corfu

For local Dunkin' Donut franchisee Mike Mikolajczyk, he thinks he's found the perfect location to open up a second shop, but the problem is, for the second time, land-use planners disagree.

In September of last year, the City Planning Board listened to objections raised by nearby residents and rejected a plan for a donut shop on West Main Street on a small lot between Five Star Bank and Barrett's Batavia Marine.

Mikolajczyk and his architect presented a new plan that they hope addresses traffic flow concerns to the Genesee County Planning Board, but the board voted to recommend disapproval of the site plan.

That doesn't kill the project. The City Planning Board can still approve the plan with a majority-plus-one vote.

The revised plan, said architect Kip Finley (photo), would allow for eight cars in queue before backing up into the parking lot, and the parking lot could accommodate an additional five cars before they would start backing up onto West Main. 

Mikolajczyk's existing Dunkin franchise location, on West Main and Ellicott Avenue, captures mostly westbound commuter traffic in the morning. The proposed new location, said Finley, would help the small business owner capture more business from eastbound commuters.

With the recommended disapproval, it's back to the drawing board, Mikolajczyk said, to try and come up with a project that planners will favor. It's important enough to him, he said, to keep trying.

"It's a good location for the type of business we are," Mikolajczyk said. "That's the best location. I don't want to do a location just for the sake of putting another one in, another Dunkin' in. I want to make sure I have the right location."

Other County Planning Board recommendations:

• Approval of an area variance for a new barn in the front yard of 10528 Pavilion Center Road. The proposed barn meets setback requirements, but the Town of Pavilion's zoning code doesn't permit front yard accessory buildings. County planners said the proposed barn is not likely to have significant community-wide or local impacts and there are other properties in the area with front yard accessory buildings;
• Approval with modifications for a special use permit for a restaurant as an accessory business to proposed hotel at 7758 E. Main Road, Le Roy. Planners want to see more parking for the business;
• Approval for a solar array at 6332 Byron Holley Road, Byron;
• Disapproval of a proposed subdivision for a 17-lot subdivision on Fieldcrest Drive, Corfu. Planners found the proposed subdivision plans do not comply with existing code because of a lack of detail in the plans. Planners also expressed concern about the lack of protection for federally identified wetlands on lots 9, 10, 16 and 17;
• Tabled consideration of a variance for fence height at 8903 Route 237, Stafford. Planners were concerned about the lack of detail. The application lacked plans and pictures. Property owner James Pontillo said he turned in all of the required documents to the Town of Stafford. If he did, the documents were not forwarded to the County Planning Department. Pontillo said he would have his attorney provide the materials by the board's next meeting.

Established in 1993, the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer National Conference for Educators brings hundreds of middle, high school and community college teachers to Washington, D.C., each summer to train them in effectively teaching the Holocaust to their students. Pembroke Central School teacher Justin Loeber will be able to bring that training into the classroom this school year.

Loeber, of Silver Springs, was one of more than 200 participants who attended the 19th annual Arthur and Rochelle Belfer National Conference for Educators. The three-day teachers' workshop is hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in mid-July.

The Museum gives participants a chance to interact with its scholars and educators to reinforce their understanding of Holocaust history. Additionally, educators are given the tools to figure out successful strategies in bringing the lessons of the Holocaust to their classrooms.

The conference, funded in part by the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Foundation, is a vital part of the Museum’s ongoing effort to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively bring Holocaust education to their students. 

“In the face of rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial, educating students about this history is becoming increasingly urgent,” said Peter Fredlake, director of the Museum’s teacher education and special programs. “As the global leader in Holocaust education, the Museum works to ensure teachers have the training and resources they need to introduce their students to this important and complex history — and show them how its lessons remain relevant to all citizens today.”

Every year, the Museum trains hundreds of teachers through training programs held in Washington and around the country. It provides these teachers with advanced tools and teaching materials for students of history, English, social studies, language arts, library science, journalism and more.

At the conference, the participants teamed up with Museum educators and scholars in sharing rationales, strategies and approaches for teaching about the Holocaust, Nazi propaganda and antisemitism. Media, such as literature, survivor testimony and diaries that the Museum provides are just some of the tools made available to the teachers. 

Participants also toured the Museum’s permanent exhibition, as well as the special exhibitions Some Were Neighbors: Collaboration & Complicity in the Holocaust; Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story; and From Memory to Action: Meeting the Challenge of Genocide.

Additionally, they heard from Holocaust survivor and Museum volunteer Henry Greenbaum. Greenbaum survived the Auschwitz Buna-Monowitz subcamp and a death march to Dachau before being liberated by U.S. soldiers in April 1945.

Once the participants completed the program, they received a set of educational materials and a $100 voucher for Holocaust-related materials in the Museum shop. The Museum’s Web site provides resources at no cost to educators, including a range of online training modules, exemplary lesson plans and extensive historical information about the Holocaust.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a living memorial to the Holocaust. The goal of the Museum is to inspire citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit  www.ushmm.org.

Smoke is reported in an apartment at 53 W. Main St., the Corfu Meadow Apartments, #111. The city's Fast Team is called to respond along with Mercy medics and volunteer fire departments in Corfu, Indian Falls, Darien, East Pembroke and Pembroke.

UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: A responder from Corfu command on scene reports smoke showing. The building is being evacuated. The call has gone to a second alarm.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: The city's fourth platoon is called to headquarters.

UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: Corfu command cancels response from Darien, Pembroke and Indian Falls.

UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: Units not already at the scene can go back in service per Corfu command.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Corfu assignment back in service.

(Photo: Tyler Tomasik, right, with friends Chad Buziak, Alyssa Kranz and Katailyn Armstrong.)

A rope rescue is needed for a man who jumped off the north bank of Indian Falls behind the Log Cabin Restaurant. People there are unable to get him out. His unjuries are unknown. He is conscious and alert. The location is 1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments, Mercy medics and the Rope Rescue Team are called to the scene.

UPDATE 4 p.m.: The male is a teenager who was rescued by his best friend and transported by Mercy medics to UMMC for evaluation at the request of his parents. He had no complaints of aches or pains.

UPDATE 4:18: The rescuer is 19-year-old Lancaster resident Tyler Tomasik. Here's what he told Howard at the scene: "We were just walking down by the water. He slipped in. Had to save him. We were right underneath the falls. Like there's a cliff where you drop off and we were underneath it, like watching the falls, and he slipped on this wet rock and just went under. I didn't know what to do. I tried grabbing a stick to pull him out. That didn't work so I just reached my arm in and grabbed him. I just kept reaching in."

Asked about whether they had jumped off the falls, he said they have heard about it but had not done so. But when his friend just slipped into the water it was "a little scary."

Once out of the water, his friend hugged him and told him he loved him and said "thanks." Tyler told him "That's what friends are for. You gotta stick up for each other."

A report by Genesee Justice that Hannah E. Dibble tested positive for alcohol has led to her release under supervision being revoked. The 22-year-old Pembroke resident is accused of driving drunk the night in February she was involved in an accident that claimed the life of a friend, 18-year-old Corfu resident Alyson D. Krzanak.

Judge Robert Noonan ordered Dibble held on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Attorney Ben Bonarigo argued that Dibble deserved a chance to remain out of jail, but under house arrest, until she could be placed in a treatment program on Friday. He conceded that Dibble, inexperienced with the criminal justice system, was in a difficult transition to its strictures. 

Noonan expressed concern that if Dibble couldn't obey a court order, in this case by drinking, then he lacked confidence she could be trusted to make future court appearances.

On July 24, Dibble pled not guilty to an 11-count Grand Jury indictment that included: one count of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree; two counts of vehicular assault in the first degree; three counts of assault in the second degree; three counts of vehicular assault in the second degree; and two counts of DWI.

James Scherer, 21, Brandon Danser, 22, and Felecia J. Fazzio, 20, all suffered serious physical injuries in the Feb. 21 collision wherein the 1997 Chevrolet Geo she was driving crossed Route 20 at Molasses Hill Road, Bethany, and was struck by a semi-truck.

(File photo of Hannah E. Dibble)

Jenea M. Macleod, 31, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver. Richard T. Garlock, 33, of Newstead, is also charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. The subjects were pulled over by Deputy Joseph Corona for a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Bergen when they were allegedly found to be in possession of heroin, crack cocaine, hypodermic needles and items associated with the use of the controlled substances. Macleod was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. Garlock was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail. 

Herbert C. Smith, 52, of Rochester, is charged with burglary, 3rd, and petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia and was allegedly banned from the store due to a previous incident. He was put in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Tacalla N. White, 42, from Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal trespass, 3rd. Linda M. Floyd, 48, and Tamara Rouse, 22, both from Rochester, are also charged with petit larceny. The subjects are accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia. White was allegedly previously banned from Walmart.

Virginia E. Glazier, 29, of Caswell Road, Byron, and Teryl A. Havel, 55, from Tennessee, are charged with petit larceny after they allegedly stole corn from a roadside crop stand on Batavia Elba Townline Road. Glazier and Havel are accused of taking corn without paying from an unattended farmer's produce stand, which uses the honor system for depositing payments. 

Christina R. Keels, 29, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, following an investigation into a domestic incident that happened on Judge Road. Keels allegedly hit a motor vehicle several times with a metal garden rake causing damage to the windshield and hood.

James P. Belliveau, 53, of Lockport, is charged with aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or greater, DWI, and failure to keep right following a traffic stop by Deputy Chad Cummings on Alleghany Road in Alabama.

Michael R. McNamara, 34, of Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI and failure to keep right. State police pulled over McNarmara for a traffic stop on Sumner Road in Darien.

Demetrius A. Gibson, 38, of Rochester, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, unlicensed operation and tinted windows. State police pulled over Gibson for a traffic stop on Main Street in Batavia.

Robert L. Williams Jr., 24, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by the City of Batavia Police Department. Williams allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled court date. 

Anthony M. Rodriguez, 22, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Rodriguez was allegedly found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana in a parking lot during the Incubus concert at Darien Lake.

Paul Trowbridge with his 1969 Brockway truck at the annual antique truck show at the Stafford Fire Hall.

Trowbridge, a somewhat-retired farmer from Corfu, purchased the truck new for his farm in Corfu in 1969 and has owned it ever since. Brockway was a Cortland-based truck company. It's now out of business. Trowbridge said he bought it specifically because he wanted a truck built in New York.

The show continues on Sunday.

  Hannah Dibble

A Pembroke woman who was reportedly behind the wheel of a 1997 Chevrolet Geo in February when it crossed Route 20 at Molasses Hill Road, Bethany, and was struck by a semi-truck has been indicted by a grand jury on a count of manslaughter in the second degree.

Hannah E. Dibble, 22, appeared in Genesee County Court today to be charged under the 11-count indictment, where she pled not guilty and was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Her friend, Alyson D. Krzanak, 18, of Corfu, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Suffering serious physical injuries in the collision Feb. 21 were James Scherer, 21, Brandon Danser, 22, and Felecia J. Fazzio, 20.

Dibble was also indicted on counts of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular assault in the first degree, three counts of assault in the second degree, three counts of vehicular assault in the second degree, and two counts of DWI.

After an appointment in Darien, I headed down Fargo Road and spotted this barn.

Tyler J. Long, 20, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana following an underage drinking investigation in the Town of Sheldon. Long allegedly was drinking alcohol in a concert parking lot when deputies found him to be in possession of Ecstasy, Adderall and marijuana.

Matthew D. Schwartz, 23, and Victoria L. Brown, 19, of Bergen, are charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, a class A misdemeanor. State troopers responded to a residence within a trailer park on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, for a report of criminal mischief. After an investigation, troopers found there were orders of protection in place prohibiting contact between the two. Schwartz and Brown were put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Katherine J. Vail, of Fitch Street, Churchville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to stop  at a stop sign, speeding and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Following a traffic stop on Parkview Drive in Bergen, Deputy Joseph Corona allegedly found Vail in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

A 17-year-old male from Rochester was found to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana following a traffic stop. Officer Michael Petritz pulled over the male for speeding and no right on red on Route 77 in Corfu. The male was issued tickets and an appearance ticket.

The Wyoming County Sheriff's Department responded to a two-car accident with entrapment on Route 238 in Attica on July 5. All the occupants were removed from the vehicles and treated before deputies arrived. Following an investigation, Russell Irwin, of Batavia, was allegedly found to be following too closely behind David Snyder. Sndyer was making a right turn into a driveway when Irwin struck him. Irwin was issued a citation.

A Rochester-area man who authorities have identified as a member of the Hell's Angels and whose criminal activity gives him ties to Genesee County entered a guilty plea in Federal District Court yesterday to being an accessory after the fact to an assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

Timothy M. Stone, 35, of Gates, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

Stone first made news locally as part of a five-man operation caught by deputies allegedly stealing scrap metal from Ed Arnold Scrap Processors in Corfu.

He is identified by authorities as an associate of James Henry McAuley Jr. (aka "Mitch"), reputedly a Hell's Angels leader. McAuley was reportedly married to Donna L. Boon (aka Donna L. McAuley). Boon, of Batavia, was originally identified as a suspect in a meth ring headed by Donald G. Vanelli, reportedly a one-time president of the Road Agents Motorcycle Club. Vanelli is currently in federal prison as a result of his arrest in a joint FBI and Local Drug Task Force investigation into the meth trade in and around Batavia in July 2009.

Stone's guilty plea stems from his participation in an assault at Spenders Bar, in Rochester, on May 31, 2006. A patron was assaulted with a baseball bat. Federal authorities say Stone was aware that Spenders had video surveillance equipment and that the assault was recorded and stored on a computer. In the early morning hours of June 2, 20016, Stone forcibly removed the hard drive and took it from the bar. He later destroyed the hard drive and baseball bat in order to hinder the police investigation. 

In all, 10 members of the Hell's Angels were indicted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for WNY. Members and associates were charged with a variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, racketeering and accessory offenses. To date, two other defendants – Richard E. Riedman and Paul Griffin – have been convicted of narcotics conspiracy charges. McAuley, Robert W. Moran Jr., and Gina Tata have charges pending stemming from the alleged assault at Spenders Bar.

Prosecution of the scrap metal heist was handled by federal authorities and the defendants were convicted.

Robert P. Nowak, 58 of Pembroke, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Nowak's wife reportedly called 9-1-1 during a domestic dispute Saturday. State Police responded and Nowak allegedly locked the doors and refused to come out. Troopers set up a perimeter with the assistance  of the Sheriff's deputies and Corfu PD. Nowak was taken into custody without any injuries. State Police said alcohol was a factor in the incident.

Kenneth M. Gray, 23, no permanent address, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Gray was allegedly in possession of a vehicle reported stolen in the City of Batavia on June 29. Le Roy PD observed the vehicle being operated in the village and initiated a traffic stop. 

Bradley W. Achman, 19, of Elma, is charged with trespassing. Achman allegedly entered private property to gain access to a concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Lonnie Ford III, 44, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with loitering. Officers Kevin DeFelice and Marc Lawrence were on Hutchins Street investigating an incident when Ford was observed walking down the middle of the street toward the officers. According to Police, Ford's actions (the actions are not specified in the press release) prevented the officers from exercising their duties. Ford was issued an appearance ticket.

Steven F. Marra, 22, of Gabbey Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate headlamps. Marra was stopped at 2:52 a.m. on State Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

A car has struck a house at 1993 Genesee St. (Route 33), near the intersection of Angling Road, in Corfu.

The house has been evacuated.

Unknown injuries. No word yet on the scope of the damage to the house.

Corfu fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 7:46 a.m.: One minor injury reported.

UPDATE 7:54 a.m.: A zoning officer is in route.

I stopped in the office of Ed Arnold Scrap Processors this afternoon to drop something off and found I'd arrived just in time to see Daniel Orr, of East Pembroke, pick up his new Vizio 48-inch smart TV, which he won in a drawing held Saturday.

It was pretty easy, Orr said, "all I had to do was fill out a piece of paper."

Pictured: Brent Arnold, Ed Arnold Sr., Orr, and Ed Arnold Jr.

Nateeka M. Gibson, 26, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson is accused of stealing a bottle of liquor from West Main Wine and Spirits at 4:31 p.m., May 17. Gibson was identified as the suspect after a surveillance photo appeared on The Batavian.

Wendy Sue Pritchard, 39, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Pritchard allegedly committed thefts from Walmart twice in one day, Thursday, totalling $1,343 in value. She was jailed on $1,000 bail. Also arrested and jailed on $1,000 bail on the same charge was Warren Thomas Cotton, 38, of Minneck Road, Lockport.

Heidi Lynn Harder, 40, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Harder allegedly stole property from Walmart with a value of $695 on Thursday.

Jocelyn T. Carson, 24, of Rodney Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with confinement of a companion animal in a vehicle during extreme temperature. Carson allegedly left a dog in a vehicle for at least an hour with no water around 6 p.m., June 20, at 9993 Alleghany Road, Darien.

Jonathan David Knauss, 21, of Depot Street, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny, operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, no front license plate, unlawful removal of registration plate and driving without insurance. Knauss allegedly stole a license plate from a vehicle and affixed it to another vehicle. He was stopped at 2:41 a.m. Sunday on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Andrew Ziemba Perdock, 28, of Dowd Road, Fillmore, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's Department Store. Also arrested was Scott Logan Marsh, 19, of Main Street, Mount Morris. Perdock was also charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing from Dick's Sporting Goods.

A 17-year-old of Holland Avenue (name withheld by Batavia PD) was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear and to abide by a release under supervision contract. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Scout A. Marble, 20, of Birchwood Drive, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd chage.

Christopher G. Landry, 41, of Howell Road, Fairport, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Landry alleged violated a complete stay away order by sending text messages to the protected party.

James A. Mitchell, 37, of Center Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mitchell is accused of stealing cash from his employer, The Little Ridge Restaurant.

Darrell Smith, 48, of La Salle Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal possession of stolen property. Smith was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Nina M. Kelso, 31, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a failure to care for an animal case.

Joseph Antwon Fletcher, 18, of South Main Street, Mount Morris, is charged with violation of probation. Fletcher was arrested on warrants.

Tonya L. Buzzell, 32, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and disorderly conduct. Buzzell allegedly refused to leave a residence on Ellicott Street at 11:28 p.m., Friday.

Jesse A. Russell, 25, of Basom, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, operating while registration suspended, unlicensed operator, inadequate muffler and unlawful possession of marijuana. Russell was stopped by a trooper on Route 33, Batavia.

Call coming in at a location on Main Road, Corfu, between Church Street and Slusser Road, of a possible explosion. East Pembroke fire along with Corfu are dispatched.

UPDATE: Report of a small campfire, nothing major.