Bethany

In a letter to the Department of Transportation, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer has asked the agency to reconsider its delay in replacing the Bethany Center Bridge.

While the DOT has stated the bridge is safe, its visual deterioration gives the appearance of a bridge in a high degree of disrepair.

At one time, the bridge was scheduled for replacement in 2011, but it was moved down the priority list and the earliest proposed replacement is now 2015.

"I recognize that allocation of scarce resources is of particular concern, but I would urge you to reconsider the deferral of this project," Ranzenhofer wrote to Commissioner Joan McDonald. "Please consider adding this project to your list of top-priority projects and start the process that will allow this bridge to be replaced as expeditiously as possible."

Ranzenhofer said he has received numerous complaints about the bridge, both from residents and business owners. He cited the bridge as a vital link in local agriculture transportation, especially with the opening of the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

"Vital parts of the economy of the Genesee County would be seriously impacted by a failure of this bridge," Ranzenhofer wrote.

Download: Full letter (PDF).

Raymond Lee Leach Jr., 55, of Montclaire Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated sexual abuse 3rd. Leach is accused of jamming a toothbrush into the rectum of another Genesee County inmate while that person was sleeping. Bail on the new charge was set at $10,000.

John Thomas Jaccoud, 40, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Jaccoud is accused of stealing from Darien Lake Theme Park while employed at the park.

Brad C. Doward, 23, of 10 Hall St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Doward is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection. Doward allegedly went to the residence of the protected party and called that person on the telephone.

Melissa G. Betances, 31, of 189 1/2 Pearl St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Betances is accused of violation an order of protection by contacting the protected party via text message.

Nicole E. Reilly, 19, of 10483 Bethany Center Road, Bethany, and Jennifer L. Judkins, 18, of Albion, are charged with petit larceny. Reilly and Judkins allegedly stole merchandise from Dollar General on East Main Street, Batavia.

After posting our pictures this morning of the Bethany Center Road bridge, we contacted some of the officials who might be able to provide information about potentially replacing the decaying structure. Here are the responses we received.

From Lori Maher, spokeswoman for the Department of Transportation:

The Bethany Center Road bridge over Route 20 in Bethany is open and safe for traffic despite its poor visual appearance. It is a candidate for future funding and will be competing for funds against other transportation needs in the seven-county area.

In a follow-up, Maher said no date for replacement has been scheduled.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

There are currently 2108 structurally deficient bridges in New York State, 214 in the Rochester Finger Lakes Region, with 123 bridges located in the 139th Assembly District. The Bethany Center Road bridge is slated for repair in 2015 once funding is approved. We are working diligently and directly with NYSDOT and our federal representatives to procure our equitable and fair share of funds to assure our motoring public and commerce are safe.

Daniel Aikin for Senator Michael Ranzenhofer:

Our district office has not been previously contacted about this specific bridge project, the decay and repair of the Bethany Center Road Bridge. Even though the bridge is located on a county road, the State Department of Transportation may have jurisdiction over the bridge since it crosses a state road, Route 20. Senator Ranzenhofer represented residents at the county level for many years, and he always makes an effort to assist with local infrastructure projects. As a state senator, he has been active in working with DOT officials -- both locally and in Albany -- on specific road and bridge projects. Our office has reached out to the State Department of Transportation for more information regarding this project.

From Grant Loomis, spokesman for Congressman-elect Chis Collins:

Upon taking office in January, Congressman-elect Collins will work hand-in-hand with local leaders to advocate for the necessary amount of federal matching funds to assist local communities in repairing and replacing aging infrastructure to ensure safety for the traveling public.

In light of Highway Superintendent Tim Hens' statement to the county legislature yesterday that the state (using federal funds) has no immediate plans to replace the Bethany Center Road bridge over Route 20, I drove out there this morning to get some up-close pictures of the actual state of the bridge. Some readers may never get out there and may never see it.

A medical emergency requiring roadside attention is causing a hazardous traffic condition at the intersection of Bethany Center Road and Route 63. Law enforcement and fire police are responding to control traffic and Bethany rescue is on scene.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: The patient is being transported to UMMC.

Approximately three acres in Bethany of trees and leaves were burned Monday night after flames jumped out of a controlled burn and raced along the hillsides of a resident's property.

A resident was burning leaves, according to Jim Bouton, with Genesee Emergency Services, which ignited leaves he didn't intend to burn. The fire, pushed on by gusting winds, spread quickly north and east.

Bethany Fire Department was initially dispatched at 3:50 p.m. to 10689 Bethany Center Road. Also responding were Alexander, Bethany, Stafford, Town of Batavia and Wyoming.

Crews were on scene for three hours.

No structures were damaged. Crews were able to keep the fire away from most of a private campground and picnic area, which included a travel trailer and pavilion. They also prevented the fire from spreading into a ravine.

(Initial Report)

There's a report of a portion of woods on fire in the area of 10689 Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

Bethany Fire Department dispatched.

UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: Mutual aid is called from Wyoming County, Pavilion, Stafford and Alexander, plus a crew from the Town of Batavia is asked to stand by in quarters. A chief at the scene said "We've got a pretty good large area burning. It's not going anywhere but it's going to take awhile to put it out."

UPDATE 4:18 p.m.: A tanker from the Town of Batavia is requested. One company is bringing its Gator. The fire is getting bigger. "It's spreading pretty rapidly."

UPDATE 4:27 p.m. They are going to begin drawing from ponds, one from on property just north of the incident. There's a bridge which would provide access for equipment to fight the fire from another angle, but it is not strong enough for the tankers or brush trucks to cross. The northern border of the fire is near Route 20 and it's moving rapidly in a toward the Wyoming County border. They are calling for foot crews and hand equipment.

UPDATE 4:42 p.m.: Fire command says the eastern flank is nearly knocked down. They want crews to focus on the west side. They want to stop the fire "from going over the hill."

UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: The backside of the blaze is out and they will employ "Indian guns" to put out the hot spots. They will continue to focus on the west side.

UPDATE 4:49 p.m.: "The fire is out except for hotspots. A couple of us will stay back here until we can knock down the hotspots." Although another firefighter says there is still some advancing. A tanker from Town of Batavia is asked to stand by in Bethany's quarters.

UPDATE 6 p.m.: Fire under control, some units starting to break down.

UPDATE 6:47 p.m. Bethany and Stafford back in service.

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Driving back from Genesee County Park this afternoon, Billie and I headed down Francis Road and spotted a man on the side of a cliff digging. It wasn't hard to guess what he was doing, so I stopped to talk with him. Yup, Bob Lann, of Spencerport, was digging for fossils.

What I didn't know is that this old railroad cut in Bethany is recognized as a good spot for fossil hunting.

Lann is a veterinarian and amateur fossil hunter. This was his first trip to Bethany.

Based on a little Google search, I came across a fossil hunting blog by James Heaney. He says Western New York -- and Lann said this, too -- is a great place for fossil hunting, especially from the pre-dinosaur ages. A guy named Robert Eaton also has information online about fossils in the Genesee region.

Below, Lann displays portions of a trilobite he found today and a bit of coral.

A driver says she fell asleep at the wheel Saturday afternoon leading to a one-car rollover accident on Creek Road near Putnam Road.

Linda M. Drumstra, 59, of Brookville Road, Alexander, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight with non-life-threatening injuries.

Drumstra was driving a 2009 Toyota SUV northbound on Creek Road when her vehicle went off the roadway, struck two trees and overturned, coming to rest on the driver's side.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker, who issued a citation to Drumstra for allegedly moving from lane unsafely.

(Initial Report)

A one-vehicle rollover accident with injury is reported at Creek and Putnam roads. A Sheriff's deputy on scene says the accident is completely blocking traffic. There is one victim with a leg injury and he will need to be extricated since the vehicle is on its side. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Alexander fire police are also requested to the scene.

Southbound traffic will be stopped at Dorman and Creek roads.

UPDATE 12:42 p.m.: Mercy Flight will be responding.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed. The patient has been extricated. A flatbed tow truck is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 is en route to Strong. Verizon has been notified that a phone box near the accident site was destroyed.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: Bethany fire and Mercy medics are back in service.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: All responders are back in service.

A 65-year-old Bethany resident was injured Thursday, Oct. 26, when his motorcycle was struck by a car driven by his wife on Bank Road in the Town of Middlebury.

Ronald H. Stanton was stopped on the highway facing north talking with a person in another vehicle that was parked on the shoulder.

Ellen J. Stanton, 59, failed to see her husband stopped on the road and her vehicle struck the rear of the motorcycle ejecting Stanton.

Ronald Stanton suffered head, shoulder and knee injuries. He was transported by Warsaw Ambulance to Wyoming County Hospital.

Ellen Stanton was transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS for hand and arm injuries.

None of the injuries are considered life threatening and no citations were issued.

The accident was investigated by State Police in Warsaw.

Returning to Batavia from the Genesee County Park this morning, I came across this scene on West Bethany Road. The building across the street says "West Bethany Baptist Church" on it. There's a cemetery behind it and a cemetery to the south. This building and the park-like area around it strikes me as some sort of fellowship hall for the church, but I'm not sure. Interestingly, it appears the church is in the Town of Bethany and this building is in the Town of Alexander.

This morning, bright and early, I arrived at Genesee County Park, in Bethany, for a walk in the woods, with my camera of course.

If you've never been to the park, I highly recommend it. It's another one of Genesee County's gems.

Two men were arrested today for allegedly trespassing at the Rolling Hills Asylum in the Town of Bethany, according to State Police, following an investigation of an incident that occurred on Sept. 15.

Arrested where Andrew E. Cox, 18, of Gainsville, and 18-year-old Timothy E. Rafferty, of Pike. They were cooperative during the investigation and will appear in the Town of Bethany Court at a later date, State Police said.

On Sept. 15, employees of Rolling Hills Asylum reported seeing subjects walking on property that was clearly posted. The employees were able to produce a photo of the license plate of a vehicle used by the suspects.

Rolling Hills Asylum does conduct tours of their buildings and grounds, but does so by appointment only. The property is clearly posted and an informational sign is posted at the front of the building. People are not permitted to simply walk out onto the property or into the buildings without an appointment, according to State Police, who say they are concerned about ongoing trespass complaints there.

Frank S. Smith, 18, of Lake Avenue, Perry; Zachary J. Ayres, 18, of Caswell Road, Byron; Thomas E. Hayes, 20, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia; Matthew W. Ianiro, 17, of Elm Street, Le Roy; Maria L. Martinez, 16, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Batavia; and Adrienne S. Bechtold, 16, of Vine Street, Batavia, are all charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Smith is additionally charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of alcohol under age 21. Ayres and Hayes were charged with unlawful possession of alcohol under age 21. The suspects are accused of being inside an apartment on Walnut Street at 11:40 p.m., Tuesday, without permission of the resident, who was not home at the time.

Michael James Mead, 25, of Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Mead is accused of trying to pass a message through a third party to a person protected from contact by a court order.

Samuel Robert Thompson, 57, of Highland Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Monroe County and turned over to Rochester. The reason for the underlying warrant was not released.

Lisa Marie Sequerth, 42, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for an alleged failure to pay a fine. Sequerth appeared in family court on an unrelated matter and was taken into custody for an alleged failure to pay a fine on a case in county court.

Margaret C. Henderson, 59, of Arrington Drive, Selbyville, Delaware, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Henderson was stopped at 7:39 p.m., Tuesday, on Route 20 in Bethany by Sgt. Greg Walker for allegedly driving 100 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Gregory Seppe, 48, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with appearing in public under the influence of narcotics. Seppe was allegedly under the influence of drugs at Prestige Crossing, Batavia, at 11:25 a.m., Aug. 15. Seppe allegedly fell off his bicycle numerous times on a public roadway endangering himself and causing a public annoyance. The case was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker, assisted by Officer Eric Hill.

Tyler Steven Prescott, 16, of Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Prescott is accused of participating in destruction of property at a residence in Pavilion on Aug. 11.

(This photo from the scene was provided from reader Joel R. Murcin.)

A fully involved barn fire "with lots of smoke" is reported in Pavilion at the Schumacher's Kelkenberg's barn, thought to be located at 11338 11304 Starr Road. The location is between River and Hudson roads.

Alexander, Bethany, Town of Batavia's Fast Team, and Pavilion are responding along with units from Wyoming County. They are asked to draw water from Pearl Creek.

Bergen will stand in at Pavilion's fire hall.

UPDATE 8:31 p.m.: National Grid has been notified that there are power lines on the ground and it will respond ASAP.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Fire police are asked to shut down traffic at Route 63 and Starr Road.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: Le Roy Fire Department is also responding as is Caledonia's.

UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: York's pumper is on scene and will be drawing water from the "first hydrant in the village," because getting an adequate water supply to fight the fire is proving problematic. The natural gas line in the barn is shut off.

UPDATE 8:58 p.m.: Monroe County is being notified they are tapping into hyrdrants. The water in the creek is said to be low, yet the amount to be had from the hydrants is also said to be limited. Now, they have enough water flow from the Hanson Aggregates mining facility. "We have plenty of it now." Warsaw crews have arrived.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: The top of a utility pole is on fire, directly across from where firefighters are working. Le Roy's auxiliary is called to provide cold drinks to the firefighters.

UPDATE 9:09 p.m.: They will employ the ladder brought by Warsaw to wipe out fire on one side of the barn, allowing those on the ground using hoses to concentrate on the other areas.

UPDATE 9:22 p.m.: The Town of Batavia's Fast Team is released from duty.

UPDATE 9:28 p.m.: Since the water supply from Hanson's is proving adequate, they are going to shut down the hand lines connected to fire hydrants.

UPDATE 9:58 p.m.: Cold beverages have arrived for the crews.

UPDATE 11:25 p.m. (by Howard): Fire crews are still on scene.The fire is knocked down but tankers continue to bring water to the scene to deal with what's left of the smoldering remains of the barn. Below are more pictures submitted by Joel R. Murcin. I was also out at the scene and will have a report with photos later tonight.

UPDATE 12:21 a.m.: Le Roy units returning to their hall.

Firefighters and equipment from Alexander, Bethany and Darien are heading to Wyoming County to provide mutual aid at a structure fire at 1136 Creek Road in Attica, which is off Lindsey Road.

Drivers beware -- a chihuahua likes to take his siestas in the middle of the road in Bethany. At 4596 Brown Road or close by it. This member of the toy breed must think he's the King of the Road or something.

"(According to the caller) This has been an ongoing thing where the animal will sleep in the roadway and then run away when a vehicle approaches. But the animal is hard to see and he's afraid it's going to get struck," says the dispatcher.

A Sheriff's deputy and/or an animal control officer is responding.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: An officer located the drowsy little brown dog and took it home, to 4586 Brown Road. No one was home so he left his business card.

I've always liked the yellow barn on Transit Road off Route 63 in East Bethany, but I don't think I've ever made a good picture of it. Perhaps this is it.

If you've driven down Transit Road in East Bethany during the past couple of weeks, you might have spotted a dragon rising out of the Earth.

Don't be afraid.

It's the artistic creation of Tom Stringham.

He started the sculpture project in 2000 and worked on it diligently for nearly two years, but then life got in the way of completing the steel and cooper mythical lizard.

A couple of weeks ago, Stringham's father encouraged Tom to get the sculpture out of the barn and put it on display, even though Stringham still needs to complete the dragon's tail.

Asked for the inspiration for the project, Stringham simply said, "it's a doodle."

Stringham and his father own and operate Emerald Models, which makes design prototypes, specializing in production of sculptures for artists and restoration of sculptures. The dragon sits in front of the production facility for Emerald Models.