bail. Sonia Aponte was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Yantz was arraigned in Town of Albion Court and jailed in Orleans County on $25,000 bail.

The five-month investigation was a joint operation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force.

The Batavia PD Emergency Response Team assisted in the execution of the search warrant along with uniformed deputies, officers with Homeland Security and Rochester PD's K-9 unit.

The District Attorney's Office also assisted in the investigation.

From being a middle school teacher, to being a County Coroner for Genesee County, to being a Sheriff’s deputy, Vern Falcone, a native of Le Roy, has had a long and diverse career.

“While I was training to become a Sheriff’s deputy, I met a fellow deputy who was also a funeral director. That got me interested in it, so I went to school, got my license and worked part-time in a funeral home in Le Roy, while also working as a full-time Sheriff’s deputy," Falcone said. “I like working with people and I’m good at dealing with people, as well as helping families in difficult situations.”

When Vern retired in 2007, after 22 years with the Sheriff's Office, he became a full-time funeral director in Le Roy. In April of this year, Falcone opened Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., at 8700 Lake Road, Le Roy.

Falcone is a tall, soft-spoken man with a calm demeanor, quite suitable for a career in the funeral business.

He had the brand-new facility built to resemble a home. He and his wife, Debra, did the painting, decorating and landscaping.

“If we knew anything about construction, we would have built it ourselves”, Falcone said with a laugh. “We wanted a new and up-to-date building, with a relaxing family atmosphere."

There is a fireplace to greet you when you enter, along with a cozy living room.

“I tried to create a relaxing atmosphere, like being in your own home," Falcone said.

There are soft colors and low lights, with music playing in background.

“I wanted to get away from the traditional funeral home look and make the facility feel more comfortable,” Falcone said. “I want people to walk in and feel at home in a difficult situation. I want their experience here to be as easy and comfortable as possible."

“We built a children’s room for children to play in while adults are focusing on grieving. They don’t need to worry about children being underfoot," Falcone said.

There are large screens to display video memorials in the grieving room. The room seats 125 people comfortably, with room for overflow. The room can also be divided in half to accommodate more intimate gatherings.

“I am very accommodating to people and I am happy to meet them at different hours, or even go to their home for a meeting," he said. "This is a service-oriented business and I am here to provide service to our guests. I don’t like answering services, so I always answer the phone myself and it will either be myself, or Debra, who greets visitors at the door."

The couple’s two daughters also help with the business and his oldest daughter is currently going to school to become a funeral director herself.

“I anticipate that this will be a self-supporting family business and we appreciate the support we’ve gotten from the community," Falcone said.

If you have questions or would like a personal tour of the facility, call Vern Falcone at 585-768-2400.

Press release:

The City Water Department has been notified by the Genesee Valley Railroad that it will be conducting a test of its fire suppression system for the transfer station located on Mill Street on Thursday June 27th at approximately 10 a.m. Residents should be aware that this test may cause a temporary discoloration of the water in the general vicinity of Evans and Walnut streets. Residents should avoid doing laundry until the water clarity has returned to normal.

Work crews are scheduled to pave South Swan Street and Vernon Avenue between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday.

Residents are asked not to park on the road.

Residents will have limited access to their properties during paving operations.

Paving will begin on South Swan and then move to Vernon.

All other traffic is asked to avoid these streets Thursday.

The state's red "SEIZED" signs are out of the windows at Molasses Hill Bulk Foods on Ellicott Street in Batavia and a new sign is taped to the front door: "Closed til 9:00 AM Wed 6/26."

Previously: Molasses Hill closed, seized by state

Chelsea Darnley Emondt-Fauel is missing.

The young teenager from Batavia has gone missing before and is believed to be a runaway, but authorities are concerned about her safety and ask that anybody with information contact local law enforcement.

Chelsea was last seen on Dewey Avenue, Batavia, yesterday. She could still be in the area. She could have travelled to the Riverside area of Buffalo or to Niagara Falls.

The 13-year-old has brown hair and eyes, is 5'6" and 145 lbs.

If you have information that could assist Batavia PD in locating Chelsea, please call (585) 345-6350.

An accident with injuries is reported in front of the Arby's restaurant on West Main Street in the City of Batavia. City firefighters and Mercy medics are on location.

UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: The city fire assignment is back in service and Mercy medics will handle the sign-offs for the three people involved.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: The Mercy unit is back in service.

Four people are being questioned by police in connection with an incident at 12 Highland Park this afternoon that was initially reported by a third party to police as a hostage situation.

Sgt. Dan Coffey responded to the call first and an area resident reportedly told him that one or more people in the residence might have a gun.

Coffey called for backup and officers arrived within minutes from Batavia PD, the State Police and the Sheriff's Office. The Emergency Response Team was also activated and State Police responded with a K-9 and a robot.

Nearby residents were asked to either shelter in place or wait near the Ascension Parish / St. Anthony's parking lot off Central Avenue.

Highland was closed between Pringle Avenue and Jackson Street.

"Obviously the information that was given to Sgt. Coffey when he arrived (was) the situation was serious in nature," Chief Shawn Heubusch said. "We take as much caution as possible when we respond to a situation. There was information given to him that there was a hostage situation or weapons involved so we're going to get everybody here we can to get this locked down as safely as possible."

No arrests have been made yet and Heubusch said investigators are trying to sort out who did what and who, if anybody, was a hostage.

The situation ended peacefully shortly after most of the law enforcement response was in place.

A man in a black tank top came out onto the porch smoking a cigarette and walked down the stairs and looked around. A woman was behind him dressed in a pink tank top.

He went back into the house only to reemerge minutes later. Apparently under instructions from law enforcement, he put his hands in the air and then laid down flat on the ground. The woman then came and laid down next to him.

The man was then instructed to stand with his hands in the air, and back up to a position down the street where a Batavia detective was waiting to take him into custody.

The woman was then placed in cuffs in a similar fashion.

Minutes later, two more people came out of the residence, a woman first and then a man. Law enforcement then closed in and the man was immediately cuffed. The woman laid down on the ground, but did not appear to be cuffed.

The individuals reportedly told police that there was nobody else in the house, but as a precaution the police robot was sent inside, then the ERT team entered to ensure everyone was out.

Heubusch said depositions were being taken from all four people so investigators could try and determine exactly what happened.

He said more information would be released this evening or in the morning.

Batavia Police, detectives, Sheriff's deputies, medics and firefighters responded to a hostage situation on Highland Park about a half hour ago. Four people are now in custody. No one else is believed to be inside the lower apartment where the incident took place.

The first report indicated a person reportedly entered an apartment with a baseball bat and subesquently police shut down traffic at Pringle Avenue and Highland Park, and at Jackson Street and Highland, as well as Central Avenue.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The perimeter is being opened. However, pedestrians and bystanders are still being kept at bay for the time being. Mercy medics are back in service.

Photo courtesy of WBTA

More T/K

Molasses Hill Bulk Foods on Ellicott Street, Batavia, is closed after the store was seized by an agent of NYS Taxation and Finance this morning.

Neal Harder, husband of owner Shannon Harder, said he and his wife are trying to negotiate with Taxation and Finance to be able to reopen today with an agreement to pay taxes owed by July 15.

He said he felt the sudden closure was the result of a disagreement between his wife and the agent.

Alicia M. Stankwick, 21, of 2880 Transit Road, West Seneca, is charged with disobeying mandate. Stankwick was arrested following a complaint of a woman refusing to leave an apartment on State Street, Batavia.

Glenn H. Wright Jr., 43, of 118 Prospect St., Warsaw, is charged with unlawful imprisonment and assault, 3rd. Wright was arrested by Warsaw PD on an arrest warrant out of City Court.

Douglas Scott Sprague, 46, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with a felony count of criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Sprague was arrested on a warrant issued by Town of Batavia Court.

Timothy Huurman, 23, of Genesee Park Boulevard, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding (69 in a 55 mph zone), and refusal to submit to breath test. Huurman was stopped at 11:49 p.m. Sunday on Route 20, Alexander, by Sgt. Ron Meides.

David Michael Snyder, 27, of East Main Street Road, Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. Snyder is accused of shoplifting at Walmart. Also arrested was Destany Ann Marie McNutt, 24, of East Main Street Road, Stafford.

Michael J. Anderson, 24, of Keady Road, Lodi, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Anderson is accused of threatening to shoot another person during a phone conversation, which allegedly violated a court order.

Timothy W. Churchill, 45, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI and DWI with a child in the car, and Joanne M. Riggi, 43, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. A vehicle allegedly driven by Churchill was stopped by State Police at 5:18 p.m. Friday on South Street Road, Le Roy. No further details released.

Thomas M. Szarleta, 49, of Springville, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI and improper passing on the right. Szarleta was stopped at 6:04 p.m. Sunday on Sumner Road at Route 77, by a state trooper.

Conor W. Wellott, 25, of North Tonawanda, is charged with DWI. Wellott was stopped at 12:10 a.m. Monday at Route 77 and Route 20 by a state trooper.

Steve Carr, a popular local businessman who managed the C.L. Carr store in its final years, passed away Friday after suffering a heart attack while swimming at Stafford Country Club.

Carr was 66.

Funeral arrangements are pending, but will be handled by H.E. Turner.

His death comes as a shock to many people who remember him as a warm and fun person.

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian remembers that Carr helped her get reestablished in Batavia after she returned to her native city 40 years ago.

"He was a generous person," Christian said.

Peter Mumford, Carr's cousin, said they were both born in 1947 and grew up together and remained close.

"He was always trying to help people out," Mumford said. "I always considered him a bon vivant. He liked to travel. He liked people a lot. He liked music, especially blues."

Carr was the grandson of C.L. Carr who opened a retail store in Batavia in 1917. That store would become one of the mainstays in the city until about 2001, but changes in the local market made it difficult for the family to keep the large department store open.

Carr was the majority shareholder, but members of the Carr, Minor and Mumford families also held shares, Mumford said.

A member of Rotary, Carr remained active in the community after the store closed.

The winner of our recently completed Facebook Like contest sponsored by Council Opticians of Batavia is Cara Grosshans.

Cara wins a Coach handbag.

If you would like to get more fans for your business page on Facebook, contact Lisa Ace at (585) 250-4118 to find out more.

Jeremy K. Hogeboom, 38, of South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, speed not reasonable nor prudent, failure to keep right and unlawful possession of marijuana. Hogeboom was stopped at 12:06 a.m. Friday on Phelps Road, Pembroke, by Deputy James Diehl.

Tyler J. Aina, 21, of 13929 Waterport Circle Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, driving left of pavement marketings and failure to stop at stop sign. Aina was stopped by Officer Darryle Streeter at 1:09 a.m. June 15 on Oak Street.

Derrick R. Kio, 22, of 5471 Hudson Road, Pavilion, is charged with disobeying mandate. Kio is accused of violating an order of protection by calling the protected person.

Keith B. Besaw, 42, of 61 1/2 North Lyon St., Batavia, is charged with operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. Besaw was taken into custody by Batavia PD on an arrest warrant issued in City Court.

Brad C. Doward, 23, of 10 Hall St., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Doward was allegedly involved in a domestic incident.

A 17-year-old resident of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of shoplifting $39.72 in merchandise from Walmart.

Debra M. Davis, 53, and Samantha B. Steiner, 22, both of 620 Yacht Club Drive, Machias, are charged with petit larceny. Davis and Steiner were arrested by State Police in connection with an alleged incident reported in the Town of Alabama in October. No further details released.

There's quite a sight on Lewiston Road, Batavia -- MY T Acres has planted acres and acres and acres of potatoes, which are now in flower.

Batavia's legendary landmark diner the Pok-A-Dot turned 60 today with a few hundred people turning out for the celebration.

Above, owners Joe Marone and Phil Pastore are congratulated by one of the regular customers, James Pero, on the anniversary.

Stan's Harley Davidson hosted a car and bike show today at its location on West Saile Drive. More than 100 classic cars and show-quality motorcycles were on display throughout the afternoon.

Above, Stafford resident Don McDonald with his 1932 Ford, "Lucky Lady." McDonald bought the car in 1957 for $250, which was not only a lot of money in 1957, but it was a lot of money for a 1932 Ford, which in some cases could be picked up for $50 in those days, McDonald said. Some of his friends teased him then about overpaying for the car, but it's worth substantially more now.

Darrell Mase, of Batavia with his '57 Ford. The continental kit on the back is painted with a tribute to a late friend.

Paul Horton, of Lockport, with a '31 Ford Roadster Pickup that he restored and rebuilt with the help of some friends.

John Peck was serving up hotdogs and hamburgers.

There is a fire alarm -- and smoke has been spotted coming from a custodian's closet -- in the Ontario Cottage of the New York State Vet's Home.

City Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:41 p.m.: A firefighter has gained entry to the closet and reports, "no fire."

A porch fire is reported at 14 Woodstock Gardens.

City Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:04 p.m.: Engine 11 on scene. Nothing showing.

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: Fire located and fire is out.

UPDATE 8:11 p.m.: City fire back in service.

Press release:

Summer will be a happening place at YWCA, with the start of this year's Market at North Street and the unveiling of its exciting new Summer Adventure Program for children!

The Market at North Street is ready to go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, June 23, with 15 vendors selling everything from maple syrup and tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn and strawberries to flowers, cheese, organic beef, farm fresh eggs, alpaca goods, wines, a variety of meats, artisan-crafted gifts, sweet baked goods, dried herbs, cheese and breads.

Each week will feature seasonal produce and something tempting to buy and eat right on the spot! Clor's will have grilled sausage and peppers, hotdogs and stuffed flatbread and will have assorted meats for purchase.

You may also want to relax for awhile and take in the sights and sounds of belly dancers, musicians and other live entertainment.

Market hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through Sept. 29. SNAP and EBT accepted.

"Stop by to visit and get a head start on your weekly grocery needs. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet our local farmers and talk with them face to face about the products they grow and sell. That's something you can't do when you buy it off a shelf," says Market Manager Myra Schroeder.

"Agriculture is a big part of life in Western New York, and we are fortunate enough to have so many people willing to share their passion for healthy, fresh, organic foods with the rest of us."

The YWCA is also a pick-up site for Porter Farms' Community Supported Agriculture program. Participants get a bag full of organic produce each week for 22 weeks. The Porter family has graciously offered that for every 15 people the YW gets through its facility, Porter Farms will donate one free bag for a family in need.

What:  Scholarships & Strawberries at YWCA
When:  Starting June 23
Where: 301 North St., Batavia
Call:  (585) 343-5808

Also, for those who haven't heard about the YW's updated Summer Adventure Program, it offers kids opportunities for outdoor enrichment activities in the YW's six-acre back yard and field trips to Genesee County parks, planetariums and other fun places.

They'll also get to hone their culinary skills in the facility's commercial-grade kitchen and explore their green thumbs in the children's garden.

All of it is to teach teamwork, create motivation for learning and, most importantly, give kids a chance to have fun while exploring new things with their peers! But not everyone gets to join in on the fun, Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

"Sadly, there are many families in our program who will not be able to afford the field trips, and their children will be left out as a result," Walton said. "We are seeking the support of the community to establish a scholarship fund, so that we can help more kids to be part of the full program."

A donation of $250 will allow one child to take advantage of 10 field trips offered during the Summer Program.

Your tax-deductible donation of any amount will go toward the Summer Program Scholarship Fund to ensure that every child may participate. Children may be signed up for a half-day up to five full days each week, depending on family needs.

For more information about these programs, call (585) 343-5808.