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Bethany

Big rig and box truck collide on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer and box truck collision is reported in Bethany at 6071 Ellicott Street Road. Minor injuries. The northbound land is completely blocked and  there is a lot of debris across both lanes of traffic; southbound is partially blocked.

The road will be shut down. The tractor-trailer will be require a heavy wrecker for removal; the box truck is towable.

The location is between East and Transit roads. Law enforcement is to respond non-emergency mode. Bethany and Stafford fire departments are called to the scene along with Mercy medics.

Faulty equipment at substation blamed for yesterday's power outage

By Howard B. Owens

Statement from David Bertola, spokesman for National Grid in WNY, about yesterday's power outage:

A faulty piece of equipment that caused a Le Roy area substation to fail yesterday at around 9:08 a.m.
As a result, around 5,500 customers lost power. Around 5,000 of those customers had power restored by 2 p.m.

The remaining were restored by around midnight.

East Bethany girls donate 154 blankets to Wings Flights of Hope

By Howard B. Owens

Macey and Preslee Blecha of East Bethany collected a total of 154 blankets for Wings Flights of Hope.

The blankets will be used to comfort patients as they fly for medical treatments or appointments. Accepting the donation are Joe and Diane DeMarco, founders of Wings Flights of Hope.

Law and Order: Jackson Street man accused of strangulation jailed without bail

By Billie Owens

Jeremy M. Fairbanks, 41, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree strangulation. Fairbanks was arrested following an investigation into a domestic dispute that occurred at 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 13 on Jackson Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court at 3:03 p.m. on Dec. 18 and jailed without bail. He was due to return to court on Dec. 19. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan.

Edward G. Ruckdeschel, 57, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with: unauthorized use of a vehicle in the second degree; grand larceny in the fourth degree; and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. Ruckdeschel was arrested following an investigation into a stolen vehicle complaint made at 4:47 a.m. on Dec. 7. It is alleged that the defendant stole a vehicle from a parking lot of a business in the city. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and jailed without bail. He will return to court at a later date (unspecified). The case was investigated by Batavia Police Sgt. Matthew Lutey, assisted by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

David Michael Martin, 59, of Scott Crescent Drive, Scottsville, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. At 4:10 p.m. on Dec. 22, Martin was arrested following an investigation into a larceny complaint (unspecified). Martin was arraigned in Batavia City Court at 7:30 p.m. the same day, then released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on Jan. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jared Swimline.

Matthew Jacob Reid, 25, of Main Street, Warsaw, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; and unable to maintain lane. Reid was arrested following an investigation of a possible medical complaint reported at 12:27 a.m. on Oct. 12 on March Road in Bethany. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Bethany Town Court on Jan. 7. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Jamie Valerie Hart, 21, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; unlawful possession of marijuana; and speed exceeding 55 mph. On Dec. 21 at 3:57 p.m. Hart was arrested on Clinton Street Road in Byron. The defendant was released on appearance tickets and is due in Byron Town Court on Jan. 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

Girls from East Bethany collecting blankets for patients of Wings Flights of Hope

By Howard B. Owens
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Macy and Preslee Blecha are collecting blankets for Christmas to give to patients who fly with Wings Flights of Hope. Their mother, Rachel Blecha, said, "They want to make patients feel more comfortable on their flight.

There is a drop-off Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Alexander Elementary School.

You can also drop off new blankets at Three Little Birds Pediatrics on Ellicott Street and Jody Lynn Salon VIP, or mail blankets to Macy and Presley at 4577 Conway Road, East Bethany.

Law and order: Maple Street mom accused of resisting arrest, endangering her children, harassment and criminal contempt

By Billie Owens

Amanda M. Webb, 30, of Maple Street, Batavia, was charged on Nov. 3 with: resisting arrest; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child less than 17; criminal contempt in the first degree -- physical contact; and two counts of second-degree harassment -- physical contact; and third-degree criminal mischief. At 11:01 a.m. on Nov. 3, Webb was arrested following a traffic stop on Bank Street in Batavia. She allegedly violated a stay away order of protection and hit the protected party. Then Webb allegedly physically resisted officers during her arrest while her two children were in the vehicle. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court, jailed without bail and was due back in court on Nov. 4. That's when the third-degree criminal mischief charge was added following an investigation of an incident that took place at 11:40 a.m. on Nov. 1 outside a residence on Wood Street in the city. Webb was due in Batavia City Court Nov. 8 in that matter (which also includes one of the two second-degree harassment charges). The cases were handled by Batavia police officers Joshua Girvin, Arick Perkins, Jordan McGinnis and Wesley Rissinger. 

Lawrence A. Guy, 43, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree attempted assault and fourth-degree criminal mischief. Guy was arrested at 1:17 a.m. Nov. 11 following a domestic dispute. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in Genesee County Jail without bail. He is due to return to city court on Nov. 14. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan and Officer Adam Tucker.

Charles L. Stiles, 44, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with third degree assault and criminal mischief. He was arrested at 8 p.m. on Oct. 19 following q domestic dispute. He was arraigned Oct. 20 in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $1,000 cash or bond. He was due to return to court Oct. 21. The case was handled by Bataiva Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Sean Wilson.

Eric J. McGill, 36, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with second-degree menacing and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. He is accused of using a baseball bat to menace a person on Hutchins Place in Batavia. He was arrested at 2:34 p.m. on Nov. 5, arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $2,500 cash or bond. McGill was due to return to city court Nov. 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Joshua A. Aughenbaugh, 25, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree and driving while intoxicated. He was arrested at 2:12 a.m. Nov. 10 on Ross Street in Batavia. He was released to a sober third party and is due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Aaron David Mee, 56, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree and trespass. Mee was arrested at 3:52 p.m. Nov. 5 in the 8900 block of Alexander Road (Route 98) in Batavia following the investigation of a trepass complaint. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 25. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon, assisted by Deputy Eric Meyer.

Salvatore M. Tornabene, 27, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. At 3:14 p.m. on Nov. 11 Tornabene was arrested for violating an order of protection. He is accused of being at the residence of a protected party on Ross Street in Batavia at 2:54 p.m. on Nov. 11. He was released with an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court today (Nov. 12). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Devon A. Wright, 18, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Wright was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court Nov. 10 after a complaint alleging the violation of an order of protection at 8:16 p.m. on Nov. 5 on Harvester Avenue. Wright was due in city court today (Nov. 12) to answer the charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Derrick Roy Kio, 28, or Minard Road, Portageville, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at 4:50 p.m. on Nov. 9 for allegedly violating a court order of protection on Oct. 8 on West Main Street Road in Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 14. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

Robert Leon Murray, 43, of Bay Lane, Cheektowaga, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Murray was arrested for allegedly having third-party contact with a protected person at 4:24 p.m. on Sept. 10 on Sumner Road in Darien, in violation of an order of protection. He is due in Darien Town Court on Nov. 19. The  case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Frank James Capen, 27, of Church Street, Medina, is charged with petit larceny and sixth-degree conspiracy. He was arrested Nov. 10 following the investigation of a larceny at Kohl's department store in Batavia at 4:55 p.m. on Sept. 8. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Brabon.

Jakob M. Kosiorek, 26, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 3:34 p.m. on Nov. 6 following a shoplifting investigation at a business on East Main Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia City Court today (Nov. 12). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Morgan Lee Cox, 27, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with tampering with physical evidence and promoting prison contraband in the second degree. Following an investigation at the Genesee County Jail, Cox was arrested at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4. He allegedly possessed contraband inside the jail and attempted to conceal it from jail staff. He was due in Batavia City Court Nov. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Benjamin Santiago Jr., 30, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband in the second degree. On Nov. 4, following an investigation at the Genesee County Jail, Santiago was arrested at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4. He was due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Scott Eric Hodgins, 55, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of contraband while in prison. On Nov. 4, following an investigation of drug paraphernalia located in the Genesee County Jail, Hodgins was arrested at 5:04 p.m. on Nov. 4. He was issued an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Rebecca S. Kepner, 36, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear after an appearance ticket was served. She was arrested at 6:57 a.m. on Nov. 9 at her residence on Bank Street and released on her own recognizance. She was due in Batavia City Court today (Nov. 12). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Devon Paul Leach, 25, of Torrey Road, Bethany, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree. Leach was arrested following a traffic stop at 12:56 a.m. on Nov. 6 on East Main Street in Batavia. Leach was released on an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia Cioty Court today (Nov. 12). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Video: Bethany man full of life after receiving heart pump implant

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor

Wayne Walker, now a Batavia resident after spending much of his life in Bethany, is an Army and Air Force veteran, a volunteer firefighter, a member of the American Legion, and, most proudly, a member of the Genesee County Honor Guard.

He's also alive today because of modern medical care. A heart pump now does about 80 percent of the work of circulating the blood through his body because his heart was no longer up to the task.

Walker received his heart pump at Rochester General Hospital on March 5 and received follow-up care at Unity and at United Memorial Medical Center.

Yesterday, Walker received a surprise reception at RGH to honor his commitment to recovery and to his community.

Lost kitty found at Suicide Corners

By Billie Owens

Reader Marcy Ewell wrote us this morning about the adorable black kitten in Bethany and said:

"Found this morning by the side of the road near (Route) 20 and East Road (Suicide Corners). Has collar with bell. Checked with houses and farm near intersection -- no one claimed it was theirs. Very cuddly and was very hungry.

"Please text 585-813-1025 if you know or are the owner."

Total of 21 GC volunteer firefighters trained for traffic management and/or highway safety

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

Emergency services responders assist in ensuring that the scene of an incident remains safe for firefighters, emergency service workers, and members of the public working in its vicinity as well as protecting bystanders and crowd control at emergencies. Duties include traffic control at fires, car crashes, mass casualty incidents (MCI) emergencies, drills and other fire department operations.

Instruction focusing on responsibilities for maintaining highway safety was presented in a two-part program at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. Twenty-two area volunteers completed the Traffic Incident Management (TIMS) training held on Sept. 7 and 18 area volunteers completed the Highway Safety for Emergency Responders (HS-ER) on Sept. 21.

A total of 21 of the 22 volunteer firefighters who took part in either one or both parts of the training program were from Genesee County. They are listed below.

BERGEN

  • Tina M. Carson (TIMS), (HS-ER)

BETHANY

  • Lyle M. Boundy (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Carl L. Hyde Jr. (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Scott D. Thurley (TIMS)
  • William J. Thurley (TIMS), (HS-ER)

BYRON

  • Cory J. Russell (TIMS), (HS-ER)

DARIEN

  • Joe N. Marino (TIMS),(HS-ER)
  • David N. McGreevy (TIMS), (HS-ER)

EAST PEMBROKE 

  • Matthew N. Allen (TIMS)
  • Samantha M. Cavalieri (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Eric C. Holderle (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • David A. Martin (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Adam W. Pearce (TIMS), (HS-ER)

SOUTH BYRON 

  • Nicole M. Boldt (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Chase A. Cone (TIMS),(HS-ER)
  • Allison N. Gurgel (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Andrew L. Konieczny (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Vito J. Muoio (TIMS), (HS-ER)
  • Jacob T. Yasses (TIMS), (HS-ER)

STAFFORD

  • Samantha S. Call (TIMS) 
  • Stephanie E. Call (TIMS)

Total of 52 GC volunteer firefighters complete annual foam training for vapor suppression ops

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Annual Foam Training was held for members of fire departments in Genesee and Orleans counties, with three-hour classroom sessions held in each of the counties followed up with a three-hour hands-on session held on Sept. 30 at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. 

The annual foam training centered on terminology related to firefighter suppression foam, application techniques, equipment, calculations used in accordance with NFPA 11 and water supply to perform foam firefighting or vapor suppression operations.

The 52 Genesee County participants were:  

ALABAMA

  • Sidney Eick
  • Gary Patnode
  • Michelle Patnode
  • Bill Schutt
  • Ryan Thompson
  • Todd Thompson

BATAVIA, TOWN 

  • Bill Allen
  • Paul Barrett
  • Russell Borden
  • James Bouton
  • Josh Boyle
  • Dan Coffey
  • Paul Dibble
  • Gary Diegelman
  • Scott Garlock
  • Tom Garlock
  • Clayton Gorski
  • Stephen Kowalcyk
  • Bryan Moscicki
  • Scott Newman
  • Ian Sanfratello
  • Rich Schildwaster
  • Tyler Stewart
  • Chris Strathearn
  • Conor Wilkes

BETHANY

  • Dan Adams
  • James Duval
  • Jamie Fluker
  • Jeff Fluker
  • Gregory Johnson
  • Kyle Rombout

BYRON

  • Zachery Johnson
  • Robert Mruczek
  • Cory Russell
  • Jacob Schultz

CORFU

  • Lori Ann Santini
  • Brian Schollard

DARIEN 

  • Jeff Luker

ELBA

  • Ryan Hart
  • Christopher Lane
  • Michael Pfendler
  • Michael Schad Jr.
  • George Underhill

INDIAN FALLS 

  • Edwin Mileham

SOUTH BYRON 

  • Aaron Belluscio
  • Nicole Boldt
  • Chase Cone
  • Allison Gurgel
  • Vito Muoio
  • Jacob Yasses

STAFFORD

  • Julie Bobo
  • Stephanie Call

Two dozen GC fire volunteers learn 'fireground strategies and tactics'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Responding to concerns over the length of firefighting training programs, the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control has redesigned the Fire Officer I (FOI) program into five individual modules. Completion of all five modules will earn the participant a Fire Officer 1 certificate. 

The latest offering in the Fire Officer program held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center was "Fireground Strategies and Tactics for the First Arriving Companies." 

The Fireground Strategies and Tactics course prepares fire officers to act as the leader of a company or as an initial incident commander. The students received instructions in both fire and non-fire emergency operations with an emphasis on risk vs. benefit analysis while conducting operations.

The fifteen-hour module was completed by 26 volunteer fire personnel, nine of whom earned their Fire Office 1 certification. 

The 24 Genesee County participants were:

ALEXANDER

  • Anthony R. Johnston (FOI)

TOWN OF BATAVIA

  • Russell S. Borden
  • Bryan A. Moscicki
  • Ian A. Sanfratello
  • Tyler J. Stewart

BETHANY

  • Gregory W. Johnson (FOI)
  • Peggy J. Johnson             
  • Rick J. Klunder III (FOI)
  • Christopher M. Page (FOI)
  • Corrie A. Rombaut             

BYRON

  • Victor L. Flanagan (FOI)

CORFU

  • Dean T. Eck (FOI)
  • Daniel P. Smith (FOI)

ELBA 

  • Jennifer A. Cardinali             
  • Timothy J. Hoffarth             
  • Christopher P. Lane             
  • Michael Pfendler  (FOI)
  • Michael J. Schad (FOI)
  • George M. Underhill             

LE ROY

  • Jared Chick
  • Thomas Feeley

SOUTH BYRON 

  • Nicole M. Boldt
  • Chase A. Cone
  • Vito J. Muoio

Visit your local fire department to find out more about volunteer opportunities.

Photos: Scenic shots in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

Out and about in Bethany and Stafford today, I snapped a couple of scenic shots.

Above, an outbuilding that is starting to fall down from Transit Road near East Bethany Le Roy Road. Below, a barn on Route 5 across the street from the Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant. Both shots are in Stafford.

Nearly $8.5K raised at Lei-Ti campground to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and information:

This year the Lei-Ti Campground & Recreational Community's annual Labor Day Auction benefitted Genesee Cancer Assistance.

A total of $8,400 was raised and donated to the nonprofit Genesee Cancer Assistance Inc.

There were 110 gift cards donated by local businesses, and 239 baskets donated by campers. They also had eight large ticket items for the auction.

Lei-Ti is located at 9979 Francis Road in the Town of Bethany (its mailing address is in Batavia).

Sponsored Post: Reliant Real Estate has hot new listings to show you

By Lisa Ace


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Call Lynn Bezon today & list your property with Reliant Real Estate!

Creek Road Bridge in Bethany open to both lanes of traffic again on Wednesday

By Billie Owens
Important Notice

 

Creek Road Bridge will be reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 14th to both lanes of traffic.

For the past two weeks, there was a single lane closure on Creek Road at the intersection of Cook Road in Bethany for painting the bridge over the Little Tonawanda Creek.

County Highway Department

Rollover accident reported on Paul Road in Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 5589 Paul Road, Bethany. 

The driver is reportedly out of the vehicle and walking around but may have suffered a head injury.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:59 a.m.: A first responder on scene reports a car is off the road in a field, overturned. Patient is conscious and alert, with minor abrasions on his head.

UPDATE 12:34 p.m.: The male driver is being transported to UMMC. He is complaining of a stabbing feeling of pain in his neck. His vehicle rolled several times. He did not lose consciousness and self-extricated from the accident.

Sponsored Post: New Listing Alert: 10362 Tapp Road & 3374 Church Street

By Lisa Ace


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This home has two large first floor bedrooms as well as first floor bath and laundry for those that don't do stairs real well! There is an oversized bedroom upstairs -- perfect for large bedroom or rec room.

Fully enclosed front porch area that adds a lot of additional space perfect for all your extras -- coats, shoes, pantry, etc. Home has attached garage and nice yard, off the beaten path definitely worth a look. Priced below assessment and priced to sell. Click here for more information on this listing.

New Listing; 3374 Church St., Alexander: Look no further, this home checks all the boxes! 3 Bedroom, bath and a half ranch on great village street. Updated, neutral and clean with awesome attic and basement space if you really want to expand your space!

This home is great and definitely should be seen. Easy to get into at anytime, just call! Click here for more information on this listing. Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today and list with us!

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