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Bethany

Car vs. pole accident reported on Route 20, Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly hit a pole in the area of 4196 Broadway Road, Bethany.

The call originally came in as unknown injuries. A second caller on scene reports no injuries.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 12:19 a.m.: The second caller is apparently the driver. He reports extremely icy conditions. Responding units are advised.

First responders called to weather-related incidents county-wide

By Billie Owens

NOTE: Readers, if you have weather-related photos, photos related to anything in this post, email them to howard@thebatavian.com

A tree is down, partially blocking the roadway at 10840 Bowen Road in Alexander. Alexander firefighters are responding with a chainsaw to cut the tree and remove it.

In the area of the Log Cabin Restaurant, a transformer and three or four power lines are down in the roadway. The location is 1227 Gilmore Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. National Grid is notified; no ETA -- "They're obviously are dealing with multiple issues."

Wires and/or tree branches are reported down on Whitney Mill Road in Elba.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: A tree and wires are down and entangled at 3583 Batavia Oakfield Townline Road.

UPDATE 10:43 a.m.: Tree down across the roadway at 9555 Beaver Road, Alexander.

UPDATE 10:44 a.m.: Tree and/or wires down on Francis Road, between Brown Road and Route 20, Bethany.

UPDATE 10:46 a.m.: Tree and wires down at 2781 Shelby Road. Oakfield Fire Department responding.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: DPW requested by City Fire to Cherry and Pringle for a large limb down blocking the roadway.

UPDATE 10:54 a.m.: National Grid is reporting 10 areas in Genesee County with power outages. The largest, 41 customers, is in Pavilion, in the area of Texaco Town. In Elba, Townline Road is being shut down at Pekin Road for a tree down.

UPDATE 10:59 a.m.: A tree has fallen into a residence at 3189 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. East Pembroke Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11 a.m.: A semi-truck rollover accident is reported on Route 77 in front of Darien Lake Theme Park. Unknown injuries. Unknown cargo. Darien Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11:04 a.m.: A large pine tree is reportedly down across the road in the area of 3525 Rose Road, Batavia. On Darien truck accident, truck is empty, no injuries, no fuel spill. Darien Fire can respond non-emergency.

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: There is a power outage in East Pembroke with 40 customers without service. In Pembroke, a poll with a transformer is leaning with low hanging wires in front of Yancys Fancys.

UPDATE 11:23 a.m.: A box truck rollover accident is reported on Route 77 at McGregor Road, Darien. Injuries are reported. There are reportedly two occupants in the truck. Darien Fire dispatched. A chief is requesting that Route 77 be shut down to truck traffic.

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: Route 5 is being shut down for westbound traffic at Route 77.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: Wires in trees with flames is reported on Dodgeson Road and Seward Road, Alexander. Alexander Fire responding.

UPDATE 11:35 a.m.: A tree and wires down, no fire, in the area of 2257 Countyline Road, Darien.

UPDATE 11:46 a.m. There is reportedly a car on tree branches and wires with a fuel leak in the area of 2023 Indian Falls Road, Pembroke. There are occupants in the vehicle. East Pembroke fire responding. No sparks are flames. Wires down at 118 E. Main St., Le Roy. A tree is down and blocking at Circular Hill Road and Wilcox Road, Byron.

UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: A tree is down on a house on Union Street. No structural damage. No wires down but it looks like the rest of the tree might come down soon.

UPDATE 12:13 p.m. A tree has come down on a gray Toyota Avalon at the McDonald's in Le Roy. It's unoccupied. Unknown owner at this time.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: In Alabama, 90 National Grid customers are without power.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: If we've got the right call here, occupants extricated at incident on Indian Falls Road.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: A dispatcher informs a Sheriff's patrol supervisor that there is a long list of pending hazardous conditions calls.

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.: A tractor-trailer rollover is reported in Pavilion on Route 63 at Court Road. Pavilion fire dispatched. Unknown injuries. Unknown cargo.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: Route 63 is being shut down. The driver can't be located. A pole with transformer is broken. The location is in Wyoming County. A Wyoming County deputy is in route. There is a fuel leak.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: The driver is in a pickup truck parked roadside.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: Oakfield fire is dispatched to 7001 Lewiston Road, the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District, bus garage, for a fire alarm in the gas island.

UPDATE 12:41 p.m.: On Pavilion truck accident, Mercy ambulance can continue non-emergency. Probably a sign-off. The trailer is empty. Small fuel spill to clean up.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: Westbound Route 5 in Le Roy is being shut down by Le Roy fire at York Road. We didn't catch the reason.

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: Limb down on Pringle Avenue, Batavia. No electrical lines involved.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: A two-car accident is reported at Buffalo Street and Attica Road, Alexander. Alexander fire dispatched. Unknown injuries. A large tree is down on South Main Street. South Main is being closed at River and at Dewey.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: Wires arcing, 8503 Lover's Lane Road. East Pembroke fire dispatched.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Tree down blocking on Gilbert Street, Batavia. Also, State Street is being blocked.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Photo submitted by Cherie Chatt of a tree down on a house in Oakfield.

There is also a tree down on wires at 2781 E. Shelby Road. Oakfield Fire Police on scene.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: Tractor-trailer rollover accident reported at 6744 Quaker Hill Road, Elba. Unknown injuries. Unknown cargo. Elba fire dispatched.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: Reader-submitted photo of tree down on South Main Steet, Batavia.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Power outage in Elba, 316 customers without power. 

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Tree down on Fisher Road, Oakfield.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: Law enforcement dispatched to Lewiston Road in the area of the Thruway overpass for a report of a person in black pants and a black jacket with red hat looking in mailboxes.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Traffic lights are out in the city at Main and Oak streets.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: Photo of Lewiston and Main, Batavia, about 30 minutes ago. There were strong winds and heavy snow for a short period. Every traffic light on West Main is out of service.

UPDATE 3:52 p.m.: It was a very busy day for emergency dispatchers. Sheriff William Sheron shared the photos below from one of the busy times. The call rate has slowed considerably over the past hour or so.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: Photo submitted by a reader, 40 Church St., Le Roy.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: Mari Egloff submitted these photos of trees down in her yard in Alexander.

UPDATE: Dayne Burroughs and Pamela Reinhardt shared the pictures below of damage at St. Joe's Cemetery.

Law and Order: Person accused of twice pulling fire alarm when there was no emergency at DePaul

By Howard B. Owens

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.

DOT announces $1.4 million in funding for Bethany Center Road Bridge

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas today announced that construction has begun on a $1.4 million project to replace the bridge carrying Bethany Center Road (County Road 15) over U.S. Route 20 in the Town of Bethany, Genesee County.

The project will replace the 86-year-old bridge and improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians with upgraded guide rails, pavement markings, and signage. The bridge carries an average of more 1,500 vehicles each day.

“Governor Cuomo has made smart investments in transportation a priority across New York State, modernizing bridges and highways to support mobility and commerce, Acting Commissioner Karas said. “This bridge in Genesee County will provide safe, reliable passage for motorists and pedestrians for generations to come.”

The existing bridge will close on April 8th and traffic will be detoured. Construction is scheduled to be completed this fall.

The bridge, first constructed in 1932, will be replaced with a single-span steel structure. The two piers that support the bridge will be removed, eliminating the potential for falling concrete.

The new bridge will facilitate the movement of freight and support emergency service vehicles.

Senator Michael Ranzenhofer said, "The condition of the Bethany Center Road Bridge has been deteriorating for years, and I have been advocating for replacing the 86-year-old bridge. That is why I am pleased that this project is moving forward. This infrastructure improvement project will ensure the safety of the more than 1,500 vehicles driving over the bridge each and every day."

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley said, “Residents shouldn’t have to worry about their safety when crossing one of our area’s local bridges, and the Bethany Center Road Bridge replacement gives peace of mind to our families and businesses that use this route each day.

"Bridges are not only a means of travel from one place to the next but a means of security for our citizens making the morning commute, our children taking the bus to school, our emergency, fire and police vehicles responding to an accident and our business owners transporting goods to market. Projects like this are crucial to the vitality of our economy and community, and I am pleased to see it moving forward.”

Consistent with Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative, this bridge project was designed to minimize impacts to the traveling public. The bridge is being closed to all traffic so that work can be completed most efficiently. Two types of detours will be put in place.

During the replacement of the bridge, Bethany Center Road will close for approximately five months. A southbound detour will be posted for motorists to use Old Telephone Road, Route 20, East Road, and Raymond Road. Local traffic will be maintained, but not over the bridge.

Additional temporary detours will be posted to reroute traffic from Route 20 onto Old Telephone Road, which runs parallel to it, for safety purposes during the demolition of the existing structure and placement of the new bridge. This detour will be in effect for the following dates:

April 9 to April 22 from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m.
June 5 to June 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m.
July 10 to July 12 from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.

PHOTOS: Photos from 2012 by Howard Owens.

New recycling procedures announced for Bethany Transfer Station users

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Town of Bethany:

Beginning Saturday, April 7, all recyclables such as plastic, cardboard, glass, tin cans and aluminum cans are to be bagged and disposed of the dumpster designated for recyclables. These items may be bagged together. There will be a charge of $4 per bag.

If a container can be easily flattened, please do so. This will take up less space in the dumpster resulting in fewer hauls.

All items must be rinsed; labels do not have to be removed. 

More information is available at the Town Hall or at the Transfer Station.

Carl Hyde Jr., Bethany Town Supervisor

Two dozen county fire personnel completed hazmat incident command training on Feb. 22

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Twenty-four Genesee County fire personnel completed the Hazardous Material Incident Command program on Feb. 22.

This 24-hour program, held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center, was presented by Fire Protection Specialist Lawrence E. Babcock. It provides the hazardous materials incident commander with the skills necessary to successfully and safely manage the incident.

The course focused on the need for an organized approach to managing hazardous materials incidents, the required elements for an employer’s emergency response plan and site-specific pre-incident emergency planning.

Incident analysis, development of site safety plans, strategic goals for hazardous materials incidents and development of a plan of action and its application and tactical objectives to accomplish the strategic goals were also addressed.

Participants included: 

Alabama

Aron Kehlenbeck

Alexander

Nathan L. Fix

Tom Green

Sean M. McPhee

Lance Scharlau

City of Batavia

Stefano Napolitano

Bethany

Kyle L. Rombaut

Corfu

Mitchell  Bates

Kristen M. Gaik

Gregory S. Lang

Lori Ann Santini

Brian D. Schollard

Daniel P. Smith

Benjamin P. Trepani

Elba

Michael J. Schad Jr.

George M. Underhill

Caitlin E. Zipfel

Pavilion

Kelly Kraft

Bryen Murrock

John P. Weis

Nick J. Wright

Stafford

Rodney B. Bobo

Stephanie E. Call

Timothy E. Eckdahl

Leadership, Accountabiity, Courage & Knowledge class attended by 37 local volunteer firefighters

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The second Leadership, Accountabiity, Courage & Knowledge (L.A.C.K.) class of 2018 was attended by 37 Genesee County volunteer firefighters.

The L.A.C.K. program held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center on Feb. 15 was a four-hour program providing  an opportunity for fire officers, training officers and chief offers to improve their personal and organizational skill set.

Ongoing eduction and training of our first responders is essention for awareness, prevention and safe and effective response.

Visit the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management FACEBOOK or department Web page for future training opportunities.

February L.A.C.K. participants in Genesee County included: 

ALABAMA FIRE DEPARTMENT 

Richard Brunea                 

Sidney N. Eick

Aron J. Kehlenbeck                 

Ryan Thompson                 

Todd M. Thompson                 

BATAVIA, TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT

Scott T. Maloy                 

BERGEN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Scott R. Mayne                 

BETHANY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Jeff R. Fluker

Christopher M. Page

Jeff Pietrzykowski

BYRON VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Justin T. Baxter                 

Robert A. Mruczek

CORFU VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Gregory S. Lang                    

Matthew R. Lenhard

Rob G. McNally

Daniel P. Smith

DARIEN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Joe T. Marino                 

David W. McGreevy                 

Timothy E. McGreevy                 

EAST PEMBROKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Lloyd J. Casselbury                    

Destin G. Danser                 

James R. Gayton                    

Paul J. Kirsch                 

Donald E. Newton Jr.                    

Jocyelyn Perry                    

Julie Waldron                    

David A. Winters            

ELBA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Kevin W. Dart                    

Nicholas J. Esten                    

Leonard  Peterson                    

Caitlin E. Zipfel                  

INDIAN FALLS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Edwin F. Mileham Jr.                  

LE ROY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Timothy L. Hogle                          

PAVILION VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Dewey A. Murrock

Donald A. Roblee                          

SOUTH BYRON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Dean L. Bates                  

Scott A. Blossom

Photos: Manure truck accident on Cacner Road, Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A manure truck was involved in an accident in the area of 5050 Cacner Road, Bethany, this afternoon.

A utility pole was damaged but there were no injuries.

The road remains closed at this time.

Photographs by Glenn Adams.

Bethany fire honors members, installs 2018 officers

By Howard B. Owens

Dan Adams was named Firefighter of the Year for the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department at the department's annual awards and installation dinner Saturday night.

Pictured with Adams are Jamie Fluker, Jeff Pietrzykowski and Jeff Fluker.

The 2018 officers are: Jeff Pietrzykowski, chief; Jeff Fluker, first assistant chief; Jamie Fluker, second assistant chief; Kyle Rombaut, captain; Christopher Page, lieutenant; Mel Davis, first aid captain; Jim Duval, first aid lieutenant; and George Larish, fire police captain.  

The board officers are: Christopher Page, president; Kyle Rombaut, VP; Corie Rombaut, secretary; Jeff Wolak, treasurer; with board directors -- Vicki Wolak, Peggy Johnson, Wayne Walker, Todd Mogenhan, Mel Davis, Bill Shea. The chaplain is Rev. Walter Whenhold.

Jamie Fluker received the Chief's Award.

The department responded to 132 calls. Jim Duval responded to 91 of those calls, the most of any member.

Greg Johnson put in 107 training hours, the most of any member.

The dinner featured a ceremony honoring all of the first responders in Bethany. A plaque will be hung in the Fire Hall that reads, "We Are All Heros."

Pictured, Jeff Fluker, Mel Davis and Peggy Johnson.

Jeff Fluker, who just finished a three-year stint as chief, and has been chief for nine of the past 11 years, received a gift from the department.

Tractor-trailer accident on Route 20 in Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor-trailer is reportedly on its side in the area of 5437 Broadway, Bethany.

Wires are down. Fluids are leaking.

The driver is reported trapped in the cab but uninjured.

Bethany fire responding.

Pavilion and Alexander requested to shut down eastbound and westbound Route 20.

No injury, but extrication needed in accident on Route 63, Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

No injuries are reported in an accident in the area of 5588 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, but extrication is needed.

Bethany fire, Stafford fire, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:26 a.m.: Manpower needed. The person who needs to be extricated is in a wheelchair. she is not insured. A first responder said it will be difficult to get her out but that she is probably just going to be a sign-off.

Law and Order: Shoplifting arrests announced

By Howard B. Owens

Shannon Marie Denison, 34, of Colony Run, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Denison is accused of shoplifting from an undisclosed location on Veterans Memorial Drive.

Nicholas Christian Doell, 27, of Lippold Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Doell allegedly violated a stay away order of protection at 3:20 p.m. Sunday.

James Courtney Presley, 35, of Frances Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, no tail lamps, and driver's view obstructed. Presley was stopped at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday. He was jailed on $250 bail or $2,500 bond.

Kenneth D. Barnhardt, 51, of Mt. Morris, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Barnhardt was stopped at 3:52 p.m. Saturday on Route 33 in Stafford by State Police.

Carl T. Amesbury, 25, of East Bethany, is charged with petit larceny. Amesbury is accused of shoplifting from a location in the Town of Batavia. He was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Food Link event at Bethany Community Center, no income restrictions, all welcome

By Billie Owens

The Town of Bethany will have a Food Link event from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Bethany Community Center. It is located at 10510 Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

There are no income requirements or restrictions.

Anyone wishing to volunteer, please phone Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. at 343-1399 or email him at  tob-supervisor@townofbethany.com

Event Date and Time
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Town of Bethany Food Link event is Feb. 24 -- no income restrictions, volunteers wanted

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Town of Bethany will have a Food Link event from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Bethany Community Center. It is located at 10510 Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

There are no income requirements or restrictions.

Anyone wishing to volunteer, please phone Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. at 343-1399 or email him at  tob-supervisor@townofbethany.com

Minor injuries reported after truck strikes tree on Bethany Center Road, Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

One person suffered minor injuries and was transported to UMMC by Bethany's ambulance following an accident at 9:27 p.m. in the area of 11176 Bethany Center Road, Bethany. 

A truck went off the roadway and struck a tree.

Bethany fire and ambulance responded. State Police are handling the investigation.

Photos by Glenn Adams.

 

Car hits utility pole on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A person reportedly suffered a minor hand injury in an accident in the area of 6131 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

A utility pole is snapped.

Bethany fire and Stafford fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:43 a.m.: All units can respond non-emergency.

Law and Order: Rochester man accused of assault and possessing .357 with serial number removed

By Howard B. Owens
       Joseph Cavico

Joseph J. Cavico Jr., 49, of Albert Street, Rochester, is charged with assault, 3rd, menacing, 2nd, willful defacement of a weapon, and criminal possession of a weapon. Cavico is accused of striking a victim numerous times and threatening the victim with a pistol and knife. During the investigation by Le Roy PD, police located a .357-caliber pistol with its serial number removed. Cavico was jailed without bail. The investigation is ongoing.

Roberta A. Goodman, 50, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Goodman was stopped by Le Roy PD at 12:48 p.m. June 20 following a complaint. Goodman allegedly failed to maintain her lane of travel and almost struck objects. Goodman was allegedly under the influence of prescribed medication.

Kimberly White, 28, of Wyoming Road, Wyoming County, is charged with petit larceny. White and an accomplice allegedly stole $319 of Hydroxycut supplements from Walgreens in Le Roy on May 16.

Shane E. Dann, 41, of Swan Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Dann was arrested on a City Court warrant. The charges were not released. 

Sean M. Haugh, 20, of North Main Street, Warsaw, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Haugh was arrested at the Wyoming County Jail and transported to Batavia City Court. Haugh was released after posting bail.

Rae C. Cook, 28, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cook is accused of punching a nurse while at UMMC's emergency room.

Kiara M. McCoy, 28, of Woodward Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, uninspected motor vehicle, and speeding. McCoy was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop at 10:32 p.m. Friday on Walnut Street, Batavia, by Officer James Prusak.

Nikkia Marie Phillips, 31, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Phillips is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart.

Anthony M. Strollo, 59, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with trespass. Strollo allegedly walked onto property on Wortendyke Road without permission at 2:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Kevin James Weber, 47, of Judge Road, Alabama, Alabama, is charged with menacing, 2nd. Weber allegedly threatened another person with a knife at 4:10 p.m. Thursday at a location on Judge Road, Alabama. He was ordered held on no bail and a full stay away order of protection was issued.

Jacklyn Maureen Ganzhorn, 30, of Genesee Street Road, Attica, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Ganzhorn allegedly struck another person at 10 p.m. Thursday at a location on Orangegrove Drive, Batavia.

Photos: Semi-truck slides off of Ellicott Street Road, Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A semi-truck driver lost control of his rig on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany at about 9 o'clock this morning and slid off the roadway.

No injuries were reported.

The accident was in the area of 5902 Ellicott Street Road.

Bethany fire responded.

Photos by Glenn Adams.

Law and Order: Oak Street resident charged with robbery

By Howard B. Owens

James J. Spivey, 19, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 2nd. Spivey is accused of forcefully taking property from another person at 2:25 p.m., Oct. 25, while on Park Avenue, Batavia. He was jailed without bail.

William G. Schultz, 43, of Evans Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Schultz was allegedly found in possession of stolen property -- the property is not specified -- while at 1 W. Main St., Batavia. The original incident was reported at 11:46 p.m. Oct. 6 at a residence on Union Street, Batavia. Schultz was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Cameron Robert Lochren, 23, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged while driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving without headlines, and driver's view obstructed. Lochren was stopped at 12:58 a.m. Friday on Railroad Street, Alexander, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Lochren was jailed on $1,250 bail or $2,500 bond.

Robert David Cummings III, 31, of Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Cummings is accused of damaging the property of another person at 3 p.m. Friday at a location on Phelps Road, Pembroke. 

Amie Lin Santiago, 31, of Hindsburg Road, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Santiago was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 1:47 a.m. Saturday on Roberts Road, Alabama, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Alex A. Applegate, 21, of Upper Holley Road, Holley, is charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. Applegate was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident Saturday on Route 237 in Byron. The accident was investigated by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Gerald Jacob Farrell, 24, of Nunda-Byersville Road, Nunda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or more, and failure to keep right. Farrell was stopped at 12:28 a.m. Sunday on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan. 

Local volunteer firefighters train and hone their skills to save lives and help in dangerous situations

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Fifteen area firefighers successfully completed the Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) training program held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. Also, an eight-hour Trench Rescue Awareness course was recently conducted at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. Twenty-two members of the County’s volunteer fire service completed this program on Nov. 9.

BASIC EXTERIOR FIREFIGHTER OPERATIONS TRAINING PROGRAM

BEFO is an entry-level program requiring 79 hours of classroom instruction and skill development. This course is designed to prepare students to respond to emergencies as exterior firefighters. BEFO prepares new firefighters to operate under direct supervision in the exterior or IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) areas of the fire scene.

Students participated in training covering: firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE); self-contained breathing apparatus inspection and cylinder changing; fire department communications; building construction and fire behavior; modern fire control research; portable fire extinguishers; rope and knot tying; ground ladders; forcible entry; tactical ventilation theory; water supply; hose and fire streams; loss control; orientation to fire origin and cause determination; fire prevention and life safety initiatives; confined space awareness; overview of first aid and buddy care; and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations. 

Genesee County BEFO training participants included: 

Alexander Fire Department

  • Matthew F. Grimes                    
  • Adam F. Meier                 
  • Douglas G. Mess                 
  • Heidi L. Richmond                    

Bethany Volunteer Fire Department

  • Timothy J. McCabe                    

Darien Center Chemical Fire Company

  • Megan R. Brown                    

East Pembroke Fire Department

  • Lloyd J. Casselbury

Pavilion Fire Department

  • Amanda A. Goodwin                    
  • Sean P. Vogt Jr.                    
  • Timothy R. Zipfel Jr.                     

South Byron Fire Department

  • Aaron N. Belluscio                 
  • Theresa E. Hammer                 
  • Andew L. Konieczny                 
  • Vitorrio J. Muoio                    

Stafford Volunteer Fire Department

  • Samantha S. Call                  

TRENCH RESCUE AWARENESS COURSE

Problems that can and do occur in trench rescue incidents were discussed. Safety techniques, shoring techniques, proper procedures, team operations and hazard assessment were addressed.

Trench Rescue Awareness participants included:

Town of Batavia Fire Department

  • Joshua K. Boyle
  • Clayton A. Gorski                 

Bethany Volunteer Fire Department

  • Christopher M. Page
  • Kyle L. Rombaut

Corfu Rescue Hook & Ladder Co.

  • Mitchell D. Bates
  • Gregory S. Lang
  • Matthew P. Lenhard
  • Steven D. Rodland
  • Jeffrey D. Luker

Darien Center Chemical Fire Company inc.

  • Joe T. Marino
  • David W. McGreevy
  • Mark R. Starczewski Sr.
  • Paul C. Redden

Elba Fire Department

  • Nickolas J. Esten
  • John D. Mudrzynski
  • Jason R. Pallister
  • Michael J. Schad Jr.
  • George M. Underhill
  • Caitlin E. Zipfel                    

Pembroke Fire District

  • James Reinhardt
  • Tera L. Reinhardt

Stafford Volunteer Fire Department

  • Timothy E. Eckdahl

Authentically Local