Bergen

James Benjamin Page, 38, of Edgeware Road, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without an ignition-interlock device. Page was allegedly found by Deputy Jeremy McClellan at 11:35 p.m. Saturday loading scrap metal from a local business into a vehicle without permission. He allegedly had possession of control of the vehicle at the time.

Mallard Akoma Newkirk, 25, of Lake Artesia Road, Faison, N.C., is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Newkirk was arrested after a report of the odor of marijuana coming from a hotel room at the Econo Lodge in Pembroke at midnight, Saturday.

Patricia Lynn Gertis, 57, of Mount View, Arcade, is charged petit larceny. Gertis is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's Department Store in Batavia.

Deborah Ann Scholonski, 48, of Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; speeding; driving a vehicle without valid inspection; and insufficient tail lamps. Scholonski was stopped at 11:30 p.m. Friday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Andres A. Arteaga, 20, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Arteaga was stopped at 1:53 a.m. Sunday on Route 98 in the Town of Batavia by State Police.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 7139 South Lake Road, Bergen.

No word yet on injuries.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:13 p.m.: A chief on scene reports a truck on its side. Investigating.

UPDATE 9:14 p.m.: No injuries. No entrapment.

Jonathan P. Balaz, 41, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 2nd. Balaz is accused of intentionally pulling a fire alarm at the DePaul Housing Complex on East Main Street at 12:43 p.m. Wednesday causing an emergency response by Batavia fire when there was no emergency. He is also accused of the same crime, with the same charge, at 9:17 p.m. Friday.

Dawn M. Orlando, 48, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Orlando is accused of hitting another person in an incident reported at 12:30 p.m. March 25.

Marcus L. Speed, 30, of Hawthorne Court, Elmira, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an appearance ticket. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Walter B. Hale Jr., 40, of East Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant related to a charge of criminal contempt, 2nd. He posted bail and was released.

Cathleen Joan Mills, 48, of Route 333, Campbell, is charged possessing for sale or transport more than 10,000 unstamped cigarettes. Mills was charged as a result of an investigation by Deputy Robert Henning of a report of a person buying a large quantity of cigarettes.

Luis Gabriel Lopez, 21, of 7 Fairway St., Macedon, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 3rd. Lopez was charged after he was allegedly found in possession of marijuana with an aggregate weight of more than eight ounces during a vehicle checkpoint at 4:59 p.m. Saturday on Route 33, Bergen, by Deputy Matthew Bailey and Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Curtis Rashaad Beaty, 20, of Winbourne Road, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, unlawful possession of marijuana, and driving without a valid vehicle inspection. Beaty was charged following a stop by Deputy Ryan DeLong and Matthew Bailey at a vehicle checkpoint at 4:59 p.m. Saturday on Route 33.

Dartanyon A. Robinson, 47, of Rochester, is charged with driving under the influence of drugs, driving without an interlock device, aggravated unlicensed operation and speeding. Robinson was stopped at 7:39 a.m. Friday on the Thruway in the Town of Batavia by State Police.

Bradley W. Polle, 40, of Spencerport, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Polle was arrested by State Police in Bethany.

David J. Zauner, 50, of Darien Center, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, falsifying business records, and filing a false instrument. Zauner was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Benito Hernandez-Vega, 37, of Le Roy, is charged with felony driving under the influence of drugs, felony aggravated DWI with a child in the vehicle, and endangering the welfare of a child. Hernandez-Vega was stopped at 1:14 p.m. Wednesday on Route 5 in Stafford by State Police.

Press release:

The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society is hosting a free public presentation on endangered species at the Gillam Grant Community Center on Saturday, April 28, to encourage Bergen Swamp community members to be aware of the sensitivity of this ecosystem.

The society wants to bring awareness about the need to preserve the rare animals in the swamp, discourage poaching or killing these animals, and how to identify and report some non-native invasive species.

Bergen Swamp Preservation Society's “Meet and Greet” at the Gillam Grant Community Center will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. The center is located at 6966 W. Bergen Road in Bergen. Refreshments will be available.

The Bergen-Byron Swamp is a refuge for a diversity of wetland plant and animal life. How many people have actually seen some of the most famous animals of the swamp? Now is your chance to meet some of these animals in person with Seneca Park Zoo herpetologists.

These professional herpetologists will share with the public a live Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, a black rat snake and a spotted turtle.

Learn about the natural history of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, as well as some of the other reptile species found in the swamp. Learn why these reptiles are an important part of the ecosystem and what you should do if you encounter one!

Bergen Swamp Preservation Society trustees will also be on hand to answer any questions about the swamp’s special flora, fauna and geology. Learn about a new non-native invasive grass, brachypodium sylvaticum -- commonly known as false-brome, slender false brome or wood false brome -- that threatens the Bergen Swamp and what we can do to mitigate its threat.

Also, please note that Bergen Swamp Orchid tour will be held Saturday, May 19th. Tours are at 9 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. and meet at the Gillam Grant Community Center on West Bergen Road, Bergen.

(The Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School 2018 National Junior Honor Society.)

Submitted photos and press release: 

Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School celebrated the new membership of two dozen middle school students to the school’s National Junior Honor Society in a ceremony on March 21.

The inductees are:

• Eighth-grade: Aidan Clark, Leanna Curts, Angelique Heick;
• Seventh-grade: Cassidy Ball, David Brumsted, Dayanara Caballero, Cameron Carlson, Caris Carlson, Evan Cuba, Kendan Dressler, Frank Hersom, Ryan Muscarella, Valerie Pastore, Kendall Phillips, Austin Salmonds, Emily Salmonds, MacKenzie Senf, Zoey Shepard, Ava Wagoner, Lillian Walker, Leyna Wheeler, Hannah Wies, Nicholas Zwerka. 

The NJHS program highlights the well-rounded students at Byron-Bergen. Inductees are selected based on their high standards of scholarship, citizenship, service, leadership, and character. All members are required to demonstrate their achievements in each of these areas. New members join 40 standing members to round out the Byron-Bergen chapter

The evening began with a welcome from faculty advisors Ken Gropp and Kerri Smith. NJHS Vice President Alayna Streeter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The ceremony continued with opening remarks from Superintendent Mickey Edwards and Principal Patrick McGee.

(The traditional lighting of the candles symbolizing the tenets of the NJHS: character, service, leadership, scholarship and citizenship.)

Students Hope Hersom and Kelly Ireland led the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, that centers on the five qualities all members work to embody. Alaura Rehwaldt lit the candle symbolizing Character; Elli Schelemanow, Leadership; Grace Huhn, Service; Colby Leggo, Scholarship; and Corden Zimmerman ended with Citizenship.  

NJHS President Sarah Sue Streeter spoke about working hard for everything you want. She shared her story of not qualifying for membership in the society when she expected that she would. She was extremely disappointed, and determined to do better the next year.

“I worked and worked and worked,” she said. “And all the hard work paid off. When you really want something, you have to be willing to work hard to get it.”

The induction ceremony featured two guest speakers who were chosen by NJHS members: Byron-Bergen teachers Roxanne Wood and Peter Spence. They each spoke about the five qualities NJHS members must embody and how they are part of a successful life.

Wood challenged students to “set your goals higher than you think you can reach.”

As part of the induction ceremony, each new inductee received a certificate and pin, and the distinct honor to be a part of the National Junior Honor Society.

More than a million students participate in NJHS:https://www.njhs.us/. Membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but also challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

(All new inductees received a certificate and pin, and were acknowledged by the school’s administrators. Below, Ava Wagoner is congratulated by Ken Gropp.)

Joseph J. Cavico is indicted on counts of assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and menacing in the second degree. Cavico is accused of causing serious physical injury to another person by means of the use of a deadly weapon in the Town of Le Roy on Dec. 15. Cavico is accused of possessing a .357 magnum handgun with the serial number obliterated. He is accused of placing another person in reasonable fear of death or serious physical injury by displaying a deadly weapon in a menacing manner.

Joshua J. Bush is indicted on a count of rape in the first degree and two counts of rape in the third degree. Bush is accused of compelling a person to have sex Oct. 4 at a location in the Town of Bergen. He is accused of sex and oral sex with a person without that person's consent. 

Cindy M. Auberger is indicted on a count of felony DWI. Auberger is accused of driving drunk Oct. 29 in the Town of Bergen. Auberger has a prior DWI conviction in 2009.

Robert Vincent Campbell, 35, of College View, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and unlicensed driver. Deputies were dispatched at 9 p.m. Thursday to assist Batavia PD with an accident investigation where a female driver was suspected of being involved in the accident and fleeing the scene. The vehicle was located at a residence on Collegeview Drive, Batavia, by Deputy Ryan DeLong. DeLong was on scene investigating when Campbell allegedly drove to that location while intoxicated. Assisting in the investigation were Det. Matthew Wojtaszczyk and Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Bailey M. Burns, 18, Goade Park, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving without insurance, uninspected motor vehicle, and no registration plates displayed. Burns was stopped at 6:36 p.m. Friday on Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards. Melanie M. Bernard, 28, of Goade Park, Batavia, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Derek Edward Dingman, 30, Route 231, Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dingman was allegedly involved in a disturbance and threatened to shoot another person at 3:29 p.m. Friday at a location on Prospect Avenue, Batavia.

Shaleesa H. Woods, 26, of Ridge Road, Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate headlamps. Woods was stopped at 6:19 p.m. Thursday on Richmond Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Twan Conway, 47, of Highland Park, Batavia, criminal trespass, 2nd, aggravated family offense, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Conway allegedly entered a residence and made contact with a person on Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, in violation of a court order.

Eric J. McGill, 34, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. McGill was allegedly involved in a disturbance at Batavia Middle School at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 12 where he shouted obscenities in the presence of children.

Juaquin E. Davis, 22, of Milton Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal obstruction of breathing. Davis allegedly punched and choked a woman who was holding a child during an incident reported at 10:38 a.m. Feb. 23 on Center Street, Batavia.

William A. Irish, 25, of Jerome Place, Batavia, is charged with unlawful imprisonment. Irish was arrested in connection with a disturbance reported at 9:30 p.m. Feb. 20 on Jerome Place, Batavia.

Thomas A. Bolling, 39, of Mangolia Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and no headlights. Bolling was stopped at 10:38 p.m. Feb. 22 on East Main Street by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Rashawn L. Gosier, 39, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gosier is accused of stealing $44.25 in merchandise from Tops at 1:39 p.m., Saturday.

Rene M. Primus, 43, of North Byron Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate headlights, and open container. Primus was stopped at 10:02 p.m. Feb. 24 on Clinton Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Matthew J. Zane, 34, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Zane is accused of stealing beer from Speedway on West Main Street, Batavia. Zane was previously barred from the property.

Jason Lee Perry, 23, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st. Perry was arrested on unrelated charges. Upon processing in the Genesee County Jail, he allegedly introduced contraband into a secure portion of the jail. He was jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Scott Henry Spencer, 54, of Ravenwood Street, Rochester, is charged with bail jumping, 2nd. Spencer was arrested by Monroe County Probation and turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a warrant out of County Court for alleged failure to appear on a felony charge. He was ordered held in jail pending arraignment.

Dawn Marle Gates, 48, is charged with Maplewood Parkway, Glens Falls, is charged with bail jumping, 2nd. Gates allegedly failed to appear on a felony criminal charge. Gates turned herself in at Pembroke Town Court and was jailed on $2,000 bail. Gates is also charged with criminal tax fraud, 4th.

Shannon Lynn Klinkbeil-Hayday, 41, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with identify theft, 1st, and grand larceny, 4th. Klinkbeil-Hayday is accused of assuming the identity of another person with the intent to steal more than $1,000. She was arraigned in Town of Bethany Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Lawrence Armani Elsaw, 18, of Oak Mills Crossing, West Henrietta, is charged with criminal mischief. Elsaw allegedly damaged a window valued at more than $250 at College Village at 5 p.m. on Jan. 23. The case was investigated by Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Christopher Michael Macomber, 45, of Buffalo Street, Bergen, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and no tail lamps. Macomber was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $1,500 bail or $4,000 bond.

Timothy P. Pendleton, 32, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Gregg E. Smith, 60, of Stafford, is charged with DWI. Pendleton and Smith were charged by State Police following a motor vehicle accident reported at 4:40 p.m. Feb. 28. at Prole Road, Stafford.

This is the fourth in a series of five stories about the honorees at this Saturday's annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is being held at the Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

The Firing Pin in Bergen is a friendly place to visit. Owner Brandon Lewis is a big reason why. Open and gregarious, he's eager to help his customers and ensure when they come to use the range they do so safely and get the most enjoyment from it as possible.

The store is brightly lit, clean and well-stocked.  

It's no wonder, the Firing Pin was selected by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce as the Innovative Enterprise of the Year.

Lewis, the owner, said he was humbled to receive the award.

“When you go into business, you never know what’s going to happen,” Lewis said. “To be recognized for the work you do is the icing on the cake. It can’t get better than that.”

Lewis started planning to open The Firing Pin in 2011. He wanted to offer a facility with a full range of products and services, that was not a typical gun shop. He felt it was something the community needed, and the public responded well to the business.

“We cater to those who are afraid of guns, and those who use guns,” Lewis said. “We cater to every skill level. We’re a destination for anyone who is looking to be better.”

The facility, located at 8240 Buffalo Road, was built in 2013 and opened in 2014.

Lewis went to Alexander High School when he thought of the idea of running his own place. The idea took time to develop, so he went to St. John Fisher College.

He took a job at Gander Mountain, and decided he wanted to open a place that gave more training, the right training, and safe training.

Lewis is an eagle scout, a certified NRA pistol and rifle instructor, a certified GLOCK Armorer and a black belt in Taekwondo.  

“Everywhere down south there are gun shops and ranges,” Lewis said. “It is popular down south and it’s something I felt we needed.”

The Firing Pin is open seven days a week, Monday from noon until 8:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. They offer group rates, memberships and firearm rentals, in addition to one-on-one training with NRA certified instructors.

More information and pricing can be found here.

Raymond C. Cook, 47, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cook is accused of holding the arms of another person during a fight reported at 6:17 p.m. Thursday at a location on Center Street, Batavia. Also charged with second-degree harassment is 28-year-old Rae C. Cook, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, who is accused of striking another person several times in the face and head. Lyndsay J. Wilcox, 33, of Center Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment, too. Wilcox is accused of hitting another person.

Ronald P. Dixon Jr., 39, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. Dixon was remanded to jail.

Jason L. Johnson, 35, of Autumn Chapel Way, North Chili, is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Johnson was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop by Officer Stephen Cronmiller at 10:08 p.m. Wednesday on Walnut Street, Batavia.

Cody A. Eaton, 28, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of burglary, 2nd, two counts of petit larceny, and two counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Eaton was arrested following a report of a domestic dispute at 11:31 a.m. Feb. 13 at a location on East Main Street, Batavia.

James John Bachorski, 49, of Weber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with possession of a weapon on Genesee County property. Bachorski allegedly possessed a cutting instrument during a meeting at the Genesee County Probation Office, in violation of Genesee County municipal law.

Joseph Martin Blatchley, 40, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with falsifying business records, 1st. Blatchley is accused of removing and altering business records from a business on Oak Street while employed there.

Joseph Earnest Marr, 39, of Nesbitt Road, Attica, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Marr is accused of violating a stay away order of protection.

A car has reportedly hit a tree in the area of mile marker 3.1 on Route 490 in the eastbound lane and two people have complaints of pain.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 12:17 a.m.: Three people involved. One is a sign-off. The other two have possible minor injuries. All responders can come in non-emergency.

A barn fire is reported at 7637 Buffalo Road, Riga. That's in the Bergen Fire District.

Bergen fire responding.

City's Fast team and Mercy EMS dispatched. Le Roy's ladder truck requested to the scene.

A chief on scene reports firefighters will execute an exterior attack only. There are some small explosions, possible fireworks.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: The fire is under control and hot spots are being extinguished. Mumford and Churchville also responded to the blaze.

A driver spotted a German shepherd wearing a bandana walking along the roadway in Bergen and stopped, opened her car down and the dog jumped in.

The dog seemed friendly at first, the caller told a dispatcher, but now it's growled a couple of times.

The caller is parked at the 7-Eleven in Bergen awaiting the arrival of Animal Control.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: As Animal Control was showing up at the 7-Eleven, so did the dog's owner. Owner and dog reunited.

Jaylinn M. Oneil, 27, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and endangering the welfare of a child. Oneil was arrested by members of the Local Drug Task Force following a search of his residence as the result of an investigation initiated by the Department of Social Services. Following arraignment, Oneil was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Timothy James Hodgins, 32, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate headlamps. Hodgins was stopped at 7:48 p.m. Thursday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Andrew Charles McGiveron, 29, of Walkers Corners Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. McGiveron was stopped at 7:52 p.m. Feb. 2 on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Investigator Christopher Parker. McGiveron was allegedly found in possession of a glass pipe and a small quantity of marijuana during a traffic stop.

Paul Donald Fields Jr., 48, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .8 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and moving from lane unsafely. Fields was charged following an investigation by Deputy Travis DeMuth into a motor-vehicle accident reported at 10:46 p.m. Wednesday on Indian Falls Road, Pembroke.

Abrain D. Wright, 33, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wright was stopped by State Police at 11:07 p.m. Thursday on Route 33 in Bergen.

Students from Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School who are participating in Sandy Auer's pottery classes traveled to Rochester today for the class's annual visit to the Flower City Arts Center, where they could experience throwing pottery for a first time on a pottery wheel. The students then work with Mrs. Auer one-on-one in class throwing their own pottery pieces. 

"It's a great experience for the students," Mrs. Auer said.

Photos and info provided by Byron-Bergen High School.