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Oakfield

Oakfield woman accused of stealing teen's bike so she could play Pokemon Go

By Howard B. Owens

A 26-year-old woman who lives on Garibaldi Avenue in Oakfield is charged with petit theft after allegedly stealing a bicycle so she could ride it and get around faster to play Pokemon Go.

Pokemon Go is the new mobile app game that has exploded in popularity in the past week that calls on players -- called trainers -- to travel around, usually by walking, and capturing, fictional creatures called "Pokemon" that appear on your smartphone screen at various physical locations.

Brandi-Lyn Heidenreich allegedly stole the bike from a 13-year-old after he parked it momentarily behind a business on Main Street in Oakfield to visit his mother who was at work.

The suspect was located because the bike was later found at her house and she was found walking in the area.

The bike was returned to the 13-year-old and his mother. 

Heidenreich is due in Oakfield Town Court on Aug. 8 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Robert Henning, assisted by Deputy Christopher Parker.

County planners OK STAMP access roads, Oakfield's 'smart' plan

By Mike Pettinella

The Genesee County Economic Development Center's proposal to create access roads to alleviate traffic on Town of Alabama roads in preparation for the arrival of 1366 Technologies was met with approval Thursday night by the Genesee County Planning Board.

County planners, at their monthly meeting at County Building 2, voted in favor of the construction of two access roads on the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in a single recommendation, ruling that the roads -- one running from Route 77 to Crosby Road and the other running from Crosby Road to the 1366 Technologies solar wafer manufacturing facility's property line -- pose no significant countywide or inter-community impact.

The board was concerned, however, about the possibility of traffic having to stop and lining up on Route 77, a major highway that runs to the NYS Thruway interchange in Pembroke.

Mark Masse, GCEDC's senior vice president of operations, said the plan to divert major construction traffic down these access roads, with turning lanes at the main entrance, is subject to approval by the state Department of Transportation. Masse noted that the DOT currently is reviewing a permit application from the GCEDC.

"We are looking to put in the two roads and reinforce and widen a section of Crosby Road," Masse said. "We're also proposing a left-hand turn off of Route 77 onto the STAMP site, but nothing can be done until DOT approves it."

The GCEDC proposal also must go before the Town of Alabama Planning Board.

The Massachusetts-based 1366 Technologies will be the first tenant at STAMP, taking up about 105 of the 1,250 acres available for development.

The county Planning Board welcomed a request from the entire Village of Oakfield to implement comprehensive plan updates, zoning text and map amendments in line with recommendations of the Green Genesee Smart Genesee project, and to write form-based codes for a portion of the village.

The board's approval came with wording that the village's plan represents "a large step forward for land use policy and regulations" and its form-based code governing future development will "respect the traditional character of the downtown and that of the surrounding residences."

County Planning Director Felipe Oltramari went even further, stating that Oakfield's strategy is on the "cutting edge" and he wished that "everybody in Genesee County adopt something like this." He said Oakfield's model is not quite complete as officials "are tweaking it" to meet the village's specific needs.

In other action, the board:

-- Approved, with modifications, a request from Oakfield Hospitality, LLC, (the Patel family from Erie, Pa.) for variances for a freestanding sign area, number of signs and building height for a proposed Fairfield Inn & Suites to be built on Federal Drive in the Gateway I Corporate Park off Route 98 near the Thruway interchange.

The board voted to allow two signs on the four-story, 62-room hotel, not four as requested. After discussion, Sean Hopkins, a Williamsville attorney representing the Patels, revised the request to three signs, but the board opted to allow signs on the east and south sides only.

Planners did not object to a freestanding sign area of 147 square feet, which is more than the 100-square-foot maximum allowed, or to the 51-foot proposed height of the building, which is 11 feet higher than allowed. Since county planners can only recommend, the final decision on the number of signs is in the hands of the Town of Batavia Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

-- Approved an update to the Town of Bethany's comprehensive plan, which also is deemed to be "in harmony" with the County Smart Growth Plan and Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. The board wrote that Bethany's plan addresses timely issues, including renewable energy.

-- Approved exterior changes, specifically a patio, at City Slickers Bar & Grill at 59 Main St., Batavia; two wall signs at Restore, 230 Ellicott St., and a 3,000-square-foot additon to the Genesee ARC recycling center at 3785 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

-- Approved, with modifications, a sign permit fot a 126-square-foot window sign requested by Victor Marchese, owner of Main Street Pizza, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, stating that the window size is significantly more than the City's 25-percent maximum standard, which, in this case, would be 31.5 square feet.

Hells Angel leader from Oakfield given 25 years in federal prison for meth distribution

By Howard B. Owens

An Oakfield resident who was reportedly a high-ranking member of the Hells Angels has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his part in a methamphetamine distribution ring.

James Heney "Mitch" McAuley Jr., 67, also will be barred from associating with members of the Hells Angels for five years upon his release from prison.

McAuley had previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Federal investigators say McAuley, a vice president of the Rochester chapter of the Hells Angels, was a leader role in a distribution ring that obtained meth from a source in California and had it shipped to New York for sale in Rochester.

The operation continued from at least 2002 through July 2010, with McAuley running it even after he was taken into custody on a racketeering charge in 2007.

Richard W. Mar, 64, president of the Monterey chapter of the Hells Angels, provided the McAuley and his co-conspirators with the meth.

The co-conspirators included: McAuley's wife, Donna Boon, 50; Richard Riedman, 42, of Webster; Gordon Montgomery, 57, of Batavia; Jeffrey A. Tyler, 51, of Rochester; and Paul Griffin, 62, of Blasdell. 

All have also entered guilty pleas to various related charges. 

Boon received three years probation and 12 months of home incarceration. 

Monterey chaper President Mar is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 16.

Authorities also tied McAuley to a baseball attack on a patron in a Rochester bar and a subsequent attempt to cover up the crime.

Robert W. "Bugsy" Moran, 61, of Rochester, entered a guilty plea in February to conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. 

Gina Tata, 52, of Rochester, pled guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the conspiracy and was given three years probation.

Timothy M. Stone, 36, of Gates, entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Caller reports cat may have been shot by BB gun

By Howard B. Owens

An animal control officer has been dispatched to Sunrise Parkway in Oakfield, where a caller reports a cat may have been shot by a BB gun.

The caller does not have the cat.

No suspect information available.

UPDATE 11:53 a.m.: The animal control officer has spoken with the caller and provided advice on how to catch the cat. The officer had been unable to catch the cat to determine its injuries, if any.

Law and Order: Rochester man jailed without bail after caught driving with license allegedly suspended 19 times

By Billie Owens

Travail L. Madison, pictured left, 24, of Merlin Street, Rochester, is charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and unlicensed operator. At 8:10 a.m. on June 30, Madison was operating a motor vehicle on Ellicott Street without a driver's license. A subsequent computer check revealed that his driving privilege has allegedly been suspended 19 times on 10 different dates. He was jailed without bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Daniel Coffey.

Calvin L. Mosher, 38, of Maple Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; speeding (53 mph in 40-mph zone); unsafe start; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Mosher was stopped at 12:30 p.m. on Alleghany Road in Alabama for vehicle and traffic violations. The defendant was subsequently found to be operating a vehicle while his ability to do so was allegedly impaired by suspected illicit drugs. Mosher was allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of suspected LSD and marijuana. He was issued traffic summons and appearance tickets and directed to be in Town of Alabama Court on July 9. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Patrick Reeves, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Nicholas D. Martino, 35, of Main Street, Alexander, is charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operator. He was arrested at 6:12 p.m. on Bank Street in Batavia following a traffic stop. He was allegedly driving a silver van while his driver's license was suspended. He was jailed in lieu of $2,500 cash or bond and was due in court on June 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Christopher Camp. 

Eric Richard McWethy, 20, Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, and having only one plate displayed on his vehicle, which was obstructed. He was arrested at 7:40 p.m. July 1 on Main Street, in Oakfield, after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana following a traffic stop. He was stopped for allegedly failing to display a properly affixed rear axle plate to the vehicle he was operating. He was released on appearance tickets returnable to Town of Oakfield Court on July 25. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

Genesee Community College names 314 students to Spring 2016 dean’s list

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College, including all seven campus locations in Batavia, Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw, proudly announces the following are among 314 full- and part-time students who were named to the dean's list for the Spring 2016 semester. Students honored on the dean's list have earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

This year's Genesee Community College Spring 2016 dean's list honorees, with their hometowns, are:

Heather Bombard, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Heather Volpe, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Amber Hutchings, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Jessica Caryl, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Jennifer Piazza, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Matthew Bridger, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

McKenna Ford, a resident of Alexander, NY 14005

Andrea Pugliese, a resident of Darien Center, NY 14040

Branden Riggs, a resident of Alexander, NY 14005

Richard Gutowski, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Alyssa Baiocco, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Chelsea Bishop, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Matthew Dobbertin, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Christen Ferraro, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Emma Francis, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Zachary Hoy, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Nathaniel Kabel, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

John LaFarnara, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Tayler Mitchell, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Carly Scott, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Natalie Sharpe, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Valerie Stephens, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Brandon Corcoran, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Rachel Cosimeno, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Courtney Fisher, a resident of Batavia, NY 14021

Kristy Gallo, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Bailey Paserk, a resident of Batavia, NY 14021

Katelyn Richenberg, a resident of Stafford, NY 14143

Maria Ross, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Julie Cultrara, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Alison Diskin, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Emily Reese, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Philip Vigneri, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Kyle Dougherty, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Abigail Noeth, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Kyley Pascarella, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Lauren Hughes, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Sheena Mest, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Nathan Reiner, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Sierra Bosdyk, a resident of Pavilion, NY 14525

Dawn Wylie, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Zachary Franclemont, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Zoey Ransom, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Adam Sewar, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Carley Sformo, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Kodian Becker, a resident of Darien Center, NY 14040

Sarah Wolcott, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Evan Cole, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Melissa Engle, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Scott Ligon, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Patrick Delude, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Michele Mandel, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

Wade Webster, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Samuel Freeman, a resident of Darien Center, NY 14040

Jessica Bonin, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

James Hamler, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Brooke Ortiz, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Alex Brownlie, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

Kasey Edgerton, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Aspen Moyer, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Mia Velletta, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Michelle Rushok, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Todd Schrauger Jr, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Veronica Rizzo, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Gina Johnson, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Stephen Coast, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

Laurie Yaskulski, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Sarah Corcimiglia, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Elisabeth Haas, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

The College also maintains President's and Provost's Lists comprised of students who earned quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better. These other GCC honorees are announced separately. Go to the College's website at www.genesee.edu.

Genesee Community College offers over 65 academic programs and certificates, including the new Nanotechnology AAS, which studies on a microscopic scale and atomic level leading to jobs in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and also careers in burgeoning photovoltaics.

Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as through its online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes, yet state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high-tech" and "high-touch." The 2016 semester begins Aug. 22.

For further information about all of GCC's opportunities, go to www.genesee.edu.

Nine local students honored for dean's list achievement at Daemen College

By Billie Owens

Daemen College Dean Michael Brogan, Ed.D., announces the following students achieved dean's list status at Daemen College for the Spring 2015 semester.

* Sarah Loranty, of Alexander
* Nicole Fore, of Batavia 
* Erik Moscicki, of Batavia
* Patrick Wrobel, of Batavia
* Adam Siedlecki, of Batavia
* Katrina Stork, of Batavia 
* Emily Graham, of Le Roy 
* Allison Bartholomew, of Oakfield
* Morgan Zakes, of Oakfield

A matriculated undergraduate student who attains a grade-point average of 3.30 or better in any one semester is eligible for dean's list status.

Law and Order: Homeless Batavia man faces multiple counts of possessing stolen property, allegedly taken from vehicles throughout the city

By Billie Owens

Andrew L. Kosiorek, 44, no permanent address, Batavia, was arrested at 1:46 a.m. on June 20 as the result of an investigation into suspicious activity (an individual looking into vehicles) in the area of Ross Street, Manhattan Avenue, and Farwell Drive. He is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, and jailed on $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. He was scheduled for City Court on June 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Eric Foels. The defendant subsequently received an additional count of criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, after another victim reported that property was stolen from her vehicle on Ross Street in the city. In this count, Kosiorek allegedly possessed perfume and grooming products belonging to the victim. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court on June 28. He is currently incarcerated in Genesee County Jail on similar charges. He was previously arrested after allegedly being found in possession of a large amount of property that had been stolen from several vehicles throughout the city overnight. The latest case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison. In another arrest report, he is charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property after allegedly being found on Elm Street in possession of multiple stolen items. That case was handled by Officer Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Thad Mart.

Paula G. Pierce, 24, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested following an incident at 3:30 p.m. on June 23 in which she allegedly forcefully pulled a 9-year-old child from a vehicle parked on Wood Street. She allegedly did so because of comments the 9-year-old reportedly made toward her child. She is due in City Court on July 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

David M. Ross, 47, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and second-degree harassment. Ross was arrested following a dispute over the ownership of a vehicle. At 2:06 p.m. on June 20, Ross allegedly physically removed the victim from the vehicle and damaged a window in the process. He was arraigned in City Court June 21, then released. The case was handled by Batavia Police Sgt. Dan Coffey, assisted by Officer Jason Ivison.

Daniel Wayne King, 23, Nickolas Andrew Marotta, 19, Kyle Lee-Maddison Michaels, 18, Madison Alyssa Scheuerlein, 18, all of Batavia, and 18-year-old Salvatore Michael Schwable, of Oakfield, were arrested at 3:30 a.m. on June 25 following the investigation of a trespassing complaint at the Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany. They were all allegedly trespassing on the grounds of the asylum. They were issued appearance tickets for Town of Bethany Court on July 19. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Chad P. Cummings and Deputy Eric J. Meyer.

Joshua Herman Worrells, 29, of Dewey Avenue, Rochester, is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated, failure to stop at a stop sign, and moving from lane unsafely. At 1:54 a.m. on June 26, Worrells was stopped on Sumner Road in Darien for allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign and moving from the lane unsafely. Following an investigation, the defendant was arrested for driving while intoxicated and for allegedly operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher, in addition to the traffic violations. He was released on appearance tickets for Town of Darien Court on July 12. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young, assisted by Deputy Jason Saile.

Andrei P. Sliker, 25, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. He had an active warrant out of the City of Batavia for failing to appear on vehicle and traffic law violations. On June 21, he was observed by Officer James DeFreze on Ellicott Street and taken into custody without incident, at which time he was allegedly found to be in possession of a hypodermic needle. While at BPD Headquarters, he was also allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance. Silker was arrested on the new charges at 10:59 a.m. He was jailed on the bench warrant in lieu of $300 bail. He is scheduled to be in City Court on July 21. The case was handled by Officer DeFreze, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Shawn M. Twardowski, 33, no permanent address, Batavia, is charged with trespass and resisting arrest. The defendant was arrested on June 21 following an incident at 218 State St., Room #3. Twardowski had previously been advised by poluice and the property manager at that location that he was not allowed to be there and if he failed to comply he would be subject to criminal prosecution. He allegedly went there despite the warnings and police responded and allegedly found him on the premises. As officers attempted to take him into custody, a struggle ensued and the defendant allegedly made several attempts to pull away from the officers. He was jailed in lieu of $1,000 bail and was due back in court on June 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Sgt. Christopher Camp.

Cindylou Oppel, 60, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration. On June 21 at 8:23 p.m., Batavia PD responded to 218 State St. for a report of trespass in progress. They arrested Oppel when she allegedly obstructed police from affecting the arrest of Shawn M. Twardowski. Oppel is due in City Court on June 28 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, aasisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Jennifer L. Stack, 30, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with first degree criminal contempt. On June 26, Stack was arrested following an investigation wherein she allegedly violated an order of protection on June 24. She was put in jail and was due in City Court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Nicholas D. Martino, 35, of Main Street, Alexander, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. He was arrested at 9:27 p.m. on June 24 following a traffic stop on South Main Street in the city. He was found to be allegedly operating a vehicle while his NYS driver's license was suspended. He was jailed with bail and was due in City Court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Noah David Herrick, 19, of Fairlea Drive, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Herrick was arrested at 8:40 p.m. on June 23 for allegedly trespassing at Buttermilk Falls. He was issued an appearance ticket for July 18 in Le Roy Town Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy James Diehl.

Amanda R. Traynor, 28, of Eagle Street, Mt. Morris, is charged with failure to appear. She was located by the Geneseo Police Department during a traffic stop. She had an active warrant for failure to appear on previous traffic offenses. She was turned over to Batavia PD, jailed and released after posting $300 bail. She was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 5. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Oakfield Historical Society's Museum and Research Center is open on Sundays, exhibits include U.S. Gypsum Co., indian artifacts

By Billie Owens

The Oakfield Historical Society’s Museum and Research Center is open each Sunday from 6/12 through 12/2, EXCEPT the dates 6/19 and 7/3 and 9/4 for holiday weekends.

The Museum is located at 7 Maple Ave., Oakfield, and this year’s exhibits include the U.S. Gypsum Company, the Company houses, Native American artifacts, early Oakfield artifacts, and the War Room – a tribute to those from Oakfield who served in the armed forces.

Our publications will be available for purchase during those hours.

Please see http://www.oakfieldhistory.org/ for more information.

Structure fire reported on Gibson Street in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

 

(Submitted photos.)

Flames and smoke are reportedly showing from the front of a house at 4 Gibson St. Oakfield Fire Department is responding. It is said to have started in the garage and now involves the house, which has been evacuated.

UPDATE 4:46 a.m.: Chief on scene reports the fire is knocked down; checking for extensions. The location is between Maple and Bennett avenues.

UPDATE 4:54 a.m.: Alabama is asked to fill in at Oakfield's fire hall.

UPDATE 5:07 a.m.: Alabama is now at the scene, instead of on standby. Town of Batavia Fire Department is asked to provide interior firefighters to the scene.

UPDATE 5:09 a.m.: Elba is asked to fill in at Oakfield's fire hall.

UPDATE 10:08 a.m. (provided by WBTA): Oakfield command said four adults and two children got out of the house safely. The structure was heavily damaged as a result of the fire.

New business in Oakfield aims to expand market for old German game

By Howard B. Owens

Three guys in Oakfield think they've hit the nail on the head when it comes to their new business.

They've put a new twist on an old German game. They introduced the concept at a tournament yesterday held at the Caryville Inn.

The game is MöbileSchlägen, a portable version of hammerschlägen.

In schlägen, you get a cross-peen hammer and a nail and you get one whack at the nail per turn, hitting it with the wedge (or peen) end. The starting position is with the hammer on the table outside the wood block, making it harder to aim. The nail is tapped in to a depth equal to a line on the hammer, so everybody starts at an equal distance.

The first person with the head of the nail flush with the wood wins.

"Being first is pretty cool, but the last thing you want to do is be last," said Marc Johnson, one of the co-inventors of the mobile version of the game.

Last means ridicule from your buddies, at the least, and if alcohol is involved, it might mean buying a round of drinks.

Teasing and harassing is part of the fun of the game, because if you can goad a competitor into talking while he or she holds the hammer, (the rule is, "no hammer talk") that person loses a turn.

Johnson said for years, every time he hosts a party at his house, he and the guests play hammerschlägen, but hauling around the giant tree stumps needed for the game made it impractical for tailgate parties or picnics.

A few years ago, he brought two logs to a family gathering in Vermont and that's when he started to think there had to be a better way.

"Everybody loved it, but it killed my back," Johnson said. "It was a bad idea. You’re on a mountain and you’re rolling those stumps around."

When he got home, he and his friend James Betters started imagining a mobile version of the game, but lacked the engineering background to make it a reality, so Dan Mangus joined the team.

They formed a company, drew up their plans and filed for a patent, which was issued in March.

The end-grain wood plate, which can be laser etched with any possible logo, fits snuggly in a hard plastic base, which rests on sturdy, but foldable, legs.

"Basically, it fits in a bag that looks like a big banjo and you can throw it over your shoulder and carry it a lot easier than a 300-pound stump," Mangus said.

It took a few prototypes to get the right design and then a long search to find the right end-grain wood with the right density to take in a pounded nail easily, but not too easily. 

And lest would-be competitors might think they can make their own log inserts (the inserts need to be replaced after they fill up with nails), the design requires a properly cut and fitted log into the reverse-cupped holder. This design not only improves safety and durability, but with the patent, it also prevents copycat manufacturers from making replacement parts.

Some 40 or 50 people showed up for the game's public debut at the Caryville Inn yesterday to compete in the first official MöbileSchlägen tournament.  

There seemed to be no shortage of fun nor frustration during the tournament.

The next big step for the entrepreneurs is a Kickstarter campaign to fund the manufacturing of games for consumers. If that does well, they hope to ship the first games to customers by Spring.

Law and Order: Tracy Avenue woman allegedly punched former coworker the day after she got fired

By Billie Owens

Ana M. Uribe, 22, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 2:57 p.m. on June 2, Uribe was arrested after she allegedly punched a former coworker after being fired from her place of employment the day before. She is to appear in Batavia City Court on June 14. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Cowen Mitchell, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Christina A. Cotter, 23, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt, second-degree criminal contempt, endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree harassment. She was arrested on the charges June 2. They stem from a domestic incident at noon on May 28 wherein Cotter is alleged to have been involved in a physical altercation with another person who had an order of protection against her. She was jailed without bail and was due back in City Court on June 3. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay and Officer Marc Lawrence.

Gary D. Burney, 35, of Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt, endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree harassment. He was arrested at 11:30 a.m. on June 4 following a domestic incident wherein he allegedly shoved a person and damaged the person's property all while in the presence of a child. He was jailed on $5,000 bail and is be appear today in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Sgt. Christopher Camp.

Jennifer N. Wenner, 29, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree. Steffon G. Philip, 30, of Madison Street, Rochester, is also charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree. At 10:41 p.m. on May 30, Batavia police observed a stolen vehicle in the area of East Main and Swan streets. Officers arrested Wenner, who was allegedly found operating the stolen vehicle. She was jailed on $5,000 bail. They also arrested Philip, who was allegedly found with the stolen vehicle. Both were due in City Court on May 31. The cases were handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Luis D. Chavez, 23, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with operating a motor vehicle on a pubic highway while using a mobile phone, driving while intoxicated, and driving with a BAC of .08 percent or higher. The charges stem from an accident at 9:57 p.m. on May 25 on State Street in Batavia. It is alleged that Chavez was on his mobile phone, not paying attention to the roadway, and struck a parked car on the east side of State Street, just north of North Street. During the investigation, Cahvez was also allegedly found to have been intoxicated by alcohol. He was released on appearance tickets and is due to appear on those charges in City Court June 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Sgt. Christopher Camp.

Robert J. Donovan II, 38, of Oak Street, Le Roy, is charged with inadequate rear lamp and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operator. At 9:23 p.m. on May 22, Batavia police conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle in the area of Oak Street and Richmond Avenue in the city and found Donovan to be operating the motorcycle with a suspended license with a total of 10 suspensions. He was arrested and later posted bail. He was to appear in City Court on June 1. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Quinton L. Spinks, 31, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to obey a traffic control device. Spinks was arrested at 9:32 p.m. on May 28 following a traffic stop on Washington Avenue. Spinks was stopped after allegedly driving on a closed road and was found to be operating with active suspensions on his NY ID. He was jailed without bail and was due in City Court on May 31. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Cowen Mitchell.

Benjamin D. Chudoba, 23, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested around 8:50 p.m. on May 27 as the result of an investigation into a traffic offense that occurred a short time earlier. Chudoba was allegedly found to be in poessession of heroin, and subsequently charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. He was processed at Batavia PD headquarters and issued an appearance ticket. Chudoba is scheduled to be in Batavia City Court on June 7. The case has handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Benjamin G. Evans IV, 27, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 12:57 a.m. on May 20 following an investigation into a larceny complaint wherein it is alleged he stole a toolbox of items. He was released on an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on May 31. Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Makayla E. Stickley, 19, of Gibsonville Road, Leicester, is charged with issuing a bad check. She was arrested on an active warrant out of Batavia City Court for allegedly issuing a bad check on Nov. 23. She did not respond to a summons and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She is to appear in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Winston Ashton Lockhart, 21, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on two active bench warrant out of City of Batavia for failing to pay fines stemming from an incident in November on West Main Street, Batavia. Lockhard was located by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreeze while on an unrelated complaint. He was arrested then released and issued two computer-generated appearance tickets for May 31 in City Court. Officer DeFreeze was assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Joseph W. Freeman, 32, of Platten Road, Lyndonville, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 12 on West Main Street, Batavia. He had an active bench warrant for failing to appear in court as directed. He was located by police at a residence in the city and put in jail on $500 bail. He was due in City Court on June 1. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Tiffany Lynn George, 29, of Council House Road, Alabama, is charged with the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the third degree. She was arrested at 4:18 p.m. on June 5 on Council House Road following an incident in the Town of Alabama. George allegedly took and used a motor vehicle without the owner's concent. She is set to appear in Town of Alabama Court on June 30. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute, assisted by Deputy Chris Parker.

Kimberly M. Volk, 27, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, was arrested on May 28 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. It was issued after she failed to appear on a March 31 charge of criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree. She was jailed on $1,000 bail and was due back in court on May 31. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Frankie Jean McQueen, 25, of Snipery Road, Corfu, is charged with failure to appear. On May 27, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office turned over McQueen to Batavia PD and she was arrested on a bench warrant issued out of Batavia City Court. The warrant was issued due to failure to appear in court in November 2014. McQueen was ordered to be in court on June 7 and then turned over to NYSP on a separate warrant out of Warsaw. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Law and Order: Batavia woman allegedly stole items from two different neighbors' yards

By Billie Owens

Jeanna Marie Hattaway, 29, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. On May 31, at 8:30 p.m. Hattaway was arrested after allegedly stealing various items from two separate neighbors' yards in the area. She was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court at 1 p.m. on July 7. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

Joseph Alexander Mazuera-Cortes, 27, of Blackburn Lane, Mount Hope, Ontario, Canada, is charged with driving while intoxicated, and operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or 1 percent or more. At 12:55 a.m. today, the subject was allegedly driving a motor vehicle in an area that was restricted to pedestrians at the Darien Lake Campgrounds, 9993 Alleghany Road, Darien. When questioned by Darien Lake security, he allegedly attempted to flee the area, driving erratically through the campground. He allegedly drove down a restricted lane into a heavilty wooded area before stopping. He was taken into custody by security officers. He was allegedly found to be intoxicated and arrested for DWI. The case was handled by Sheriff's Sgt. John Baiocco.

Dakota David Swimline, 19, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Following an investigation of a liquor law violation complaint on Farnsworth Avenue in the Village of Oakfield, Swimline was arrested at 1:13 a.m. today after allegedly being found in possession of a small amount of marijuana hash oil in the front pocket of his pants. He was issued an appearance ticket of Town of Oakfield Court and is to appear there June 27. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Eric Meyer, assisted by Deputy Andrew Hale.

Sterna Gettel Grunwald, 31, of McNamara Road, Spring Valley, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The defendant was stopped following the observation of vehicle and traffic violations on Route 63 in the Town of Batavia at 11:15 p.m. on May 30. An odor of marijuana was allegedly detected emanating from the vehicle and Grunwald was allegedly found in possession of marijuana. Grunwald was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Eric Meyer.

Dog missing in Burns Road area after house fire

By Howard B. Owens

A house fire struck the Mathew Pribek family residence Saturday, at 5581 Burns Road, Medina, and Pribek believes both of their dogs got out safely. One was found and one is still missing.

The residence is just over the county line, so the Pribeks are asking anyone in the North Oakfield area to on the look out for Pepper.

"She is friendly, but scared and lost," Pribek said. "Our family is desperate to have her back and are prepared to reward anyone who finds her."

If you are in the area of Burns Road, East Shelby Road or Albion Road, North Oakfield, watch for Pepper and if you find her, call Mathew Pribek at (585) 861-0211.

Schedule of ceremonies and parades for Monday, May 30: Memorial Day 2016

By Billie Owens

David Zuppelli, of Batavia, submitted this photo of his father, Chester Zuppelli, playing Taps on Memorial Day 1944 in New Caledonia, South Pacific.

Here's a schedule for Memorial Day Ceremonies and the Batavia parade:

7 a.m. -- Genesee County Park (11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany) -- Vietnam Veterans Memorial (VVA #193)

8 a.m. -- Williams Park, City of Batavia-- WW I Memorial (wreath laying, rifle salute & Taps)

8:30 a.m. -- Batavia VA Medical Center

8:45 a.m. -- NYS Veterans Home

9:30 a.m. -- Upton Monument (routes 5 and 63) (wreath laying, rifle salute & Taps)

9:45 a.m. -- Batavia Cemetery, Harvester Avenue, City of Batavia (wreath laying, rifle salute & Taps)

10 a.m. -- Elmwood Cemetery, off Harvester Avenue and Webster Street in the city (AL #332)

10 a.m. -- CITY PARADE -- Begins at the Eastown Plaza traveling west along Main Street and ending at Jerome Center on Bank Street at 10:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m. -- UMMC -- Jerome Center:

  • Memorial Day ceremonies: Invocation; National Anthem with Batavia Concert Band; G.A.R. Order of the Day; Veterans Service Organizations Commemorations; wreath laying with Gold Star Mothers; Honor Roll with drum roll; rifle salute; Taps; Benediction; "God Bless America."

Noon -- Hansen Brothers Grave -- Grandview Cemetery on Clinton Street Road, Batavia (MCL #951)

Participating organizations:

Hansen Borthers Marine Corps League Detachment #951

Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post #332

Veness-Strollo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1602

Disabled American Veterans Chapter #166

Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #193

Sons of Union Veterans Abraham Lincoln Camp #6

 

Here are more local Memorial Day ceremonies/parades:

  • ALEXANDER: Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Alexander High School and travels to the cemetery on Railroad Avenue with a ceremony to take place at the cemetery following the parade.

  • BERGEN: Parade at 9 a.m. beginning at the Fire Hall (Route 19 & Hunter Street), traveling south on Route 19 to Hickory Park with ceremony to take place at the park immediately following the parade.
  •  
  • BYRON: Parade at 11 a.m. from Terry Street to Swamp Road with a ceremony immediately following at Byron Cemetery.
  • CORFU: Parade at noon from Corfu Fire hall on Route 33 to the Intermediate School on Route 77. Ceremony immediately following the parade.

  • ELBA: Ceremony at Maple Lawn Cemetery at 10 a.m. No parade. The Elba Historical Society Museum will be open for tours after the ceremony.
  •  
  • LEROY: Parade at 10:30 a.m. from the American Legion to Trigon Park with a ceremony at Trigon Park at 11 a.m. following the parade.
  • OAKFIELD: Parade at 11 a.m. from the Oakfield Fire Dept. to Triangle Park with ceremony to be held at Triangle Park.

  • PAVILION: Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Town Park at intersection of routes 63 and 19. No parade.

No parades/ceremonies for the following:

  • Alabama

  • Bethany

  • Darien

  • Pembroke

  • Stafford

Oakfield woman sentenced in federal drug case

By Howard B. Owens

An Oakfield woman, whose husband was a leader in the Hells Angels motorcycle club, and who was convicted for her part in a meth distribution operation, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to three years probation and 12 months of home detention.

Donna Boon McAuley, 50, was among seven defendants in the case, which was also tied into a racketeering investigation stemming from a baseball attack on a patron of a bar in Rochester. 

The investigation revealed Boon, in conjunction with her husband, James Henry McAuley Jr., helped distribute methamphetamine obtained from a Hells Angel member in California from 2002 through July 9, 2010. Boon admitted to obtaining and distributing at least 30 grams of meth. Some of it was sold to a dealer in Genesee County who sold it to Genesee County residents.

James McAuley was convicted for his part in the ring and is scheduled to be sentenced July 12.

This case is part of a larger investigation that resulted in the indictment and arrest of members and associates of the Rochester and Monterey, Ca., Hell's Angels for drug trafficking and racketeering-related offenses in February 2012. Seven defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. In addition to Boon and McAuley, Richard W. Mar, Jeffrey A. Tyler, Richard E. Riedman, Gordon Montgomery and Paul Griffin, have been convicted for their roles in the methamphetamine conspiracy.

Taking part in the investigation and prosecution of the case were the FBI, Sheriff's Office, DEA, State Police, Batavia PD and Le Roy PD.

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