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Pavilion

Missing Pets: Reggie and Zoe missing in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Reggie, on the left, a 3-year-old Rottweiler, and Zoe, a 5-year-old Austrailian shepard, have been missing in the Asbury Road and Route 20 area of Pavilion since yesterday afternoon. Owner Crystal Geitner thinks they may have ran off into the woods chasing a deer. 

If you can assist in locating them, call Jaret (716) 474-1881 or Crystal (716) 560-3644.    

Pavilion resident accused of growing marijuana

By Howard B. Owens

A 25-year-old Pavilion resident is being held in the Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail after being found allegedly growing marijuana.

The Local Drug Task Force executed a search warrant today at 10831 South Lake Road, Pavilion, and allegedly found marijuana growing, dried marijuana, smoking devices, U.S. currency, brass knuckles and several pieces of equipment used for growing marijuana.

The Task Force described the quanity of marijuana as "large."

Kyle R. Washington was charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 2nd, unlawful growing of cannabis by an unlicensed person and criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. 

The District Attorney's Office and uniformed members of the Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation and arrest.

Hay baler fire reported in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A hay baler is on fire at 10162 Perry Road, Pavilion. It's next to a barn and attached to a tractor with diesel fuel in it.

Pavilion fire is dispatched.

Portion of Perry Road closed for three weeks for culvert replacement

By Howard B. Owens

Statement from Tim Hens, county highway superintendent:

Perry Road is closed 150 feet south of 9596 Perry Road between Cole Road and Black Street Road for an emergency culvert replacement. The road will be closed for approximately three weeks. County Highway is making the repairs.

Low water due to the recent dry weather allowed for a more detailed inspection on the culvert. The inspection revealed significant deterioration below the normal water level that could result in a collapse of the culvert. 

Law and Order: Warrant suspect's call to 9-1-1 results in arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Kerri Lynn Forsberg, 43, of Fargo Road, Stafford, is charged with assault, 2nd. Forsberg was arrested on a warrant after she called 9-1-1 to report a disturbance. She was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Kristen M. Reilly, 18, of Bethany, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs. Reilly is accused of driving under the influence of marijuana. Reilly was arrested by State Police following a report of a one-vehicle accident on Mengs Road, Attica. Reilly allegedly suffered a knee injury and was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital where a drug enforcement officer conducted an interview. She was also charged with failure to keep right and speed not reasonable and prudent.

Xavier Melendez, 28, of Reading, Pa., was arrested as a fugitive after being stopped by State Police on Route 63, Pavilion, for allegedly speeding. Melendez was allegedly wanted in Reading for escape after allegedly fleeing from police officers during a traffic stop. He was jailed in Genesee County on $1,000 bail and extradition will be arranged.

A 17-year-old of Batavia is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. The youth was observed on surveillance video leaving a room at Batavia High School with an allegedly stolen laptop and power cable and was arrested by State Police. The laptop was returned to the school. The youth was also arrested by Batavia PD and charged with petit larceny.

Luis Alberto Sauceda, 35, of South Wayne Street, Phelps, is charged with confinement of companion animal in a vehicle. Sauceda allegedly left a Chihuahua puppy in a vehicle on Labor Day while his family was inside Darien Lake Theme Park. Deputies were alerted by Darien Lake security staff. Deputies Chris Parker and Andrew Hale responded, provided the puppy with appropriate care and the dog was then transported to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Beau Thomas Bressler, 28, of Big Treet Road, Pavilion, is charged with felony DWI (two prior convictions in previous 10 years), felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, failure to keep right, unlicensed operation. Bressler was stopped on Route 20, Bethany, at 10:37 p.m. Saturday by Deputy Matthew Fleming. Bressler was jailed on $5,000 bail.

William H. Swader, 66, of Cedar Street, Akron, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Swader was allegedly involved in a road rage incident at 3:45 p.m. Friday on West Main Street, Batavia.

A 17-year-old resident of Walnut Street, Batavia, (name redacted by Batavia PD) is charged with trespass. The youth allegedly went onto a property posted with no trespressing signs and went onto the front and back porches and looked through the windows at the side of the residence.

Ashley A. Goodenow, 24, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Goodenow allegedly stole $50 from her employer.

Lori A. Brightenfield, 55, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Brightenfield allegedly entered the residence of her ex-boyfriend on Thorpe Street without permission and remained after being advised to leave. Brightenfield was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Eugene L. Sumeriski, 36, of Olyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and disobeying traffic control device. Sumeriski was stopped at 1:34 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Office Darryle Streeter after allegedly being observed driving at a high rate of speed.

Tiffany Ann Reed, 21, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Reed allegedly violated a stay away order of protection She was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Tammy L. Plesczynski, 38, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Plesczynski was arrested on a warrant by parole officers and turned over to Batavia PD. He was jailed without bail.

Joshua S. Martaus, 32, no permanent address, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest. Martaus is accused of shoplifting from Tops and trying to steal $64.29 in merchandise. Martaus was located by Deputy Chris Parker and Officer Frank Klimjack at a local restaurant and allegedly resisted arrest. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Austin C. Durham, 20, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Durham is accused of assisting another person in stealing 30 packs of beer from Tops.

Elijah J. Richardson, 18, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with owning an unlicensed dog. Richardson was allegedly found walking an unlicensed dog on MacArthur Drive.

Misty Dawn Brabon, 35, of Marshall Road, Lyndonville, is charged with petit larceny. Barbon allegedly stole $168.28 in merchandise from Walmart.

Amanda Rose McDonald, 33, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. McDonald is accused of stealing $88.44 in merchandise from Walmart.

A 16-year-old resident of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth allegedly threatened a woman.

Veronica Mabel Blackwood, 26, of Sterling Place, Brooklyn, is charged with petit larceny. Blackwood allegedly stole $25.09 in merchandise from Walmart.

Lauren S. Murphy, 19, of West Buffalo Street, Warsaw, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol under age 21. Murphy was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident at 4:25 a.m. Sept. 13 on Vernon Avenue, Batavia.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia (name redacted by Batavia PD) was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. He was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Nathaniel L. Beglinger, 24, of Peaviner Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Beglinger was allegedly involved in a one-car property damage accident at 2:20 a.m. Sept. 13 on Vernon Avenue, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Jennifer Lyn Stack, 29, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stack is accused of stealing the beverage Red Bull from a local store.

Caller says her dryer exploded inside her house on Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A possible electrical fire is reported inside a house at 6890 Ellicott Street Road. The caller told a dispatcher "her dryer blew up." Pavilion Fire Department is reponding along with mutual aid from Le Roy. The location is between River Road and Woodrow Drive.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: Pavilion command reports a code enforcement officer is on scene and that the occupants are going to remain on the premises until help arrives from the American Red Cross.

Bridge on Route 19, Pavilion, closed for repairs

By Howard B. Owens

Press release: 

The New York State Department of Transportation today announced the bridge that carries Route 20 over Oatka Creek in the Town of Pavilion, Genesee County, is being closed for repairs today, Sept. 16, while bridge workers make repairs. The bridge is expected to reopen by Friday, Oct. 2.

The structure is located about a half mile west of Route 19.

A detour will be posted using State Route 19 and State Route 63.

This bridge is being closed following a recent inspection that identified significant steel deterioration.

Milk tanker and vehicle collide at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A tanker and another vehicle collided at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion. Unknown injuries. The tanker is on its side and heavily leaking fuel, according to the dispatcher. An emergency crew is called to handle the spill and Pavilion fire and Mercy medics are responding. Le Roy's rescue unit is also called to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 5:25: The tanker is about 40 feet off the road. It was hauling 31,000 pounds of milk.

Friends raising money for woman displaced from Pavilion home after truck hit it

By Howard B. Owens

Friends of a Pavilion resident who was displaced when a truck rammed into her house Friday are trying to raise money to assist her.

JoAnn Dumbleton has been staying with family since the accident, according to Mary Conway-Doody.  

Dumbleton is a child-care worker in the before and after school program at Pavilion.

The fundraiser is intended to help Dumbleton, who was renting the house, find a new place to live and replace damaged items.

To donate, visit this GoFundMe.com page.

Photo: Pavilion Clothing Closet

By Howard B. Owens

Hope Speechley stands among the hundreds of pieces of quality clothing available to anybody who needs it in the Pavilion Clothing Closet at Pavilion First Baptist Church, 10956 Lake Road (Route 19), Pavilion.

The closet, long run by Pavilion High School, moved starting today to the church.

Speechley said the closet will open at least monthly and people should watch local media outlets for announcements about openings, but Pavilion residents are also welcome to visit the closet by appointment. Speechley can be reached at (585) 483-1858.

The clothes are all donated by Pavilion residents and more donations of quality clothing items are welcome.

Car crashes into house at routes 63 and 19

By Billie Owens

A driver may have suffered a seizure before plowing into a house at routes 63 and 19. Injuries are reported in the motor-vehicle accident. Pavilion fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: The house's gas meter has been shut off. RG&E has been notified.

UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: Command requests a crew from Le Roy Fire Department to stand by in their own quarters.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: This could have been a major accident, instead no one -- including the driver -- was seriously hurt, according to a firefighter at the scene. After getting gas at Pavilion Farms gas station, a man in a white pickup truck had a seizure and his truck shot full-throttle out of the gas station, across Route 19, and was headed straight toward Paparoni's pizza parlor, which was crowded with lunchtime customers. There were students milling around in the parking lot, too. But the truck struck a Hanson Aggregates truck in its path and that impact careened the white pickup into the house next to the pizza parlor. A woman was home at the time and the truck missed her by only a couple of feet, said the firefighter. RG&E is on scene.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Pavilion Fire Chief Chad Freeman at the scene said they received a call about 12:45 of a vehicle into a house and arrived to find a pickup truck partially inside the house. They believed the driver had a medical issue. He was northbound on Route 19 and came through the intersection of Route 63 and "ended up in the house." He drove through a busy parking lot. "It could have been a lot worse. Everybody got away with minor injuries." Asked if the Hanson truck diverted the pickup from striking the pizzeria and the packed parking lot, the chief said they are not "100-percent sure" if he would have continued down 19 a ways or not.

Farmer honored for dedication to education and community

By Howard B. Owens

Press release: 

Sarah Noble-Moag’s roots are deeply immersed in the business of agriculture. Her family tree spans across generations of farmers and thousands of acres of land. Although she is deeply immersed in her family business called Noblehurst Farms, she truly knows the value of giving back to the community.

Noble-Moag was recently honored with the Genesee Valley School Board Association’s Albert Hawk Award. This award is presented annually to a current or former school board member for outstanding contributions to public education and children in his or her own community.

Noble-Moag is modest about her accomplishments but the list of her contributions is long and noteworthy.

“I come from a family of educators. Becoming a board member was a natural extension of the stewardship that my family has supported for generations,” she said.

Noble-Moag serves on a number of local, regional and state boards including the Agricultural Affiliates Board of Directors, and the New York State Agricultural Society. In 2014, she was appointed to the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation Board of Directors.

She served for 11 years on the Pavilion School Board and held positions as trustee, vice president and president of the board of education. Her efforts for continued improvement resulted in the district being honored as a “Reward School” by New York state in 2007 and again in 2014. Noble-Moag was instrumental in the development of a new career and technical education program offered by the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and Genesee Community College.

The Agri-Business Academy gives high school seniors the opportunity to explore careers in the agricultural field as they earn college credit. During her time as trustee, the Pavilion School Board was faced with difficult decisions especially when the district faced drastic budget cuts due to the Gap Elimination Adjustment. But some of her best moments were when she was able to witness students’ successes.

“After a capital improvement project was completed, I was at school for an event," Noble-Moag said. "I looked up and saw students on stage in the new auditorium. As I glanced around, I saw the."

Making those complicated decisions during challenging times can be difficult, said Ken Ellison, superintendent of Pavilion Central Schools. According to Ellison, Noble-Moag always kept the students’ best interests as the top priority.

He said: “During her board tenure, Sarah’s leadership contributed in so many powerful ways. Sarah was a valued partner during the merger/annexation study with Wyoming CS. A merger process can be an emotionally charged event and very divisive in the school communities involved.

"Sarah brought wisdom and perspective to a very challenging process. Sarah also served on the PCS Board during one of the most challenging fiscal periods ever faced by our school. At one point our Gap Elimination Adjustment was $1.6 million dollars. Sarah was a vital partner in developing strategies, and in some cases sacrifices, to keep the district on firm financial footing."

Education has always been a valued priority in her family hence the reason for her dedication to the Pavilion Central School District. Many generations of both the Noble and Moag families have graced the halls and walked the graduation stage at Pavilion Central. Noble-Moag’s mother was a home economics teacher and her mother-in-law worked in the library.

But what resounds deeply with Noble-Moag are words from her grandmother’s senior thesis from Cortland written in 1926.

“Just now there is fraud in business, humbug in politics, back biting, slander and deceit in social intercourse. Do you want your children to repair to such practices as a standard of conduct? We must give them an education, which will lift them infinitely above the moral and intellectual level of life outside the school, today. We must teach them to aspire to be all they can.” -- Written by Rella Smith in 1926.

“These words resonate with me; my grandmother was a wise woman. It’s vital that we provide our children with the best education possible," Noble-Moag said. “By becoming involved with their school districts, parents can make a difference and have a voice in making decisions for their children and students."

Noble-Moag is a graduate of Cornell University. She resides in Pavilion with her husband, Timothy Moag. They are the parents of three grown children, Griffin, Rella (named for Noble-Moag’s grandmother) and Austin.

Revised Dunkin' Donut plan doesn't sway county planners

By Howard B. Owens

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.

Pavilion celebrates funding for new children's wing at library

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion celebrated today receiving a $283,877 grant from the State of New York to help fund the addition of a new wing on the library, which is also being funded with a $200,000 donation from Edgar and Mary Louis Hollwedel. The 1,620-square-foot addition will provide expanded services for children in Pavilion.

Pictured from left, Elsa Queen, Jay Grasso (representing Sen. Micheal Ranzenhofer), Mary Louise Hollwedel, Edgar Hollwedel, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Spiderman.

State to provide aid to libraries in Pavilion and Byron-Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer announced today that Pavilion Public Library has been awarded $283,877, while Byron-Bergen Public Library has been awarded $65,355, in public library construction funds.

The funds are from $14 million in capital funds for public library construction provided in the 2014 State Budget. Pavilion Public Library’s grant is for a new 1,790-square-foot children’s addition to the library’s existing building. Byron-Bergen Public Library’s grant is for fixing drainage issues in the parking lot, replacing an emergency exit door, and installing energy-efficient windows.  

“Whether for Internet access or to promote reading among children, our local public libraries provide invaluable resources to so many residents in our community,” Ranzenhofer said. “These two grants for Pavilion and Byron-Bergen public libraries will ensure that many of their important services are secured for future generations.”

New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading. A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.2 billion. More than 48 percent of the more than 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Another 30 percent are more than three decades old.  

Many of New York’s local public libraries are: unable to accommodate users with disabilities; are energy inefficient; cannot provide Internet, computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring; and do not have sufficient space to house the library’s expanding collection; cannot address the need for adequate meeting room, or provide for public access computers.

Project activities and expenditures eligible for grants from the $14 million State Aid for Library Construction Program include: financing construction of new library buildings; construction of additions to existing buildings; and the renovation and/or rehabilitation of existing space. The latter includes: roof replacement; purchase and installation of alternative energy resources and new HVAC systems, windows, doors and lighting systems; electrical upgrades; and construction of new or replacement of old walkways and parking lots, among other things. Renovations designed to provide accessibility for patrons with disabilities are a high priority.

Metal-working shop on fire on Harris Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 8062 Harris Road. Le Roy and Pavilion fire departments are responding. The location is said to be a metal-working shop behind a residence. It's by Linwood and Asbury roads.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: "It's going to be a stove fire, knocked down in that shop," says a dispatcher.

Pavilion Clothing Closet -- new location, hours announced, plus donations WANTED

By Billie Owens

***EDITOR'S NOTE (8/6/15): The phone number originally provided and published for Hope Speechley was incorrect. We have corrected the error and her true number is found below.

Submitted by Marianne Witkowski, Phys. Education Dept., Pavilion Central School:

The “Pavilion Clothing Closet” has been around for several years now at the high school. It's a place where any Pavilion Central School student and their family can go to acquire gently used and sometimes “new” clothing, shoes and outerwear for FREE.

Very generous community members have donated, and continue to donate, to the Closet and it is very much appreciated. 

However, due to lack of space and renovations we have had to relocate. We've found a new home and we would like to tell you all about it. The Pavilion Clothing Closet has moved from the Pavilion High School to the Pavilion First Baptist Church, 10956 Lake Road (Route 19), Pavilion. 

The Clothing Closet will be open Saturday Aug. 29 and Saturday Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and also by appointment. For an appointment call Hope Speechley at 585-483-1858.

To donate clothes, you can drop them off at the Pavilion High School in care of Charity Gayhart, or call Hope Speechley (585-483-1858) to drop them off at the church.

Additionally, we will continue to coordinate opening the Clothing Closet with the High School's Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Basket programs. And we will try to advertise any other information regarding the Closet through newsletters and the media.

If you have any questions, please call Hope Speechley at 585-483-1858. If she is not available call Marianne Witkowski at 409-5819, or Stacey Tallon at the High School Guidance Office, 584-3115.

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