Stories from

A farm field in Elba.  Photo by Bryan Gubb.

Jeffrey D. Hall, 38, of Batavia, is charged with sex abuse 1st (contact by forcible compulsion). Hall is accused of grabbing a Door Dash employee, forcing her to touch his intimate parts, at 11:48 p.m., May 24, at a location on Ross Street, Batavia.  Hall was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Tarrell Jerry Carter, 37, of Raines Park, Rochester, is charged with strangulation 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and assault 3rd. Carter is accused of punching and choking a victim during an argument at 11:15 p.m., July 3, at a location on West Main Street, Le Roy. He was arrested by Officer Curtis Miller, arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court, and ordered held at the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Brandon Dodd, 35, of Highland Drive, Batavia, is charged wit falsifying business records 1st, criminal possession of stolen property 5th, and petit larceny. Dodd is accused of stealing merchandise from Kohl's Department Store and then selling the merchandise to Pawn King, falsifying a bill of sale attesting to ownership of the property. Dodd was issued an appearance ticket. The case was investigated by Investigator Erik Andre and Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Tonja Marie Stephens, 54, of Prole Road, Stafford, is charged with violation of a court order. Stephens is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection at 9 a.m., June 29, at a location on Prole Road, Stafford. She was arraigned in Town of Stafford Court and released on her own recognizance.

Joseph Michael Morelli, 53, Orchard Street, Oakfield, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child.  Morelli is accused of striking a child in the face at 7:43 p.m., June 26, at a location on Orchard Street, Oakfield. He was ordered to appear in court on July 22.

Dennis James Jenks, 23, of West Albion Street, Holley, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Jenks is accused of physically and verbally impeding an investigation into a DWI at 11:34 p.m., June 30, on Byron Holly Road, Byron. He was arrested by Deputy David Moore and released on an appearance ticket.

Elizabeth Emily Ahl, 28, of Park Meadow Road, West Seneca, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding not reasonable and prudent, moving from lane unsafely. Ahl was arrested by Deputy David Moore following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported at 3:42 a.m., July 2, at mile marker 3.4 on the I-490 in Bergen. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Cordero Leon Royes, 35, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI. Royes is suspected of driving at speeds in excess of 120 mph on Route 33 through the Village of Corfu and Town of Pembroke at 9:58 p.m., July 5. She was arrested by Deputy Nicholas Chmoun and Sgt. Kyle Krzemien and released on an appearance ticket.

Adam N. Hume, 38, of Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Hume was stopped by a Batavia patrol officer at 12:15 a.m., June 24, on West Main Street, Batavia.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Latoya D. Jackson, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd.  Jackson is accused of violating an order of protection at 8:58 p.m., June 29, at a location on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Andrew J. Draper, 43, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Draper was allegedly with a person covered by an order of protection at 10 a.m., June 25, when Batavia PD made contact with him at a location on East Main Street on an unrelated matter.  He was issued an appearance ticket. 

Andrew J. Draper, 43, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Draper is accused of stealing two rings from another person and selling them without permission on June 23. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Tammy M. Ace, 47, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Ace is accused of dumping bleach on another person's belongings at 11:26 a.m., June 15, at a location on Holland Avenue, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Michael W. Williams, 63, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.  Williams was stopped by a Batavia patrol officer at 8:19 p.m., June 17, at a location on East Main Street, after a complaint from a local business that Williams might be driving drunk. Williams was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian J. Ferguson, 35, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, failure to signal lane change, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, inadequate headlights, and insufficient tail lamps. Ferguson was stopped by Officer Freeman at 12:13 a.m., June 11, on East Main Street.  Ferguson was released on an appearance ticket.

Oraid M. Blackshear-Edwards, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd. Blackshear-Edwards was allegedly found sleeping inside a residence in South Main Street at 7:58 a.m., June 19, that was not his own. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Matthew D. Derrick, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Derrick is accused of violating an order of protection by contacting another person on social media. at 4:28 p.m., June 17. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Julie L. Dutton, 27, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Dutton is accused of stealing two alcoholic beverages from a local grocery store on Ellicott Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Christine M. Caplis, 41, of Batavia, is accused of failure to appear on a bench warrant. Caplis was arrested on a warrant stemming from an incident on Nov. 4.

Jarrod K. Fotiathis, 27, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Fotiathis is accused of kicking in a door, and damaging the door and frame, at 4:34 a.m., June 27, at a location on Lake Street, Le Roy. He was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court, issued an order of protection, and released until his next court appearance on July 21.

Ronald J. Maxwell, 53, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Maxwell was stopped by State Police in the Town of Le Roy at 4:12 p.m., July 3. He was issued an appearance ticket.

State Police have identified the man killed in yesterday's motorcycle crash in Bethany as Nicholas Keiffer, 26, of Medina.

Troopers have released no further information about the crash.

According to statements by officials at the scene yesterday at Route 63 and Fargo Road, the motorcycle driver was on a "crotch rocket" and was observed speeding by a Genesee County deputy sheriff on Route 5, heading west. 

The officer attempted a traffic stop, Chief Deputy Joseph Graff said, but the rider failed to yield to an emergency vehicle. The pursuit continued to southbound Route 63, where the deputy lost sight of the bike and broke off his pursuit. 

The deputy continued southbound and within minutes spotted evidence of a crash and found the motorcycle behind a hedge row in a farm field off the east side of Fargo Road.

At the scene, tire ruts were clearly visible in the grass where the motorcycle left the roadway of Route 63 on the south shoulder and according to a statement by one of the investigators, likely went airborne when the bike hit the asphalt of Fargo Road.

According to scanner traffic during the incident, a deputy attempted CPR at the scene.  Keiffer was pronounced dead at the crash site.

Because the incident involved a deputy, the crash investigation was turned over to State Police.

Previously: Fatal motorcycle accident reported on Route 63 at Fargo Road

UPDATE:  Statement from Batavia PD: "Tyler Gulisano has been located. The Batavia Police Department would like to thank everyone who provided assistance."

Tyler Gulisano of Batavia is missing and was last seen on July 6 in the early morning hours after leaving the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo.

A family member received a call from him at about 12:45 p.m. while he was at Seneca Texas Red Hots in Buffalo.

He may have been in an altered mental state, so there is concern for his well-being.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Officer Josh Girvin or the on-duty supervisor at the Batavia Police Department, without delay, at (585) 345-6350.

A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at Route 63 and Fargo Road, Bethany.

The accident seems to have occurred moments after a deputy reported losing sight of a "crotch-rocket" that he had been pursuing. The deputy reported backing off the pursuit before the accident was discovered.

UPDATE 7:03 p.m.: Bethany Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.  Mercy Flight is on ground standby.

UPDATE 8:40 p.m.: Chief Deputy Joseph Graff confirmed that the motorcycle rider died at the scene. A deputy had spotted a motorcycle speeding westbound on Route 5, and attempted a traffic stop. The motorcyclist failed to yield to emergency lights. The deputy continued to follow the speeding bike southbound on Route 63 and lost sight of it shortly after. He discontinued the pursuit. A short time later, while continuing southbound, he came upon the accident scene.

Based on observations at the scene, the motorcycle left the roadway of Route 63 at Fargo Road, digging ruts in the grass before hitting the asphalt of Fargo Road, and becoming airborne. The motorcycle came to rest behind a hedge row in a field on the east side of Fargo Road. According to scanner reports, CPR was attempted. The accident scene investigation is being turned over to State Police.

Photo by Howard Owens.

A barn fire with flames showing is reported at 7000 Park Avenue, Oakfield, between Judge Road and Seneca Street.

Oakfield Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m.: Alabama, Elba, East Pembroke, and City of Batavia Fast Team requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: City Fire's second platoon requested to headquarters.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: East Pembroke can go back in service. Elba staging at the scene.

Photo by Joanne Meiser.

Following a collision with a tractor-trailer, a car careened into the woods, according to at least one caller into emergency dispatch in the area of mile marker 380.1 in the eastbound lane of the Thruway.

Unknown injuries.

The location is four-tenths of a mile east of the West Bergen Road overpass.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 5:38 p.m.: A first responder reports, one vehicle to check out, no tractor-trailer involved.

More sites from Saturday's Ramble Music & Arts Festival in Downtown Batavia.

See also:

• Ramble mixes art, dance, music, food and people for winning recipe Saturday
• Time for some music, pedestrian-friendly fare and a visit during Batavia Ramble

Top photo: Bill Macdonald playing with Beethoven's Dream Group

Photos by Howard Owens.

Kay Macdonald with Beethoven's Dream Group

Crimson Crossroads

Crimson Crossroads

High Pines

High Pines

The Remediators

The Mighty Zep -- in the form of tribute band Get the Led Out -- landed hard and loud -- just the way Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham should be represented -- at Batavia Downs on Friday.

A capacity crowd rocked right along with a full set of Led Zeppelin classics. 

Get the Led Out -- a six-piece group -- provides faithful renditions of Zeppelin studio-recorded hits as fans have known them through the eras of vinyl LPs, 8-track and cassette tapes, CDs, and streaming.  GTLO is Paul Sinclair, Paul Hammond, Tommy Zamp, Phil D'Agostino, Adam Ferraioli, and Eddie Kurek.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Submitted by Joanne Meiser

Press release:

Today, Mario Fratto’s campaign announced the endorsements of three county-level endorsements by the Conservative Party: Genesee, Ontario, and Seneca.

Genesee County Conservative Chair Julie Ann Bolas-Carasone said:

Let’s show everyone that the establishment politicians, that ignore us, and don’t work for us, will not be voted for. We need real leaders and that is Mario!

Mario made the following statement:

I am so grateful and honored to receive these Conservative endorsements. I am the only candidate who is from this district, and actually has skin in the game. I am raising my family here, and almost everybody I love and care about calls this district home. Claudia Tenney isn’t from here, and supports amnesty, Red Flag laws, overseas wars, and the woke transgender agenda. We won’t allow the corporate elites to buy this election, just to install another career politician. The people are waking up, and we refuse to be ruled by DC insiders. The establishment has failed us for far too long, and now their time is up!

Mario Fratto’s family has been in the district for five generations. He is an attorney and runs his family’s granite construction business. He is the only true America First conservative in the race and more information can be found at marioforcongress.com. 

A motor vehicle accident with entrapment is reported in the area of 3919 Lockport Road, Elba.

One vehicle is off the roadway.

Elba Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. Oakfield Fire and Town of Batavia Fire requested to assist.

Mercy Flight dispatched.

Lockport Road is closed between Fisher Road and Route 98.

James N. Johnson, 54, of Conkey Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and open alcohol container; Agnes M. Baugh, 22, of Curlew Road, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal possession of a weapon 4th; and Maurice D. Bishop, 36, of Rauber Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th.  On June 29, Sgt. Mathew Clor located a disabled black Honda Civic on Clinton Street Road, Stafford. The registration matched a vehicle reportedly stolen during a strong-arm robbery early in the morning of June 28. Deputy David Moore arrived on scene and assisted Sgt. Clor in detaining Johnson.  Two crack pipes were reportedly recovered in the vehicle with drug residue in the pipes. Baugh allegedly possessed a pair of brass knuckles.

Carlos Torres, 47, of Champlain Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI-drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and unlicensed operator.  Torres was arrested on a warrant, arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court, and released on his own recognizance. 

Andrew Joseph Draper, 43, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Draper is accused of shoplifting from Walmart on June 26.  He was booked at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Andrew Joseph Draper, 43, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Draper is accused of contacting a person he was ordered not to contact at 7:31 a.m., June 26. Draper was issued an appearance ticket.

Crystal Ann Mounts, 45, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mounts is accused of stealing from Walmart at 7:23 a.m., June 26. She was issued an appearance ticket.

A shed fire is reported at 6410 Freeman Road, Byron.

Byron, South Byron, and Stafford fire departments are dispatched.

Chris Blossom has sold his business, West Main Wine & Spirits to T.J. Woodward.

Blossom provided this message for the community:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Batavia community and the surrounding areas for supporting our business for the past 13 years.   I could not have done it without the support of my family, friends, amazing staff and especially our loyal customers of West Main Wine and Spirits. 

I would like to wish the new ownership all the best.  The store may be under new ownership, but you will still see familiar faces.

I couldn’t have had the success that I did without all of you.  It has been fun, challenging and more than I could have ever dreamed possible.  I have built friendships with customers and sales reps that I will always cherish.

A special thank you to my wife for her support behind the scenes and all staff members past and present.  I will forever have fond memories of being a business owner in Batavia!

Thank you!  Wishing you all health and happiness!

Chris Blossom

A motor vehicle accident with injuries, and is blocking, is reported at 390 West Main St., Batavia, in front of Tops.

There are multiple calls.  Some are reporting one vehicle, some reporting multiple accidents at that location. 

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: There is entrapment.  Town of Batavia is requested to Station #1 to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: Le Roy Ambulance Service also requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:37 a.m.: It appears that a Ford sedan was westbound on West Main Street and crossed over the center line at Lewiston at a potentially high rate of speed, and struck a white Jeep ahead of it at Lewiston and West Main streets. Heavy damage to both vehicles.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: State Police are investigating the accident and do not have enough information yet to say exactly what happened, Zone Sergeant Ben Fasano said. There were two people in each vehicle, all with serious injuries. Three people were transported by ground ambulance to Erie County Medical Center and one person by Mercy Flight to ECMC. One person had life-threatening injuries, and Fasano was uncertain which way -- by ground or Mercy Flight -- that person was transported.  Lewiston between West Main and Park Road is closed until further notice.

UPDATE 4:57 p.m.: Further information provided by Sgt. Fasano:

A preliminary investigation indicates the white vehicle was on SR-63 southbound, stopped at the light in the far left lane.  The black vehicle was eastbound on SR-5, crossed the center line, went across both westbound lanes of travel and struck the white vehicle.

None of the involved parties are considered to have life-threatening injuries.