The second driver involved in a head-on collision on Route 19 in Bergen yesterday afternoon has died.
Gary C. Beehler, 82, succumbed to his injuries, the Sheriff's Office reported this morning.
Beehler's 2007 Chrysler Town & Country minivan was struck by a 2014 Toyota RAV4 driven by Caroline F. Bianchi, 74, of Bergen. Bianchi was pronounced dead at the scene.
Previously: Bergen woman dies in collision on Route 19
Cornstalks in a field are reportedly on fire behind 39 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield.
Oakfield fire, which had been assisting with the incident in Alabama, is responding to the field fire.
Mutual aid from Elba requested to the scene.
UPDATE 11:05 a.m. The fire is being driven by the wind toward South Pearl. Responders are looking for best access point. One responder "we can get this."
UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: Elba can go back in service.
UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Elba requested back to the scene emergency mode. There's a flare-up behind a house. "It's getting out of control on us."
UPDATE 11:13 a.m.: A brush truck from Town of Batavia requested to the scene. Also, a local farmer is requested to the scene. "We may have to destroy some of his corn."
UPDATE 11:24 a.m.: "A lot of the fire is knocked down in the field."
A fire is reported at 6442 Knowlesville Road, Alabama.
A second alarm was requested then canceled.
Knowlesville Road is closed to through traffic.
Alabama Fire is on scene.
UPDATE 11:06 a.m.: Fire under control; overhaul in progress.
Byron-Bergen's girls' soccer team came up a goal short in an overtime loss to Geneseo on Wednesday night to miss out on a Section V Class C1 title.
Emma Starowitz scored the Bees' only goal.
Athletic Director Rich Hannan (who submitted the team photo) said, "we couldn't be more proud of them! OT losses always hurt but they stayed positive. A great group of kids."
Also in girls' soccer sectional finals on Wednesday, Le Roy lost to Bath-Haverling 5-1.
A 74-year-old woman from Bergen, Caroline F. Bianchi, died this afternoon following a two-car collision on Route 19 near Creamery Road.
Another person was seriously injured.
The preliminary investigation by the Sheriff's Office indicates that Bianchi was southbound on Route 19 in a 2014 Toyota RAV4 when it traveled over the centerline of North Lake Road and struck a 2007 Chrysler Town & Country minivan driven by Gary C. Beehler, 82, of Hamlin.
The vehicles collided head-on in the northbound lane.
Beehler was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious physical injuries.
Bianchi was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Tom Douglas.
Investigators have yet to determine why Bianchi's vehicle failed to maintain its lane of travel.
The accident is being investigated by Deputy Andrew Mullen, Deputy Jordan Alejandro, Investigator Chad Minuto and members of the Crash Management Team including Sgt. Jason Saile and Deputy Kyle Krzemien. Assisting at the scene were the Town of Bergen Fire Department, Churchville Fire, Mercy EMS, and State Police.
Previously: Accident with entrapment reported on North Lake Road, Bergen
There were no injuries in a two-car accident at 5:35 p.m. at East Avenue and Vine Street, Batavia. A State trooper happened to be in the neighborhood and rolled up on the accident right after it happened.
Neither Sheriff William Sheron nor Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch intends to have their officers knocking on doors of private residences to see if people are violating a Gov. Andrew Cuomo executive order that prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people.
They both do, however, expect people to be reasonable and responsible and avoid large gatherings in response to the uptick of COVID-19 cases locally.
Cuomo's order, in advance of Thanksgiving, a traditional time for extended families to gather together to celebrate the holiday, has drawn criticism throughout the state.
Both Sheron and Heubusch cited the constitutional prohibition against unreasonable searches.
Heubusch said city police officers will respond to complaint calls as normal and conduct any interaction within the requirements of local, state and federal laws.
Sheron was more openly critical of the governor's order, questioning its constitutionality and suggesting Cuomo would better serve the people of New York by encouraging residents to be cautious and use good judgment.
Sheron's statement:
We are not encouraging people to have large gatherings in their homes. I want citizens to use their own best judgment and remain safe. We do not have the resources, nor the inclination, to peep into private residences to see how many people are at the dinner table.
The Executive Order raises serious Constitutional questions. Serious issues about the right of people to privacy in their homes, the right to be free from warrantless searches, the right to assemble, the right to freedom of religious practice, the right to equal treatment under the law, and the right to have criminal conduct clearly defined by law are all implicated by the Governor’s Executive Order.
I think that, rather than issuing orders, which are, at best, impossible to enforce, and, at worst, unconstitutional, the Governor would serve the People of New York better if he used his bully pulpit, not to do more bullying, but rather to encourage our citizens to be cautious, use good judgment in weighing risk factors, protect the vulnerable, and enjoy our families and our great gathering traditions only in ways that are safe until we can get back to normal.
Heubusch's statement:
The City of Batavia and the Batavia Police Department want to remind the public that we are currently living through a global health crisis and ask everyone to do their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. That includes celebrating responsibly with family and friends during this holiday season. We are confident that the residents of the City of Batavia will do your part to keep you, your family and your neighbors safe. The Executive order does not alter any Federal or State laws with reference to search and seizure restrictions, therefore the Police Department will respond to call for service as we have in the past and execute our duties within the bounds of Federal, State, and Local laws. The City Police Department will continue to respond for calls for service in the normal course of business to keep our families and residents safe.
Michael S. Tomaszewski, already facing multiple felony charges for allegedly misappropriating money from customers, has now officially been accused of mishandling the remains of an Army veteran in 2018.
Tomaszewski has been charged with offering a false instrument for filing and also of violation of Public Health Law 4200 for allegedly not burying a dead person's body within a reasonable period of time.
Peter Vandetta, a 20-year Army veteran, died in April 2018. Coroner Jeff McIntire fielded a complaint from the estranged stepdaughter of Vandetta in January 2019 about the whereabouts of Vandetta's remains.
The Sheriff's Office then became involved in the investigation.
It's alleged that Tomaszewski stored the body for 264 days at his facility on West Main Street, Batavia, from April 2018 to January 2019.
Tomaszewski also filed a death certificate indicating the body was buried at a specific cemetery on a specific date. It's alleged that information was not truthful.
The Sheriff's Office said in a release today that Vandetta's remains did subsequently receive a proper burial.
Tomaszewski was issued an appearance ticket for both charges. He is scheduled to appear on the charges in Town of Batavia Court on Dec. 3 and Town of Oakfield Court on Dec. 7.
In June, Tomaszewski was arrested following a lengthy investigation into claims that he was using money paid to him for pre-arrangements for other purposes. He faces more than 100 criminal charges.
Tomaszewski and his company Acme Holdings are in the midst of federal bankruptcy proceedings and his former funeral home property and catering facility are for sale.
Previously:
For the second year in a row, the Le Roy Girls Soccer Team is heading to a sectional championship game after beating Mynderse 5-0.
They'll play #1 seed Bath tonight. Game time is 6 p.m. in Bath.
Maddie Keister scored two goals in the win over Mynderse. Bella Condidorio, Bryn Luckey, and Kailyn Tresco also each scored a goal. Keri Biggins had eight saves.
Also in girls soccer, Byron-Bergen plays for a sectional title at 7:30 p.m. against Geneseo in Avon.
Video by Tim McArdle.
The Notre Dame Girls Soccer Team will play for a sectional title tomorrow night for the first time in program history.
Last night, the Fighting Irish beat Andover 3-0. Sky Colontonio, Emma Sisson, and Arabella Rogers each scored goals. Goalkeeper Rebecka Nickerson had seven saves.
The team plays Jasper-Troupsburg at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia.
Photo and info provided by Jarrod Clark.
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in Batavia is holding a free coat giveaway until 2 p.m. at its location at 5073 Clinton Street Road. There are also canned vegetables and hats available.
In the first 90 minutes of the giveaway this morning, people picked up more than 100 coats.
Photo: Walt Almeter, Darlene Almeter and Ariana Green are ready to hand out more coats today.
Christina Tresco shared this photo of a tree down in her backyard on Elmwood Avenue in Batavia after yesterday's windstorm.
A Rochester man swept up in a drug bust on Liberty Street in March that led to the arrest of himself and four other people, along with the seizure of 56 bags of crack cocaine, avoided further jail time in his sentencing today in Genesee County Court.
Marquise Lee, 36, had been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance third, a drug-dealing charge.
After his guilty plea over the summer, he was placed on interim probation. His success in that program, along with ongoing employment in his father's construction business, and his care for his children during their in-home studies during the coronavirus pandemic helped nudge Judge Charles Zambito toward a probationary sentence.
First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell asked the judge to follow the Probation Department's recommendation and give Lee six months in the Genesee County jail.
The ongoing pandemic also seemed to factor into Zambito's decision.
"Quite honestly, I have to be careful about who I put in jail here these days," Zambito said. "It shouldn't sway the decision. It shouldn't be that way but I guess I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and give you a chance to prove you deserve probation.
"I remember you told me before that you didn't sell drugs, that you were just there and you didn't know what was going on," Zambito added. "That doesn't make sense to me. You admitted it (when Lee pled guilty). I hope you are helping out with your wife and kids and doing whatever you can to lead a law-abiding life. You don't need to be in jail but we don't need you selling drugs."
Lee was adjudicated a second felony-offender because of a 2017 DWI conviction.
As part of his plea deal, Lee agreed to forfeit $659 in cash recovered at the crime scene. The money will go to the Sheriff's asset forfeiture fund.
On his five-probation sentence, Lee was given credit for the seven months he served on interim probation. He also previously served 31 days in jail on the charge.
He was also ordered to have no communication with his codefendants, Angela R. Bateman, Nikki L. Stonebraker, Joseph T. Burr, Derek E. Wilcox.
"You're not to be around them," Zambito said. "They will only get you into trouble."
At the end of the sentencing, Zambito transferred Lee's case to the Monroe County Probation Department.
Owner Kathy Ferrara now expects to keep Batavia's Original closed through Thursday, opening again on Friday.
Ferrara said closing the extra days -- she originally anticipated closing only for a weekend -- is a matter of extra precaution.
Five employees tested positive for coronavirus, with all the cases contracted away from the workplace, and multiple employees were placed on mandatory quarantine. That created an immediate staffing problem for Ferrara.
She said in an email today that all employees who tested positive are recovering nicely and that the Health Department is conducting contact tracing.
Batavia's Original will reopen on Friday, she said.
Press release from AAA:
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.13, up 2 cents from one week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.60. The New York State average is $2.23 – up 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the New York State average was $2.69.
AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
- Batavia -- $2.19 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Buffalo -- $2.20 (up 2 cents since last week)
- Ithaca -- $2.19 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Rochester -- $2.23 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Rome -- $2.31 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Syracuse -- $2.15 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Watertown -- $2.28 (no change since last week)
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by two cents in the past week, though it is still significantly cheaper than last year (-47 cents). In a report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased while total domestic stocks decreased leading to that national average increase.
However, EIA’s weekly demand estimate is lower than last year’s rate at this time. Low overall demand will likely contribute to pump prices remaining low this season.
Domestic crude prices are fluctuating amid rising coronavirus infections worldwide, which could reduce global crude demand as countries impose new restrictions meant to stop the spread of the virus.
From GasBuddy:
"For the first time in seven weeks, GasBuddy data showed average gas prices rose last week, unsurprising given the previous 18-percent jump in the price of crude oil on promising vaccine news," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "This year has been anything but normal and such news of promising vaccine results will likely rekindle gas prices for a short while.
We're likely to see prices inch up slightly again this week as gas stations continue to try to pass along the rise from last week to retail, but ahead of Thanksgiving, prices should be mostly stable. For now, motorists shouldn't expect too many fireworks at the pump, but the upcoming release of GasBuddy's Holiday Travel survey highlights some big changes motorists are making for the last six weeks of the year."
Drone shots of yesterday's field fire by Glenn Adams.
Previously: Cornfield fire reported off Creek Road in Bethany
Enough players showed up at Williams Park in Batavia this afternoon for an eight-team informal flag football tournament.
When Natalie Cervone's boyfriend first proposed that she become the owner and operator of her own hair salon, Great Kutz in Valu Plaza, she resisted the idea.
Her boyfriend, Ryan Pyatt, is a local entrepreneur -- a real estate agent and owner of WNY Powerwash. He's always looking for business opportunities. He saw that Great Kutz was for sale and suggested Cervone seize the day and go into business for herself.
The more she thought about it, though, the more it made sense. She could walk into an established business doing what she already knew how to do.
"I’ve been in small salons the past eight years," Cervone said. "This is the biggest place I’ve been in and I’m loving it so far"
Great Kutz was opened in 2009 by Byron and Chris Ariyaratnam to primarily provide haircuts and stylings to a walk-in clientele. Cervone said the shop will continue to serve those who prefer walk-ins to appointments but she is looking to focus more on appointments, more coloring, and more specialized service.
"We want the girls building up their clientele because they’re all very talented," Cervone said.
Currently, there are six stylists working at Great Kutz with a seventh joining the crew in December.
Great Kutz is located at 4152 W. Main St. Phone is (585) 201-7070.
Bryn Luckey became Le Roy's all-time leading scorer in girls soccer last Saturday and she was honored last night at home before the Knights' quarterfinal sectional game against Waterloo in Class B2.
Luckey's road to 80:
Le Roy beat Waterloo 5-0 to advance to the semifinals.
Photo and information submitted by Tim McArdle.
This is "So Beautifully" written by John Del Plato and recently recorded by Sage Melcher and The Laura Dubin Trio of Rochester. Carmen Del Plato said The Laura Dubin Trio is a regular performer regularly performs at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
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