Bergen

An oven fire is reported at 42 Rochester St., Apt. #15, Bergen.

Bergen fire and Le Roy's ladder truck are dispatched.

UPDATE 9:23 a.m.: Churchville was also dispatched, was canceled, but a minute later, they were already on scene, so the Bergen chief canceled his department's ladder truck. Le Roy can proceed non-emergency.

UPDATE 9:32 a.m.: Burnt food, ventilation in progress.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at North Bergen Road and West Sweden Road. It is blocking traffic. Bergen fire and medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: Responders are told to come in non-emergency mode.

Submitted photo. Front row: Teacher Peter Spence, Maya Benda, teacher Tiffany Lucksh, Melanie MacCowan, Mackenzie Fox, Kitana Maher, Clare Fraser, Kerri Bates. Middle row: Morgan Fuller, Will Kennett, Dominick Andres, Zach Swapceinski, Olivia Audsley, Dana VanValkenburg, Isabell Bliss. Back row: Russell Flaherty, parent Michelle Geiger.

Press release:

After a year of planning, 14 students from Byron-Bergen Sr. High School traveled to Costa Rica to explore the country’s incredibly diverse habitats of rainforests, volcanoes, waterfalls and pristine ocean coastline.

Accompanied by Byron-Bergen teachers Peter Spence, who teaches Earth Science, Biology, and Chemistry, and Tiffany Luksch, who teaches Math, the young explorers arrived at the capital of San José on March 18 for an exciting seven-day expedition.

The group spent two days in Sarapiquí, a small village in the Caribbean lowlands located in the heart of the rainforest, surrounded by surreal sounds of howler monkeys, tree frogs, birds, and insects. They visited the largest active crater in the world at the Poás volcano, and experienced the cloud forest environment. A cloud forest receives little rain during the year; plants receive their moisture from the clouds that constantly shroud the volcano.

The stay in Sarapiquí also included white-water rafting (where students found tiny poison dart frogs with bright orange bodies and deep blue hind legs), and zip lining in the rainforest.

The trip continued to La Fortuna, where they visited the Mount Arenal Volcano, studied the ecological succession of plants and orchids on the once-barren lava slope, and kayaked on the man-made Lake Arenal. Students hiked to the La Fortuna waterfall and explored the Baldi hot springs.

Moving on to Guanacaste, the group saw the second-largest dry forest in the world and visited Rincòn de la Vieja Volcano. They learned how Costa Rica uses the steam generated by the thermal vents to create electricity. A riverboat ride at Palo Verde National Park offered views of crocodiles, iguanas, red macaws, and white-faced capuchin monkeys. Snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean ended the extraordinary trip.

For many of the students, this amazing educational experience was the first time they had flown or been outside the United States. It was a great opportunity to not only learn about geology, ecosystems, and biology, but also gain practical fluency in Spanish.

“All of our kids have taken Spanish and a couple of them used Spanish a lot,” Spence said. “I did rely on them to communicate when I could not.”

Upon their return, student Clare Fraser summed up the feelings of her traveling companions.

“This has been an amazing experience that I will always remember. The trip was better than I had ever expected, and it has encouraged me to travel more in the future.”

Press release:

The Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of officers from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET officers, and the Le Roy Village Police Department, concluded an investigation into the sale of marijuana in the towns of Bergen and Byron.

Cody D. Mayer, 23, of Lake Avenue, Bergen, was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal sale of marijuana, 3rd, a Class E felony, and one count of criminal sale of marijuana, 4th, a Class A misdemeanor.

On March 30, Mayer was arrested by a uniformed deputy of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at the County Jail, while he was incarcerated for a separate charge, on a Genesee County Grand Jury indictment warrant. It is alleged that Mayer sold a quantity of marijuana to an agent of the Drug Task Force while in the towns of Bergen and Byron.

Mayer was jailed without bail.

The District Attorney's Office and uniform members of the Sheriff's Office assisted the Task Force members with the investigation.

Press release from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

At 1:06 p.m. on Sunday March 27 the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call concerning a motor vehicle collision that occurred at 4746 Barrville Road in the Town of Elba.

A northbound vehicle went off the east shoulder of Barrville Road and struck a parked vehicle at that address. The operator of the vehicle then fled the scene.

The suspect was tracked for several hours and later arrested at an address on North Bergen Road in the Town of Byron.

The suspect, Arnoldo Gregorio Lopez, 23, of North Bergen Road, faces Vehicle and Traffic charges of unlicensed operator, uninspected motor vehicle, unregistered vehicle, uninsured vehicle, improper plates, moving from lane unsafely, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

He was arraigned in the Town of Oakfield Court by Justice Baker and remanded to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office was assisted by members of the State Police, Medina Police Department's K-9 and a State Police K-9.

(For initial report, click here: http://www.thebatavian.com/node/129152/edit)

Tre'Shaun Diamond Perry, 20, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. The subject was arrested today after an incident at 10:10 p.m. on March 24 at College Village. It is alleged Perry pushed a safety officer while in a building at College Village. Perry was released on an appearance ticket to appear in Town of Batavia Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Brandon Thomas Beard, 21, of Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving while ability impaired by drugs and driver's view obstructed. On March 26, at 8:41 p.m., the defendant was stopped following the observation of a vehicle and traffic violation on Clinton Street Road, Town of Bergen. He was arrested after allegedly possessing marijuana and driving while his ability to do so was allegedly impaired by drugs. He was released on appearance tickets and is to return to Town of Bergen Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Christopher Brian King, 24, of Pearl Street Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested March 23 on an outstanding bench warrant issued by Town of Batavia Court on March 8. He was jailed in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Robin Lynn Holman, 53, of Buffalo Road, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested on March 11 after allegedly stealing property on Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen. She was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Town of Bergen Court on April 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion.

Glendon Stephen Alexander, 19, of East 95th Street, Brooklyn, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 8:23 p.m. on March 23 following an investigation of a complaint at College Village that the defendant allegedly unlawfully possessed marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket for April 21 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.CorfCorfu

A kitchen fire is reported at 14 Gate St., Bergen.

Le Roy fire and Bergen fire are dispatched.

CORRECTION: The story originally had the address, incorrectly, in Le Roy. Howard heard the call and I put up what he told me. Sorry for the confusion.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Western New York Tech Academy in Bergen today. Hochul met with school Principal Thomas Schulte. On her last visit to the area, the two talked about the exciting new school and Hochul made a point to come back and visit to see it firsthand.

Hochul is so interested because it is a new concept in medium and high level education. P-Tech schools like Western NY Tech Academy have only been open for two years. Instead of a four-year curriculum like a normal high school, P-Tech schools have a six-year curriculum. At the end of the six years, the students graduate with a high school diploma and a fully accredited two-year college associates degree in a science discipline -- at no cost to the student or family!

Schulte walked Hochul through the school explaining how the classes are designed around teaching Math, Science and English as applied to solving real-world problems. Hochul commented how great that was because she, like many others, thought in high school “When am I ever going to use this stuff they are teaching me?” Well, in this school they use the information right away.

The classrooms resemble corporate meeting rooms. Classes are held differently, too. As well as the fundamentals students are taught to interact with each other in productive ways and communicate ideas and solutions effectively.

The concept of the school is so attractive to some that they bus in over an hour and a half away from Dansville. Supporters say Genesee County is lucky that the school is located in the Bergen School system complex. Because it's so new, it's not currently running with full classrooms.

If you are interested in sending your student to the school or for more information, please go to www.wnytechacademy

Registration is currently under way for Youth Recreation programs with the Gillam Grant Community Center in Bergen.

The Spring and Summer programs open for registration include youth softball, baseball and soccer. These program are open to any youth regardless of school district or town.

To register or to learn more please visit www.gillamgrant.org/register.aspx. For additional assistance contact their offices at (585) 494-1621.

Steven Paul Diveronica, 47, of Richmond Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated DWI and DWI. On Friday at 10:44 p.m. Diveronica was arrested following an investigation into a vehicle pulled over on the side of Richmond Avenue. It is alleged that Diveronica was the driver and that he appeared intoxicated on alcohol. After submitting to standard field sobriety tests, he was arrested. A chemical test subsequently resulted, allegedly, in a BAC of .21 percent. He was released with appearance tickets to return later in City of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Honour Haley Myers, 27, of York Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Myers was arrested on Clinton Street Road in Bergen at 8:26 p.m. on Friday following a domestic incident. She allegedly possessed marijuana in the trunk of her car. She was issued an appearance ticket to be in Town of Bergen Court on April 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute, assisted by Deputy Chad Cummings.

William E. Berge, 21, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Berge was allegedly found in possession of a flare gun that was modified to fire a 12-gauge shotgun round.

Joseph M. Marceilli Jr., 30, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and obstructed view. Marceilli was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 4:52 p.m. Saturday on Liberty Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Tyler J. Henderson, 27, of Franklin Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Henderson was arrested on a City Court warrant and released on his own recognizance.

Woodrow C. Horseman, 39, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on criminal trespass and endangering the welfare of a child. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Jeffrey Robert Ammon, 48, of South Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with trespass. Ammon is accused of being on the premises of a location on Maple Avenue, Bergen, at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday after being told to leave. Also charged with trespass was Krista Renee Lewis, 46, of Church Street, Bergen.

Amanda Ann Allard, 35, of Cadwell Road, Bliss, is charged with possession or transport or offer for sale of unstamped cigarettes and speeding. Allard was stopped at 12:29 p.m. Tuesday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Tremain Valdez Gillbert, 26, of Wing Street, Bliss, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wing was arrested following a traffic stop at 12:29 p.m. Tuesday on Route 77, Pembroke.

Following an investigation into the sale of heroin in the Town of Bergen, 27-year-old Ryan M. Bobzin, of West Bergen Road, was arrested, according to a press release today from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation was conducted by the county's Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of law enforcement personnel from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET and Le Roy Village PD.

Bobzin is charged with: criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, also a Class B felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, a Class A misdemeanor.

On Feb. 24, Bobzin was arrested by a uniformed deputy at the Genesee County Jail where he was incarcerated for a separate charge. It is alleged that he sold a quantity of a controlled substance, heroin, to an agent of the drug task force in the Town of Bergen. Bobzin was arraigned in Town of Bergen Court and jailed on $25,000 bail.

The District Attorney's Office and uniformed members of the Sheriff's Office assisted the task force with the investigation.

Jaime Vega Tinuco, 26, of Walkers Corners Road, Byron, is charged with stalking, 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Tinuco allegedly showed up at the residence of a 16-year-old female after being told numerous times to cease contact. Bail was set at 2,500.

Woodrow Horseman, 39, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass and endangering the welfare of a child. Horseman allegedly refused to leave the residence of another person. Horseman was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Kyle B. Smith, 27, of Knox Road, East Aurora, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and failure to signal. Smith was stopped at 12:36 a.m. Saturday on Richmond Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

A 17-year-old resident of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd. The youth is accused of menacing a 14-year-old with a realistic looking BB gun.

Amber L. Ostrander, 25, of West Main Street, Fillmore, was arrested on a warrant. Ostrander was arrested by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office and turned over to Batavia PD. She posted $500 bail and was released.

Martin F. Jones, 44, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Jones allegedly stole two cans of beer valued at $2.67 from Southside Deli. Jones was jailed on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond.

Nicole Georgantopoulous Belluccio, 35, of Juliane Drive, Rochester, is charged with possession and transport of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and obstructed plates. Belluccio was stopped at 12:47 p.m. Wednesday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Belluccio was allegedly found in possession of 6,400 untaxed cigarettes.

Jimmy Ray Wenzel, 29, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Wenzel was allegedly in contact with a person in violation of an order of protection. Wenzel has a prior criminal contempt conviction within the past five years.

Amy Lynette Cliff, 44, of West Main Street, Byron, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, refusal to take prescreen test and speeding. Cliff was stopped at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday on Parkview Drive, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

By this time tomorrow, the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department will have a brand-new ambulance in service.

It's a big moment for the department. 

The 2016 Ford Rescue replaces the ambulance involved in the crash Sept. 23 that took the life of Barry Miller.

"It’s a wonderful moment for us," said Julie Donofrio, of the Bergen Rescue Squad. "We all do this to give back to the community. We, of course, wish Barry was here, but this was a push from the whole department and something Barry would be proud of. It's also something the whole community can be proud of."

Donofrio said the whole community has been so supportive of the department and that enhances the meaning of the moment.

"It means the world to us to have this ambulance on the road representing Bergen," she said. "For the department, for the community, to help provide (for) all the people of the community that we provide service to, it's a wonderful feeling."

The new rig is fully outfitted with the latest rescue technology, including touch screen systems to monitor patients and also has state-of-the-art safety equipment, from the brush grill and light bars to the interior accommodations for responders and patients.

The department has been using a loaner the past several months and Donofrio said the plan is for volunteers to arrive at the department and transfer equipment from that ambulance to this new one in the morning and then put the new rig in service.

A caller on Town Line Road, Bergen, reports that a white male came to his door offering to sell a picture of his house from the air for $349.

The subject is now apparently across the street from the house attempting to do the same.

There is a second person in a red Dodge Stratus.

A deputy is dispatched to check it out.

Another motor-vehicle accident is reported on Route 490. This one is in the westbound lane, also at mile marker 1. A vehicle went off the road and struck a tree. Unknown injuries. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments and Le Roy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:33 a.m.: Responders report finding no such vehicle anywhere in the area. The assignment is back in service.

Philip Michael Molina Sr., 30, of Slade Road, Medina, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and aggravated unlicensed operation of motor vehicle, 2nd. Molina was arrested following an investigation into a shoplifting complaint at Walmart involving a female companion. Molina was allegedly found in possession of metal knuckles and driving on a suspended driver's license. He was jailed on $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond.

Thomas C. Williamee, 45, of Clay St, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Williamee is accused of shoplifting from Tops Market in Le Roy. He allegedly stole $8.11 in merchandise.

William A. Andrews III, 36, no permanent address, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged aggravated criminal contempt. Andrews allegedly violated a complete stay away order of protection. He is accused of punching the protected party in the face at 1:55 a.m. Aug. 23 while on West Main Street, Batavia.  Andrews charged with another count of aggravated criminal contempt for allegedly being with the protected party at the time of his arrest at 11:23 a.m. Friday. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Justin T. Pahl, 31, of Perry Road, Le Roy, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Pahl allegedly punched out a window during an incident reported at 8:30 a.m. Friday at a location on Thomas Avenue, Batavia, causing shards of glass to scatter in a room where there were two children, ages 2 and 6.

Amanda R. McDonald, 34, of Pearl Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay restitution stemming from a December 2013 incident. McDonald was arraigned and released on her own recognizance with the balance due on her restitution by her next court appearance, March 24.

J'Shon K. Naegely, 19, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Naegely is accused of possessing and selling a video game console and video games that did not belong to him.

Allison Josephine Minnick, 22, of Maple Ridge Road, Medina, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, speed not reasonable and prudent. Minnick was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Chad Cummings into a motor-vehicle accident reported at 5:16 a.m. Saturday on Route 262, Byron.

A 17-year-old resident of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. The teen allegedly sent threatening text messages to a female victim causing annoyance and alarm. 

Cheryl A. Baker, 32, of Rochester, is charged with forgery, 2nd, falsifying business records, offering for file a false instrument, criminal impersonation, 2nd, and driving on a suspended registration. Baker was arrested by State Police for alleged criminal activity in the Town of Pembroke. She was jailed on $15,000 bail. No further information available at this time.

Matthew D. Chojnacki, 80, of Akron, is charged with DWI. Chojnacki was stopped at 1:23 p.m. Friday on Route 33, Bergen, by State Police.