Bethany

Investigators have leads to track down and a person of interest in a home invasion assault in Bethany three nights ago, according to Investigator Chris Parker, who is leading the case.

The 73-year-old victim is in stable condition at Strong Memorial Hospital after initially being transported to UMMC the night of the attack.

Parker said he has interviewed someone who is not a suspect at this time, but truly a person of interest.

The crime was reported just before 9 p.m., Saturday at a residence in the Bethany Center Road, Paradise Road area of Bethany.

The victim called 9-1-1.  He told deputies on scene that he was asleep and the intruder woke him. He said he had been hit with an unknown object, which caused facial wounds, and sprayed with an unknown substance.

Parker did not discuss what might have been used to hit the victim, but that all indications are, whatever the victim was sprayed with was likely nothing more than water. There is no evidence to indicate it was any other substance.

"I can allay any public fears that there is a person or persons out there coming into people's homes and assaulting them," Parker said. "That is not the case here. This was not a random act."

People with information that might be helpful to the case can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

A 73-year-old man in Bethany was asaulted tonight in his home by an intruder and is being transported to UMMC by ambulance for treatment of his injuries. 

The intruder awoke the man and struck him several times with an unknown object. He also sprayed him with an unknown substance. 

The suspect was not on scene when deputies arrived and law enforcement has no description at this time. 

The initial 9-1-1 call was just before 9 p.m.

UPDATE 9:07 a.m.: The driver, Brian D. West Jr., 17, of West Bethany Road, died this morning at 5:20 a.m. as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

A 17-year-old East Bethany resident was seriously injured tonight after he lost control of his pickup truck and it rolled over -- perhaps twice -- on West Bethany Road, near his home.

The youth, who was ejected from the truck, was flown by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. He was conscious and alert, and even trying to get up, when an Alexander fire chief first arrived at 10198 West Bethany Road.

"There is a hill rise to the south of us," said Sgt. Eric Seppala, explaining the sequence of events in the accident. "He was northbound. For some reason, he moved from his northbound lane to the southbound lane, went across it, went off the west shoulder of the road. The tires bit in and the vehicle rolled at least once and then continued and rolled to a stop. During that time, somewhere near the end, is when he was ejected from the vehicle through the driver’s side door window."

The cause of the accident, reported at 10:39 p.m.,  is under investigation, according to Seppala, but there is no indication at the scene of alcohol or mobile phone use prior to the accident.

Within the 100 yards or so from where the Chevy Avalanche appears to have started to swerve and cross over into the southbound lane to where it finally came to rest on its three remaining wheels, there are tire marks, deep gouges in the asphalt roadway, bits of metal from the truck, and a small field of auto glass.

Whether speed was a factor hasn't been determined, but traffic citations are possible, Seppala said. 

Deputies were unable to speak with the youth before he was transported to Strong.

Seppala said it hasn't been determined yet if he was wearing a seat belt, but they suspect he wasn't.

There was a small fire in the truck when Alexander chiefs arrived on scene and they were able to put it out with portable extinguishers. 

Deputy Howard Wilson is handling the accident investigation.

Alexander fire and Mercy EMS responded to the accident. Troopers also assisted at the scene.

The driver's name will be available once the Sheriff's Office completes its reports and issues a press release.

(Initial Report)

There was a car with a small fire in the car -- the fire may be out -- in the area of 1098 W. Bethany Road, Bethany.

An Alexander fire chief is on scene.

A man is down in a driveway.

Mercy Flight, with a 20-minute ETA out of Buffalo, is in route.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider approving incentives for three projects at its meeting on Thursday, July 13, in the Innovation Zone board room on 99 Medtech Drive, starting at 4 p.m.

The Board will vote on whether to approve incentives for a $7.1 million expansion for a new 40,000-square-foot warehouse and service center for West Seneca-based Freightliner Western Star.

The expansion will create 24 new jobs and the center will be located adjacent to the New York State Thruway and next door to the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP).

The GVEP graduates are seen as an "ideal" workforce for the new facility. Freightliner Western Star is seeking approximately $662,000 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

The popular Coach Tony’s, which makes a wide variety of food sauces, is seeking to expand its operations in the Town of Bergen. The company is expanding and planning on constructing a 5,000-square-foot building on three acres at Apple Tree Acres. The project will create three new jobs. Coach Tony’s is seeking approximately $50,000 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

The third project for consideration by the GCEDC is a $170,749 GAIN! loan fund for First Light Creamery in East Bethany. The loan will be used to assist with its existing production of goats' milk cheese from local distribution to regional distribution by adding to their barn, and associated infrastructure, to house more goats.

The GCEDC Board meeting is open to the public.

Press release:

Gorgeous and lovingly maintained sprawling ranch on five-plus beautifully landscaped acres with a pond! Absolutely something for everyone in this well laid out home and the storage space is unbelievable! This home has two living rooms, gorgeous kitchen with awesome views of remarkable back patio and in-ground pool which overlooks pond and fields with wildlife galore. Owners have literally just finished reroofing home and upgraded the electrical prior to listing!

If all that isn't enough this home has an absolutely huge finished basement with cozy living area, workshop space and a man cave that everyone will be jealous of with kitchen/bar area AND two-hole putting green! This home goes on and on and was meant for entertaining! Great location close to Batavia, Alexander schools. Must see! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today or click here to view the complete listing.

Rachel Ann Baehr, 30, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, moving from lane unsafely, and speed not reasonable and prudent. Baehr's vehicle reportedly struck a utility pole on Main Street, Alexander, at 5:42 a.m. Tuesday. When deputies arrived on the scene, there was smoke coming from the vehicle and the pole was broken. Baehr was located walking around the vehicle. She was arrested following a field sobriety test. (Initial Report).

Tara Lynn Thurley, 38, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and falsifying business records, 1st. Thurley is accused of stealing money from her employer in Pavilion and making false entries into business records of the company in an effort to conceal the theft. She was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

The East Bethany Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary on June 3 and 4, inviting past and present church members, and the community to join the festivities.

In 1817, 11 members were a part of the congregational church society, but later voted to adopt the Presbyterian form of government in 1829. Robert Carlsen, a 55-year member, said there are 68 members now.

“We’re a small group but we have some of the most wonderful people you’ll want to meet,” Carlsen said. “We have been very lucky to have the younger ones, between the ages of 25 and 40, join our church.”

Carlsen said they have been preparing for the 200th anniversary for a few years by painting the outside of the church and touching up the inside.

Rev. Michael Stuart is the current part-time pastor and the spiritual care manager of HomeCare & Hospice, of Western New York.

According to a book of history compiled by Mary Jane Heywood, there have been 50 ministers of the congregation since 1817.

Carlsen said the biggest change he has seen for the church has been membership.

“We don’t have a men’s group or a ladies' group anymore,” Carlsen said. “There’s no choir anymore, only on special occasions. We are fortunate to have the younger ones in our church, but they’re busy.”

Carlsen said his wife was a Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years.

“I can remember when we had a Sunday School of 20,” Carlsen said, “now we have four.”

Carlsen said he hopes to have 80 members in the next 10 years.

“It’s a small amount, but at least it would be a step in the right direction,” Carlsen said. “I feel if we can keep doing what we’re doing and maintain the 68 members and add more to get up to 80, that would be wonderful.”

On June 3, there will be a meet and greet at 3 p.m. followed by a service of celebration at 4:30. A catered dinner will be held after the service and a memory hour will be held at 6:30.

On June 4, past and present East Bethany Presbyterian Church pastors will lead a workshop service at 10:30 a.m.

“People are leaving and moving away,” Carlsen said. “I’m hoping this celebration will bring them back.”

The church is located at 5735 Ellicott Street Road in East Bethany.

A 67-year-old man from Bradford was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on Route 63 in Bethany this morning after the car he was driving crossed the center line and struck a pickup truck.

Investigators have been unable to determine so far why the 2011 Toyota sedan driven by Gerald D. Makin crossed into oncoming traffic.

Makin was northbound.

A 2013 Ford F-150 was southbound, driven by Robert E. Moore Jr., 50, of Elba. More and his passenger, Christine Moore, 49, were both injured and were transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC.

Makin's passenger, Anna Ayers, 69, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Coroner Tom Douglas pronounced Makin dead at the scene.

A third vehicle, parked and unoccupied, was struck by Moore's truck. The driver of that truck was working on a nearby water well and saw the accident only after the vehicles struck.

A truck driver from York, Pa., witnessed the accident and provided investigators with a statement.

The accident occurred about a 1/4 mile south of Fargo Road, south of an infamous S-curve that has been the site of prior accidents. There has also been a previous accident in the curve where these cars collided, but Undersheriff Greg Walker said he doesn't believe the roadway was a factor in the accident, nor was the weather, which was warm and only slightly overcast without wind.

Walker said it's unknown if Makin had a medical issue that caused him to lose control of the sedan, nor can investigators say yet if distracted driving was a factor.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Cory Mower. Assisting at the scene were Walker, Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble, Investigator Chris Parker, the Crash Management Team, including Sgt. Jason Saile and Sgt. Eric Seppala, the Bethany Fire Department, the Stafford Fire Department, the Pavilion Fire Department, Mercy EMS and NY State Police.

(Initial Report)

An accident with entrapment and possibly serious injuries is reported on Route 63, in the S-curve south of Fargo Road, Bethany.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:31 a.m.: CPR is in progress. An engine out of Stafford is called. One Mercy Flight helicopter out of Buffalo is en route and another helicopter in Buffalo is put on ground standby. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene.

UPDATE 11:34 a.m.: State troopers are on scene. Bethany's ambulance is requested. Northbound traffic at Texaco Town is closed; southbound traffic will also be shut down. Extrications of victims are completed. Police patrol at Cedar Street and Route 63 will be set up to divert tractor trailer traffic. Mercy Flight is canceled. Crash Management Team is deployed.

UPDATE 11:44 a.m.: The accident involved a pickup truck and a sedan. It appears that both driver's sides clipped each other; the front-end damage to the sedan is severe. Fire police are requested to divert tractor trailer traffic (didn't catch the location).

UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: The Bethany ambulance is taking one patient to Strong Memorial Hospital. Fire police will divert tractor trailer traffic at East Bethany-Le Roy Road and Route 63.

UPDATE 11:54 a.m.: This is a fatal accident. The coroner has a 30-minute ETA.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Mercy medics also took a patient to Strong.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: They are going to shut down/divert traffic at Route 63 and Paul Road in East Bethany.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: Undersheriff Gergory Walker said three vehicles (including an unoccupied truck) and four people were involved in this accident. The person who died was the male driver of the sedan. He was in his 60s and lived in another county in New York. His female passenger sustained minor injuries and was alert and talking at the time she was transported to the hospital. The driver of the pickup and the passenger in the pickup both had minor injuries and were transported via ambulance to the hospital. Walker said the passenger car was northbound on Route 63 when, for undetermined reasons, it crossed the center line and struck the southbound pickup truck. The impact was front driver's side to front driver's side. Upon impact, the pickup truck veered over and struck an unoccupied work truck belonging to a man who was servicing a well in the area. The worker heard the crash, then turned around and "saw the end result of it." Weather was not a factor in the collision, nor were drugs and alcohol. It is unknown if any medical issues played a role, pending autopsy results. Walker said it was too early to determine if speed was a factor; there was no indication of any braking by the passenger vehicle before it collided with the truck. Asked about the 'S' curve, Walker said the roadway itself is not considered to be a factor and that "several cars go through this curve every day and most traffic can make it through with no issues," although he acknowleged there have been serious-injury accidents there. The cause of the accident "is all up in the air" at this point and the investigation is continuing.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m.: Route 63 is being reopened.

A rollover accident is reported at 10198 East Road in Bethany. No word on injuries. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between McLernon and Jerico roads.

UPDATE: Photos by Glenn Adams. 

Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde directing traffic. He is a volunteer firefighter.

Eight local volunteer fire companies are holding open houses this weekend and I was able to drop in on a couple of them today, though by the time I got to Stafford, things were just wrapping up. But the Perkins kids were still there, so we thought, we'll get a picture of them inside one of the fire trucks.

Carter, 4, was pretty done for the day and not really into it. One-year-old Elli was having none of it, but older sister Leyna, 7, was all smiles.

Below are pictures from Bethany and Town of Batavia.

Here's a list of tomorrow's open houses:

Byron Fire Department
6357 E. Main St., Byron
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fire-related demonstrations; mutual aid exercises, plus blood pressure checks, truck tours and trying on gear.

East Pembroke Fire Dept.
2623 Main Road, East Pembroke
Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon

Elba Fire Department
4 S. Main St., Elba
Sunday
Equipment displays and station tours.

To find out more about supporting your local fire department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Sath Paul Dhanda, 37, of Clapsaddle Road, Bethany, is charged with two counts of obstructing governmental administration, criminal contempt, 2nd, and two counts of harassment, 2nd. Dhanda allegedly violated an order of protection. He is accused of spitting on and kicking the arresting officer, Officer Pete Flanagan. He was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 cash.

Quentin L. Gibson, 32, of Glendale Drive, Lockport, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, no headlights, and obstructed view. Gibson was stopped at 11:47 p.m., April 7, on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Eric Foels.

Tyler D. Price, 24, no permanent address, was arrested for alleged failure to appear on a ticket.

Emily J. Walker, 24, of Sherman Stedman Road, Sherman Town, was arrested on a warrant. Walker allegedly violated terms of Drug Court. She was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Blake Riley Pahuta, 19, of Alleghany Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and improper right turn at an intersection. Pahuta was stopped at 12:28 a.m., Thursday, on South Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Jason Ivison.

Terry Lee Lamere, 52, of Buffalo Road, Bergen, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. 

Donald C. Hale, 58, of Townline Road, Byron, criminal contempt, 2nd, turned himself in to police in connection with an investigation into his alleged attempt to contact a protected person.

Brandon J. March, 32, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. March was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at 7:46 a.m., March 31, at a location on Cone Street, Batavia, by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Joseph M. Marranco Jr., 46, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Marranco allegedly stole prescription pills from another person. He was jailed on $5,000 bail, $10,000 bond.

A 17-year-old resident of Holland Avenue was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Aaron M. Talbot, 35, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd, harassment, 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Talbot was allegedly involved in a fight at 5:50 a.m., April 4, in which he struck another person and displayed a knife.

An accident involving a semi-truck and car is reported in the area of 5901 Route 20, Bethany.

No word on injuries.

There's heavy front-end damage is reported to a vehicle. The tractor-trailer went down a culvert and is in water. It's 80,000 pounds loaded. A heavy wrecker will be needed.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 12:34 p.m.: This accident involved a tractor-trailer and farm equipment. According to a deputy at the scene, two tractor-trailers were eastbound on Route 20 and nearing a hill. The tractor-trailer that was behind the foremost one decided to pass at the hill. After doing so, the trucker came upon a tractor that was towing a manure spreader. The farm tractor had just made a left-hand turn into the driveway of a farm but the manure spreader was still in the roadway when the passing tractor-trailer clipped the rear of the manure spreader, tearing off the spreader's rear axel. The tractor-trailer continued off the north shoulder of the roadway into a guard rail and down a deep culvert into a creek filled with water. The trucker suffered a big bump on his forehead. The deputy said citations will be issued. They have a lot of manure to clean up on Route 20 as a result of the accident.

UPDATE 12:52 p.m.: The Bethany assignment is back in service.

An injury is reported in an accident involving a car hitting a tree in the area of 9662 Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS responding.

From Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde:

Over the last two years the Town of Bethany has been trying to fill some vacant seats on the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals by running several ads with no success.

There are two vacant seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals and one vacant Planning Board seat and one vacant planning board secretary/alternate seat.

Vacant board seats count as NO votes.

Any Bethany resident who would like to fill a vacancy may contact the Town Clerk at 585-343-1399.

If these seats are not filled by the June 12^th Town Board meeting, the Town will move forward in adopting a local law changing the number of members on each board to five and five (respectively).

A building at 9778 Creek Road, Bethany, is charged with smoke, but no fire seen.

Bethany fire along with Town of Batavia and Alexander dispatched.

The location is Baskin Livestock.

UPDATE 5:57 a.m.: Town of Batavia can go back in service. Alexander to continue. Owner reported blown-out motor on a furnace. 

UPDATE 6:28 a.m.: Bethany assignment back in service. 

A car has struck a pole in the area of 10655 Molasses Hill Road, Bethany.

A line is arcing.

There are no injuries.

The road is being shut down.

Bethany fire is responding.

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: Road being reopened. Assignment back in service.