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Tree and wires down on County Line Road just south of Route 33

By Billie Owens

A tree is reported to be down along with wires which are sparking at County Line Road, just south of Route 33. It's impacting the CSX railroad crossing and they are notified. Darien Fire Department is responding.

Structure fire reported on Pearl Street Road, Corfu

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 2720 Pearl Street Road. Smoke is seen spewing from the right rear apartment. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Alexander, Pembroke and Darien. Town of Batavia Fire Department is requested to stand by in East Pembroke's fire hall and to provide fire police to shut down traffic at Route 33 and Hartshorn Road. Corfu Fire Police are asked to shut down traffic at Route 33 and Read Road.

UPDATE 9:11 p.m.: Crittenden Fire Department is responding to fill in at Corfu's fire hall.

UPDATE 9:18 p.m.: Code Enforcement was contacted and an officer will be responding to the scene in about 10 minutes.

UPDATE 10 p.m.: Alexander, Pembroke and Corfu are all back in service.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: A chief informs us, the apparent cause of the fire is a lamp that fell over onto clothes. East Pembroke went back in service about 20 mintues ago.

Person pointing gun at people in Basom driveway prompts deputies to respond

By Billie Owens

A neighbor reports that a resident of 1805 Judge Road, Basom, is pointing a gun at two people in the driveway at that address. Sheriff's deputies are responding to the "suspicious condition."

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: The situation was resolved without incident. Deputies are back in service.

Jackson Street house surrounded by city police

By Billie Owens

Batavia police have their weapons drawn and a house surrounded on Jackson Street by the Salvation Army and railroad tracks. Unknown situation. A caller earlier reported being downstairs and hearing doors slamming upstairs, although no one should be upstairs. The street is blocked off.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: The occupants who were downstairs are out of the building.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: Howard at the scene says a neighbor there told him that a man who lives in the two-story tan-colored house was bothered by children making noise and distrubing the peace and he threatened to shoot them if they didn't stop the ruckus.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: The county's Emergency Response Team now has the house surrounded.

UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: Statement from Batavia PD Officer Marc Lawrence: "This afternoon around 2:15 we got an initial report of a tenant upstairs threatening harm to his neighbors. Patrols responded to speak the male subject in his approximate 60s, white male; male would not answer the door for patrols. Patrols attempted communication. During the initial contact, patrols had reason to believe that the male may have access to weapsons. That at this point is unconfirmed. We are taking all precautionary measures at this time. Neighboring residents have been evacuated and officers have established a perimeter, attempting to make with subject. Emergency Response Team was notified and responded. We are being assisted by New York State Police, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, and the Genesee County Emergency Management coordinating agency. We will be updating the situation as it progresses. At this point the incident is still under investigation. Charges will be filed as appropriate. We are urging all residents to stay inside and refrain from travelling the area as much as possible."

In response to a question from WTBA, Lawrence said the subject is known to police.

Howard asked if at some point authorities will take action, or will they just wait it out, and Officer Lawrence said: "We are looking to take action, but at this point if we can get in to have any communication, we will wait it out. We are trying to keep this as minimal as possible. We don't want anyone injured."

Lawrence said they did communicate with the man briefly. At one point, the SWAT team moved further away from the house. When asked why, Lawrence said it was because "they were looking to have a negotiator talk, but then all negotiations fell through and they moved that room back to a safe distance."

"...It is our expectation we are going to be here a little while. It could stop now; it could stop three hours from now."

He added that police believe he does have a gun, but they have not confirmed that.

UPDATE 7:04 p.m.: The suspect has been arrested.

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.: About 20 minutes prior to the arrest, a reverse 9-1-1 call went out to residents within at least a quarter-mile of the scene, telling them to shelter in place. The fire department was called in. Crowds which had gathered along Ellicott Street to watch the goings-on where told to move back. An object was seen being thrown up to a window, and Officer Marc Lawrence said that it was a portable phone.

Working house and barn fire on East Shelby Road, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A working house fire is confirmed by a firefighter at the scene, 3039 E. Shelby Road, Oakfield. "He's reporting the barn is now going also," says a dispatcher. All manpower from Oakfield called in, along with mutual aid from Elba and Alabama. Town of Batavia fire is asked to go to the scene with a ladder truck and to fill in at Oakfield's hall. The city's Fast Team is called. The call has gone to a second alarm.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: National Grid is notified. The city's fourth platoon is called to its headquarters.

UPDATE 12:43 p.m.: The rear of the house, which is a mobile home, is damaged but not currently on fire says Howard at the scene. Also, the barn is actually more like a shed or garage.

UPDATE 1:02 pm.: 

UPDATE 1:06 p.m.: Oakfield command reporting the fire is out; checking for extension.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: A man and his wife and baby live here, said the fire chief. They are not injured. Their pet beagle was kenneled next to the garage and when firefighters arrived, one of the firefighters open the pen and let the dog out. The dog ran off and they don't know where he is, but they don't think he'll go far because he was injured last week when he got hit by a car.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: The American Red Cross is contacted to help the family; no ETA.

Grand Jury: Man indicted on three violent felonies for alleged child sex abuse

By Billie Owens

Brandon M. Weig is indicted for the crime of aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 13, 2013, Weig, while at a residence on Bank Street in the City of Batavia, did insert his finger in the vagina of another person, causing physical injury to the person who was less than 11 years old. In count two, the Grand Jury accuses him of the crime of aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly on the same day, at the same address, inserting his finger in the rectum or anus of another person causing physical injury to the person who was less than 11 years old. In count three, Weig is accused of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony, for allegedly being 18 or older and with intent to cause physical injury to a person less that 7 years old, causing such injury to the person.

Lori J. Marchese is indicted for the crime of DWI as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 29, 2014, Marchese drove a 2009 Chevrolet on West Main Street Road (Route 5) while her ability to do so was impaired by drugs. In addition, the DA filed Special Information with the Grand Jury, accusing her of having been convicted of DWI as a Class A misdemeanor on Aug. 25, 2005, in Batavia City Court. That conviction was within 10 years previous to the commission of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Cody D. Cutitta is indicted on seven counts. The first is sealed pending arrest. In count two, Cutitta is accused of the crime of criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 16, 2014, in the Town of Batavia, Cutitta knowingly possessed stolen property to benefit himself or a person other than the owner or to impede the recovery by an owner. The alleged property involved was a credit or debit card. In count three, he is accused of second-degree forgery, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on the same day while at an auto parts store in the City of Batavia, Cutitta, with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, falsely made, completed, or altered a written statement which was purported to be a commercial instrument -- a credit / debit card -- to buy $132.18 worth of auto parts without having the authority to do so. In count four, the Grand Jury accuses Cutitta of second-degree forgery, also a Class D felony, for making an unauthorized purchase of $410.54 worth of auto parts on the same day with the same card. In count five, Cutitta is accused of second-degree forgery, another Class D felony, for buying $82.31 worth of merchandise at Walmart with another person's credit / debit card, without having the authority to do so. In count six, the defendant is accused of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, for using the same card to buy $36 worth of gas at Hess Mart, as well as the other aforementioned purchases. In count seven, Cutitta is accused of second-degree identity theft for allegedly knowingly and with intent to defraud, having assumed the identity of the rightful card holder to unlawfully obtain goods, property or services in an aggregate amount that exceeded $500.

Two-car collision reported at routes 19 and 33, Bergen

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injury is reported at routes 19 and 33. (That's South Lake Road and Clinton Street Road.) Bergen fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: The injury is minor.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: A responder on scene reports the vehicles are blocking traffic.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: A second minor injury is reported.

UPDATE 2:46 p.m.: Medics have arrived.

Grass fire spreading toward barn on Lyman Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A grass fire is reportedly burning its way toward a barn at 6912 Lyman Road. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding. The location is between Coward and Beaver Meadow roads.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: The dispatcher says a small building and several vehicles are now involved in the fire.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: The dispatcher says they are on the phone with "DEC police."

Car vs. motorcycle accident with possible serious injuries on Main Road, Corfu

By Billie Owens

A possible serious-injury accident involving a car and motorcycle is reported in front of Yancey's Fancy/Kutter's Cheese Store, 857 Main Road, Corfu. Mercy Flight is in the air. Pembroke Town Hall parking lot is the landing zone. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. Fire Police are told to shut down westbound traffic at routes 5 and 77.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: Confirmed serious injuries. The car involved is a Dodge Neon. Mercy Flight has a 3-minute ETA. Akron is also "assembling a crew for their end."

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 4:07 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Buffalo hospital.

UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: The motorcyclist suffered a broken arm. A state trooper at the scene told Howard this was a classic case of when looking twice could have avoided an accident. The trooper said the driver of the Neon pulled out of the parking lot of the medical facility across the street, right in front of the motorcyclist, and "never even saw him."

UPDATE 4:39 p.m.: The assignment is back in service and the roadway is being reopened.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: Howard at the scene interviewed accident eyewitness Christopher Macomber, who had just gotten off work from his job at Yancey's. Macomber said the accident was "very shocking" ... "The Neon came right out from the doctor's office and the motorcycle was headed east towards Batavia. He was going I'm guessing 55 miles an hour, if not 60, depends, and he just got launched in the air upon impact. He was pretty banged up. The car pulled right in front of him. It was pretty brutal. It was nasty." ... "I've been in a car accident, but I've never seen one with a motorcycle. I've heard stories about it, but that's about it." ... "The male driver of the Neon -- I honestly don't think he saw him at all, not one little bit. I honestly don't think he looked. I mean, it didn't look like he stopped at all or anything. I think he just pulled right out in front."

UPDATE: The motorcyclist is identified as Timothy Young, 52, of Hopkins Road, Batavia. The driver of the Neon is John Colosanti, 62, of Rundell Road, Alden.

House fire reported on Bridge Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A house fire is reported at 5263 Bridge Road, Elba. The location is between Norton and Transit roads. Elba fire dispatched.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: Bergen, Byron, Oakfield, South Byron and Stafford are called to provide mutual aid at the confirmed working house fire. Town of Batavia is requested to fill in at Elba's hall. Mercy medics are also called in.

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: National Grid advised of the blaze, no ETA provided.

UPDATE 9:25 p.m.: Tankers from Alexander and East Pembroke requested to the scene. At least two of the three tankers called in are filling up at the ARC Center. Howard at the scene reports it is believed that one dog and two cats were on the property. Over the scanner, it is reported that a man is en route to pick up a dog located on Bridge Road. One of the two cats was seen jumping from a window of the burning house. "It is still standing," says Howard of the house, "but it appears to be a total loss. Flames are shooting from the roof."

UPDATE 10 p.m.: The property is owned by Zuber Farms. Firefighters will be there for awhile, doing overhaul. Howard is clearing the scene.

Fire reported near residence on East Road, Town of Batavia

By Billie Owens

An unknown-type fire is reported near a residence at 4596 East Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. The location is between Creek and Putnam roads.

UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: The fire is out. The East Road assignment is in service.

Field on fire off Byron Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A field fire is reported in the area of 6945 Byron Road. The location is between Tower Hill Road and Byron Elba TL Road. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: Fire is out. Byron and South Byron firefighters are back in service.

Three-car crash, blocking traffic, unknown injuries, on West Main Street Road, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A three-vehicle accident, unknown injuries, blocking traffic, is reported at 4028 Main St. Road in front of Dickinson's Auto Services. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: Town chief on scene says crews will need brooms and some "floor dry."

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: Howard at the scene says he was told that a car went to make a left-hand turn; the vehicle behind it stopped to accommodate that, but the third vehicle rear-ended the second vehicle, which, in turn, rear-ended the first vehicle that had attempted to make the turn. No injuries. Scene is now clear. Assignment back in service.

Train vs. truck wreck reported at crossing at Herkimer and Route 77

By Billie Owens

A train vs. truck accident is reported in the railroad right-of-way at Herkimer Road and Alleghany Road (Route 77). Unknown injuries. "The call came from the railroad company and they said they can see mile post 399." Darien fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:57 a.m.: The dispatcher says "The vehicle is unoccupied." A responder at the scene replies "That's confirmed. The vehicle is not occupied."

UPDATE  3:22 a.m.: The actual location is west of Route 77 where Warner Road meets the dead end of Herkimer, according to Howard at the scene.

UPDATE 3:32 a.m. (From Howard at the scene): The fairly new Ford pickup truck, registered to someone in the neighborhood where the accident occurred, was struck after being parked on the train tracks facing eastward. It looks as if some was trying to drive on the tracks. The truck was rear-ended by the train and the back end is mangled, but the cab intact. No one is anywhere around it, although firefighters are scouring the vicinity. The train was hauling 94 railroad cars, unknown cargo, and chugging uphill when it struck the truck, so it wasn't going very fast.

UPDATE 3:40 a.m.: Train officials, firefighters, and Sheriff's deputies remain on scene. The railroad track is still blocked. Deputies are being sent to the registered (truck) owner's home.

UPDATE 3:56 a.m.: Law enforcement asks Darien fire command to stay on scene and "requests that you do not enter the vehicle."

Ninth annual David R. Millis Memorial Golf Tournament set for June 7

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The ninth annual David R. Millis Memorial Golf Tournament will be hosted on Sunday, June 7th, at the Batavia Country Club. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. This tournament is in memory of David Millis who passed away with pancreatic cancer at the early age of 54. Dave was the Superintendent for the Pollution Control Facility in the Village of Albion for 32 years and was an active member of the community.

The cost for a single golfer is $85, which includes, lunch, beverages and dinner. Guests not golfing are also invited to buy dinner-only tickets for $25, and the meal starts at 5:30 p.m. All participants, whether golfing or dining, will be entered into a drawing to win a TV and have the opportunity to buy 50/50 and raffle tickets. The following sponsorships are also available: Corporate, Major, Awards, Lunch Beverage, Longest or Shortest Drive, Closest to the Pin and hole sponsors. We also have several volunteer opportunities available. This tournament features, men and women’s longest drive and closest to the pin and putting contests. There are great raffle prizes, which include local sports tickets, autographed memorabilia, gift certificates and many more items.

Don’t miss your chance to win two-year lease on a 2015 Chevy vehicle and other great hole in one prizes sponsored by Don Davis Chevrolet, Buick, GMC in Albion.The proceeds from the tournament will again benefit the Knights/Kaderli Memorial Fund which is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to assisting local families with their fight against cancer. The money assists with prescriptions, medical insurance, nutritional supplements, hospital beds, and other needs. In the past eight years, this tournament has raised more than $100,600 thanks to the support and generosity of many friends, sponsors and participants.

For questions or more information please e-mail millismemorial@yahoo.com or visit us on www.facebook.com/DavidRMillisMemorial

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