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More than 60 students earn academic honors at the College at Brockport

By Billie Owens

The College at Brockport, State University of New York, recently honored students who excelled academically by naming them to the dean's list for the Fall 2012 semester. Students who earn a GPA of 3.70–3.99 are named to the dean's list with honors, while students who achieve a 3.40–3.69 are named to the dean's list.

Dean's list with honors:

Alexander

  • Patrick Guarino, with honors
  • Peggy Hamm-Johnson, with honors

Basom

  • Lori Stellrecht, with honors
  • Elias Seward, with honors
  • Danielle Hirtzel, with honors

Batavia

  • Heidi Dempsey, with honors
  • Kristin Aidala, with honors
  • Jennifer Baker, with honors
  • John Beckler, with honors
  • Kaley Falkowski, with honors
  • Leigh Woodall, with honors

Bergen

  • Shane Chatham, with honors
  • Cody Pierce, with honors
  • Rebecca Smith, with honors
  • Lindsay Stumpf, with honors
  • Athena Corodimas, with honors

Byron

  • Melissa Hale, with honors
  • Tammy Fuller, with honors
  • Sarah Ritchie, with honors

Elba

  • Gianni Zambito, with honors

Le Roy

  • Natalie Wedge, with honors
  • Katherine Rogers, with honors
  • Meghan Bishop, with honors
  • Danielle Ford, with honors
  • Gena Korn, with honors

Oakfield

  • Jamie Borkholder, with honors
  • Zackary Kibler, with honors

South Byron

  • Kallee Stein, with honors


Dean's list:

Alexander

  • Cory Dick

Batavia

  • Patrick Carr
  • Emily Mott
  • Felicia McJury
  • Erin Suttell
  • David Eick
  • Charles Eggebrecht
  • Cara Grosshans
  • Carrie Putney
  • Brittany Wormley
  • Diane Cox
  • Emily Glidden
  • Katrina Mogavero
  • Catherine Taylor

Bergen

  • Harjit Singh
  • Brian Humphrey
  • Alexander Gunther
  • Alyson Tardy
  • Emily Drzewiecki
  • Carrie Cooper
  • Paul Morton

Byron

  • Darren Kwiatkowski

Corfu

  • Casey Herman
  • Kristen Gaik

Elba

  • Keenan Hughes
  • Meg Stucko

Le Roy

  • Joel Pitts
  • Justin Becker
  • Abigail Graham

Oakfield

  • Samantha Denton
  • Olivia Waldron
  • Benjamin Cherry
  • Lisa Halat

Pavilion

  • Theresa Raponi
  • Shawn Mascho

Father helps children escape burning home after kerosene heater ignites fire

By Howard B. Owens

A family with four children lost their home this morning to fire after one of the children apparently knocked over a kerosene heater on the first floor.

The structure was not insured.

The father, Jesse Rosenbaum, suffered a minor back injury from jumping from the second floor. He was transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Before jumping, Rosenbaum lowered the four children from the roof over the front porch, helping them reach the ground safely.

None of the children were injured.

After the fire started, the children apparently ran from the first floor to the second floor. Investigators are unsure why the children went to the second floor rather than exit the house, but once they did, egress through the first floor was blocked by the fire.

The situation could have been much worse, said Pavilion Chief Paul Dougherty.

"They were very lucky to get out given that they ran to the second floor first," Dougherty said. "They could have easily been trapped on the second floor."

An instinct of young children, Dougherty said, is to run to a bedroom, where they think they will be safe.

The fire was reported at 10:10 a.m., when a passerby spotted flames and smoke. The initial emergency call went to Livingston County dispatchers.

The location, 8029 Telephone Road (Route 20) is less than a half mile from the county line.

The kerosene-fueled fire spread quickly and there was no hope of saving the structure by the time firefighters arrived.

“By the time we got here, fire was coming out almost every door and window, top and bottom floor," Dougherty said.

There was no attempt to fight the fire from the inside give how quickly the fire spread and that the first chiefs on scene were told everybody got out of the structure safely.

"Had somebody reported that there were still people inside that would have changed our thinking," Dougherty said. "Because this was not a life-threatening situation, and because the fire is already coming out to us, it kind of dictated an exterior attack."

Later in the fire, after firefighters were mainly dealing with smoldering hot spots, water supply became an issue. Pumper trucks were picking up water from a hydrant at Asbury Road, but the water pressure was low for some reason, even after Monroe County Water Authority was notified of the fire in progress.

The blaze was knocked down pretty quickly by Pavilion's engine, which has a brand-new compressor system to allow firefighters to use foam instead of water to fight a fire.

The foam doesn't evaporate as quickly as water and penetrates wood better, making for faster fire suppression.

The compressor just went into service Saturday.

"The foam system multiplies the capacity of the truck and we're able to get a much quicker knock down with a lot less water," Dougherty said.

Also responding to the fire were Le Roy, Bethany, South Byron, Stafford, Alexander, York and Caledonia with Bergen on standby. The Sheriff's Office, State Police, Mercy EMS and Genesee County Emergency Services provided scene support. City of Batavia's FAST Team also responded.

UPDATE: A little more information, and different information from a press release just put out by the Sheriff's Office. The press release says all four children were upstairs with Rosenbaum, age 26, when a 3-year-old went downstairs and discovered the fire. The home's owner is Teresa Martinez. She said the heater was operating when she left for work at 6:30 a.m.

To purchase prints, click the link in the slide show or Click Here.

House fire reported on Telephone Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A house fire has been reported at 8029 Telephone Road (Route 20), Pavilion.

The call initially came in through Livingston County.

A resident reportedly has a back injury.

Pavilion Fire Department with mutual aid from Le Roy, Alexander and neighboring counties requested along with City of Batavia FAST Team.

UPDATE 10:26 a.m. (updates by Billie): Asbury and Linwood roads are being shut down at Telephone. Caledonia is called to provide mutual aid and stand by in Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m.: Mercy Medic 1 has arrived to care for the patient. Caledonia is also called for all available equipment and manpower. York is called and Engine 5 from Wyoming County.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: The American Red Cross is being notified that aid will be needed for the residents.

UPDATE 10:49 a.m.: Bergen is standing by in its quarters and Mumford is standing by in Le Roy's hall. National Grid is on its way to the scene. The Red Cross will be advised that the residents are one adult and four children.

UPDATE 11:03 a.m.: National Grid is on scene. Fire command says "Let's cut a hole and get this thing ventilated." They're going to cut a hole in the roof to get the heat out and fight the fire on the second floor.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: A relative is said to be coming to the scene to take the children elsewhere.

UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: The firefighters will soon assemble at fire command so everyone can be accounted for. Operations at this point are at a standstill. Overhaul is the next step.

UPDATE 11:24 a.m.: Everyone is asked to come away from the structure immediately. Fire command is informed that there are no explosives or ammunition inside the house. But there are sounds of something popping inside.

UPDATE 11:32 a.m.: Bergen was released from standby in its quarters awhile ago.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: Overhaul is under way. They are dousing hot spots.

UPDATE 11:39 a.m.: A firefighter tells command he thinks "the popping sounds are just the house settling."

UPDATE 11:41 a.m.: The Red Cross representatives are going to the scene and from there will go to the hospital where the injured person was taken, not sure which hospital.

UPDATE 11:45 a.m.: According to the fire commander, all occupants are accounted for and safe. The fire is believed to have started when a child accidentally knocked over a kerosene heater on the first floor. The father got the kids out of a window on the second floor, then jumped out, injuring his back.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: "We've got an excavator coming that's going to tear (the structure) down and rip it apart."

UPDATE 12:04 p.m.: Wyoming County Correctional Facility is asked to send prisoners to the scene to help out. The Le Roy Fire Auxiliary is called to provide refreshments.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: Help from the correctional facility will not be needed and the request is cancelled.

UPDATE: Photos submitted by Julie Matusak:


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Law and Order: Arrest made in alleged burglary in Darien

By Howard B. Owens

Steven Edward Rheinheimer, 18, of Beachwood Place, Cheektowaga, is charged with burglary, 3rd, and petit larceny. Rheinheimer is accused of entering a building in Darien and stealing property some time during the month of December. Rheinheimer allegedly returned to that location at a later date in December and stole property from outside of that building. He was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Elijah J. Dawson, 18, of 20 North Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Dawson is accused of punching and knocking down another person while in the presence of a child. Dawson was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Troy D. Hubler, 42, of 7634 Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, failure to appear and unlicensed operation, 2nd. Hubler turned himself in on two warrants. He allegedly violated an order of protection and failed to appear on the unlicensed operation count. Hubler was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Alex S. Dumbleton, 19, of 121 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Dumbleton is accused of punching a person under age 17 several times.

Derek F. McQueen, 25, of Akron, is charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child. McQueen was arrested by State Police in relation to an alleged incident reported at 1:04 p.m., Jan. 12. No further details were released. McQueen was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Bernard L. Evans, 42, Pavilion, is charged with criminal contempt and harassment, 2nd. Evans was arrested by State Police in connection with an alleged incident reported at 1:17 p.m., Sunday. No further details released. Evans was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Le Roy man involved in theft of $51,000 from Pavilion home sentenced to prison

By Howard B. Owens

One of the four men arrested together in connection with a pair of burglaries over the summer in Pavilion appeared in Genesee County Court today and received the stiffest sentence of all.

John H. O'Shea, 20, of Wolcott Street, Le Roy, was given consecutive 3 1/2 to 7 year prison terms. He must also pay his part of more than $53,000 in restitution to his victims.

On Nov. 28, O'Shea plead guilty to burglary, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.

He had been charged with two counts of burglary, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th, in connection with the May 21 Pavilion robbery. He had also been charged with burglary and grand larceny for a break-in in Le Roy.

O'Shea was first arrested in July and faced a charge for falsely reporting an incident for reporting a burglary in which he said jewelry and marijuana were stolen.

His Nov. 28th plea satisfied all pending charges.

The Pavilion homeowners spoke in court today about how the nighttime robbery devastated them.

O'Shea and partners Dylan J. Hawkins, 20, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, and Anthony J. Gonzales, 20, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, reportedly got away with more than $51,000 in cash and more than $21,000 in securities.

"This crime greatly altered our financial future," one of the victims from Pavilion told Judge Robert C. Noonan. "We would like Mr. O'Shea to know that it took a lot of hard work by my husband over many, many years to earn that money and save that money. Why did Mr. O'Shea think he could just come in and take it?"

The victim pleaded with O'Shea to reveal where the money is hidden.

While O'Shea has reportedly admitted to spending $6,000 of the money on cocaine; he doesn't know what happened to the rest, according to his attorney, Thomas Burns.

Hawkins and Gonzales have both pled guilty to attempted burglary. Hawkins was sentenced to five years in prison and three years probation. Gonzales received six months in jail and five years probation.

Joshua M. Bratcher, 22, of Lake Street, Le Roy, who was initially charged with burglary, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th, for his part in a May 18 break-in of the Pavilion residence, entered a guilty plea in Pavilion Town Court to petit larceny. He has not yet been sentenced.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell argued for the maximum sentence under the plea deal. He said O'Shea received a substantial break in getting his plea reduced from a violent felony -- second-degree burglary -- to a nonviolent third-degree burglary.

O'Shea has a prior violent felony conviction in South Carolina for robbery with a deadly weapon.

"I don't know that I've ever seen in a PSI (pre-sentence report by the Probation Department) before what I saw in this PSI," Finnell said. "It says, quite correctly, I think, that he is a menace to society."

Noonan told O'Shea that he has a criminal record that shows he's a violent felon and while he got a break with the plea bargain, Noonan intended to put him away for as long as possible.

Noting that if his victims had awakened in the middle of the night during his Pavilion robbery, the scene could have turned violent, if not deadly (there were guns in the house), and that was a very scary situation for the victims, Noonan said he was just glad the victims didn't wake up.

"I'm going to make sure nobody sees you in their house in the middle of the night for a good long time," Noonan said.

Criminal Justice major from Pavilion named to 'Who's Who Among Students'

By Billie Owens

Rachel Diehl, a Criminal Justice major from Pavilion, was one of 65 University of Pittsburgh at Bradford juniors and seniors named to the 2012-2013 edition of "Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges."

Students were selected for this honor based upon a combination of the following criteria: leadership and participation in co-curricular activities; service to the college community; and academic achievement.
 

Sixteen local students made the Fall 2012 dean's list at Alfred SU

By Billie Owens

Stephen J. Havlovic, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at Alfred State University, has announced the dean's list of students for the Fall 2012 semester.

The local students on the list are:

Joshua Stellrecht, of Basom, Network Administration

Nicole Ficarella, of Batavia, Human Services Management

Gregory Kryman, of Batavia, Network Administration

Raymond Putnam, of Batavia, Digital Media and Animation

Timothy Hungerford, of Bergen, Welding Technology

John Langdon, of Bergen, Construction Mgmt Eng Tech

Mike Kisiel, of Byron, Network Administration

Nicole Binns, of Corfu, Digital Media and Animation

Ryan Seward, of Corfu, Forensic Science Technology

Brianna Hofert, of Elba, Lib Arts / Sci-Social Science

Anthony Gallucci, of Le Roy, Bldg Trades-Building Construct

Joseph Gallucci, of Le Roy, Bldg Trades-Building Construct

Andrew Lowe, of Le Roy, Elec Cons & Maint Electrician

Edward Cigno, of Le Roy, Mechanical Engineering Tech

Thomas Parmenter, of Pavilion, Construction Mgmt Eng Tech

Carl Beaver, of Stafford, Mechanical Engineering Tech

Alfred State offers associate degrees in 50 programs in the fields of agriculture, health, business, vocational, and engineering technology, as well as liberal arts and sciences. There are also 19 baccalaureate degree offerings.

Students from both the Alfred campus and the School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville are selected for the dean's list if they maintain a 3.50 grade-point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.

Law and Order: Oakfield man accused of resisting arrest at alleged underage drinking party

By Howard B. Owens

Elijah Robert Coombs, 18, of Orchard Street, Oakfield, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration 2nd, resisting arrest, criminal nuisance, 2nd, harassment, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Coombs is accused of causing problems when deputies arrived at his residence to investigate a report of an underage drinking party at 11:43 p.m., Friday. When deputies attempted to arrest Coombs, he allegedly resisted arrest and struck a deputy. Deputies Matt Fleming and Patrick Reeves responded to the call.

Andrew Zimba Perdock, 25, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, was arrested on a bench warrant, alleged failure to pay fine related to a petit larceny charge. Perdock was jailed on $100 bail.

Ronald James Tombari, 24, of Court Road, Pavilion, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlicensed operation, failure to keep right and no seat belt. Tombari was stopped at 12:12 a.m. Sunday on Perry Road, Pavilion, by Deputy John Weis.

(name redacted), 19, and (name redacted upon request), 24, both of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, are charged with unlawful dealing with a child. xxx and xxx were arrested following an investigation into a report of a loud gathering. xxx and xxx were accused of hosting an underage drinking party.

Christopher William Fowler, 24, of Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and parking on a roadway. Fowler was allegedly found in his vehicle at 10:13 p.m., Saturday, with it stopped on Stegman Road and Miller Road, Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

A 17-year-old from Batavia has been charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was stopped at 3:28 p.m., Saturday, on Lewiston Road, Batavia, for alleged traffic violations by Deputy Patrick Reeves. During the traffic stop, the youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Lori Ann Brightenfield, 53, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Deputy Jason Saile responded to a report of a citizen requesting assistance because her vehicle ran out of gas in the Town of Le Roy. Following an investigation, Brightenfield was arrested for alleged DWI.

Young writer from Pavilion pens her first novel

By Alecia Kaus

From the time Hannah Smart was 4 years old she was writing stories and making books with the help of her mother.

"She would sit down, draw pictures, and tell me what they were in sequence. I would then write the words," Renee Smart said. "We would then read them for bedtime stories."

A 10th-grader at Pavilion High School, Hannah began her science fiction novel "Corona" two years ago. Her goal has always been to publish the story from the beginning.

"I knew what the ending was going to be before writing the book," Hannah said. "It was easier this way. I know how the characters will then effect the plot line."

Her goal since she was eight was to write a book. She loves anything science fiction. The "X-Files" and "Star Trek Next Generation" television series are just two of her favorites.

After staying home sick from school one day, Hannah decided to watch "2001: A Space Odyssey" from beginning to end. She said this 1968 epic science fiction film motivated her to write "Corona."

"I thought of a bunch of ideas for characters after seeing the movie," she said.

Hannah's father, Ed Smart, who is an architect, said his daughter started out with imaginary friends as a child. She would construct stories around them.

"She has always been very self-motivated and driven," Ed said. "She approached this with advanced discipline for her age."

"We noticed a turning point in her a year ago," Renee said. "She was able to be more self-critical and acccept criticism. She was willing to change and edit things."  

After her manuscript was complete, Hannah shopped it around to a few publishing agents but was told you have to be published before they will even look at it. 

Hannah did not get discouraged.

She looked into self-publishing her book with Createspace.

Createspace gives budding authors the tools and resources they need to self-publish and distribute their book to readers.

"Corona" is a 204-page paperback that Hannah self-published Dec. 8, 2012, and it is available on Amazon.com and Createspace. You can also go to  www.hannahsmartauthor.blogspot.com.

"My main goal is to get this published," she said.

"I want to keep writing -- it's something I love -- but I would like to be a film director. It combines both writing and pictures. You can bring it to life visually. "

A lot of creativity runs through the Smart family.

Coming up behind Hannah is her 13-year-old sister, Gabby, who is in eighth grade. She loves singing.

And Hannah's mother, Renee, is an artist and owner of Moon Java Cafe on Harvester Avenue. She says it's important to take cues from your kids: Let them take control when they need to and try not to be too pushy.

Rollover accident with injury Route 63 Pavilion

By Alecia Kaus

A rollover accident on Route 63 near Telephone Road in Pavilion has been reported. Believed to be with minor injury.

Pavilion Fire Department is on scene and a Mercy medic is responding.

UPDATE 8:21 a.m.: Mercy medic transporting one to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Pole and power lines lines down in Pavilion

By Alecia Kaus

A tractor-trailor has taken down some power lines and sheared the utility pole near 532 Peoria Road, close to Boyd Road. This is by M&T Trucking.

The truck is tangled in the wires. Boyd Road is blocked.

Pavilion fire responding.

UPDATE 7:25 a.m.: Pavilion chief on scene. National Grid has been notified. No ETA given. Pole across the street is also involved.

UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: School being advised of the situation. Will have to change the bus route. Phone lines are also down.

UPDATE 8:07 a.m.: Pavilion fire clearing the scene. National Grid working on the lines. Boyd Road still blocked.

Burglar caught in the act on Summit Street faces prison term after guilty plea

By Howard B. Owens

A Le Roy resident caught in the act of a residential burglary in Batavia while under surveillance by police detectives has accepted a plea deal that could send him to prison from five to 15 years.

Russell P. Cessna, 24, of 18 Pleasant St., Le Roy, came under suspicion following a tip to local law enforcement, who began monitoring his activities. 

He was a suspect in a number of burglaries in Le Roy, Stafford Pavilion and Batavia.

After Cessna broke into a house on Summit Street, he was apprehended.

Today, Cessna entered a guilty plea to two counts of burglary in the second degree in satisfaction of all 15 charges against him. The charges included burglary, grand larceny, criminal mischief and petit larceny.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 31.

Motor-vehicle accident in Pavilion

By Alecia Kaus

A Mercy medic ambulance and the Pavilion Fire Department are responding to a one-car accident on Starr Road, near Route 63 in Pavilion.

One person is complaining of a leg injury.

UPDATE 7:58 p.m.: E.M.T. on scene says the patient will be signing off. Mercy medic is back in service.

Law and Order: Pair of mothers on Lewis Place accused of leaving children home alone

By Howard B. Owens

Christina M. Sanchez-Anderson, 24, of 2 Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Sanchez-Anderson is accused of leaving her two children at home alone and unsupervised. Her 3-year-old was allegedly found at 9:58 a.m., Saturday, outside and not wearing any shoes. Sanchez-Anderson was jailed on $2,500 bail. Department of Social Services assisted in the case.

Ashley M. Kreutz, 25, of 10 Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged endangering the welfare of a child. Kreutz allegedly left her two children unsupervised for more than four hours Saturday morning. One child was transported to UMMC for a medical evaluation. Kreutz was jailed on $5,000 bail. Department of Social Services assisted in the case.

Eric J. Bratcher, 24, of 7 1/2 South St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd. Attica PD responded to a report of a complaint of noise and underage drinking at an address on Washington Avenue, Attica, and Bratcher allegedly gave police officers a false name. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Wendi L. Provost, 37, of 19 Riverside Parkway, Massena, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, driving without headlights and failure to keep right. Provost was stopped 1:10 a.m. on West Main Street by Officer Eric Bolles.

Bryan Pettinella, 27, of131 Bank St,, Apt. A, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. During a verbal argument, Pettinella allegedly punched the car of another person causing damage.

Curtis J. Doward, 18, of 25 Ganson Ave., Batavia, is charged with two counts of failure to appear as directed, criminal contempt, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child (second two counts are warrants). Doward turned himself in to Batavia PD on a failure-to-appear warrant. He was jailed on $2,500 bail on each count.

Christopher W. Cummings, 33, of 19 Cherry St., Batavia, is charged with coercion, 2nd, aggravated harassment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Related to a domestic incident, Cummings allegedly sent numerous unwanted text messages in an attempt to compel or induce the victim to engage in conduct she had the legal right to abstain from, thereby threatening her. Cummings is also accused of spitting on the victim.

Christopher W. Colantonio, 23, of 110 South Swan St., Batavia, is charged with a violation of probation. Colantonio was taken into custody by the Probation Department for an alleged violation of probation.

Pavel V. Yefremenko, 24, of 8 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, speeding and consumption of alcohol in a vehicle. Yefremenko was stopped at 1:27 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street, Batavia, by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Kayla Marie Baker, 22, of Union Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Baker is accused of stealing more than $900 in merchandise from Target over a several month period.

Howard Clarance Schultz, 54, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant out of Greece, for aggravated harassment, 2nd. Schultz was located during an incident at 8798 Keeney Road, Le Roy, reported at 9:51 p.m., Friday.  Friday's incident remains under investigation.

Joshua James Burns, 26, of North Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with stalking, 4th. Burns is accused of sending a text message to another person after being warned by law enforcement to cease all contact with the person.

Philip Chase Smith, 28, of South Old Wire Road, North Carolina, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and obstructed license plate. Smith was stopped at 11:05 p.m. Friday, on Route 5, Batavia, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Jason Lee Perry, 18, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Perry is accused of violating an order of protection barring him from offensive conduct toward a family member.

David Bernard Marsceill, 35, of Old Ford Road, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, strangulation, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 3rd. Marsceill is accused of choking another person during a domestic incident, causing that person to lose consciousness, of damaging a vehicle during the incident and possessing brass knuckles on two separate occasions.

Randy Lee Smith, 55, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Smith is accused of stealing railroad tie plates located in the CSX Railroad right of way in the area of Route 19, Village of Bergen.

Russell P. Cessna, 24, of Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd. Cessna was arrested by State Police in connection with a burglary reported in the Town of Stafford on July 28. No further details released.

Jimmy R. Wenzel, 26, of Wyoming, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Wenzel was arrested by State Police in connection with an alleged incident reported at 2:45 a.m., Saturday, in Pavilion. No further details released.

Law and Order: Bethany resident accused of taking sledgehammer to car

By Howard B. Owens

Steven Leo Decker, 62, of Francis Road, Bethany, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Decker is accused of breaking out the windows of a victim's vehicle with a sledgehammer. The incident was reported at 7:53 p.m., Tuesday.

Chad M. Johnston, 26, of 111 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Johnston is accused of punching another person in the head at 5:15 p.m., Tuesday.

Douglas G. Bryant Jr., 41, of 1 Florence Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Bryant is accused of threatening another person and spitting on that person and throwing food at that person. Bryant was jailed on $500 bail.

Sean P. Case, 25, 47 of Washington Ave., Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd, and assault, 3rd. Case is accused of punching a person in the face and breaking his nose during an incident at 6:50 a.m., Jan. 1, at a residence on South Main Street, Batavia. He is accused of injuring another person who attempted to intervene. Case, arrested Tuesday, was jailed without bail pending his next court appearance.

Jason Lee Perry, 18, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with sexual misconduct. Perry is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Michael Steven Bennett, 31, of Columbus Avenue, Mt. Morris, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay fine. Bennett is being held on an unrelated matter in the Livingston County Jail. He was released to the custody of the Sheriff's Office for arraignment in Genesee County Court and then returned to Livingston County.

Law and Order: Rochester resident arrested on charges in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Dominique L. Clyburn, 22, of 142 Saxton St., Rochester, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Clyburn was taken into custody by Rochester PD on an arrest warrant out of Batavia City Court and turned over to Batavia PD. Clyburn was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Elizabeth Ann Bucci, 58, of Prestige Crossing, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Bucci is accused of placing a phone call to a person she was ordered not to contact.

Casey Thomas Sutherland, 22, of Westside Drive, Churchville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Sutherland was allegedly found in possession of a small amount of marijuana during a traffic stop by Deputy Jason Saile at 9:20 p.m. Friday on Route 262, Byron.

Jonathan Christopher Pestillo, 18, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Pestillo is accused of shoplifting from Target on Dec. 16 and Dec. 19.

Jessie Marie Miles, 49, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Miles is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Jason L. Perry, 18, of Pavilion, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving without a license. Perry was arrested by State Police on an alleged incident reported at 2:32 p.m. Thursday in Pavilion.

Westbound Route 20 at T-Town briefly shut down to remove disabled big rig

By Billie Owens

In order to safely upright and remove a tractor-trailer that slid off the road on Wednesday on Route 20 east west of Transit Road, all westbound traffic is being shut down briefly at Route 20 at Texaco Town. The towing company estimates it will take about 15-20 minutes to accomplish the job. A fire police crew is asked to assemble in Bethany's fire hall and a fire police detail from Pavilion will handle traffic at the scene.

UPDATE 8:23 p.m.: Route 20 is reopened to westbound traffic.

Volunteers respond to Christmas Eve house fire in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Multiple fire companies responded to a house fire at 10122 South Street, Pavilion, following a reported structure fire at 9:06 p.m.

Callers reported seeing flames coming out of the garage and spreading toward the house, according to Emergency Dispatch.

There was nobody home at the time the fire was reported.

The fire is now contained and mutual aid companies are going back in service.

Responding were Pavilion, Le Roy, South Byron, Stafford, Caledonia, York, Bethany and Alexander. Bergen was called to fill in at Le Roy's hall and Wyoming filled in for Pavilion. City of Batavia's Fast Team also responded.

Mercy EMS and Le Roy's ambulance also provided scene support, along with Emergency Management Services.

State Police also responded to the scene.

PHOTOS: By Jay Lynch.  More photos available on Jay's web site.


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Driver injured in accident on Perry Road overnight

By Howard B. Owens

Charges are pending against a 24-year-old driver involved in an overnight accident on Perry Road, Pavilion, who was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The medical condition of Ronald J. Tombari III, of Court Road, Pavilion, wasn't immediately available this morning during his transfer from the emergency room to another floor.

The accident report indicates he suffered a broken or dislocated hip or upper leg and was in shock and the time of the flight to Strong.

His passenger, Richard M. Sepor, 21, of Transit Road, Stafford, suffered minor injuries and was taken by ground ambulance to Strong.

Sepor is the registered owner of the 2002 GMC pickup Tombari was reportedly driving.

The truck was reportedly southbound on Perry Road near York Road at 12:12 a.m. when it traveled off the east shoulder and hit a tree. The truck spun off the tree and came to a stop.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Frank Bordonaro and Deputy John Weis. Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS assisted at the scene.

Mercy Flight responds to two calls in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Mercy Flight was called on two separate incidents in Genesee County after midnight, Friday.

At about 12:15 a.m., a pickup truck reportedly hit a tree on Perry Road just north of York Road. There were two male occupants. One victim was able to get out of the vehicle, but the second victim required a Mercy Flight transport with a possible head injury.

Pavilion fire responded to the Perry Road accident.

At about 12:30 a.m., dispatchers received a report of a woman fallen on Pearl Street. Oakfield fire was dispatched and a short time later, requested Mercy Flight to the scene. A landing zone was set up at the school.

Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia responded to the Pavilion accident. Mercy Flight 7 out of Buffalo responded to Oakfield.

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