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Alfred State College announces Deans' List for the fall 2011 semester

By Billie Owens

Stephen J. Havlovic, vice president for academic affairs at Alfred State College, has announced the Deans' List of students for the fall 2011 semester.

Students from both the Alfred campus and the School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville are selected for the Deans' List if they maintain a 3.50 grade-point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0. The 4.0 GPA or straight "A" students are indicated with an asterisk (*).

The following Genesee County students were among those recognized:

Brandon Richardson, of Basom

*Nicole Binns, of Corfu

Ethan Willard, of Darien Center

*Kailynn Stacy,  of Elba

Nicholas Weibel, of Elba

*John Langdon, of Bergen

Quentin Humphrey, of Le Roy

Morgan Presher, of Le Roy

Edward Cigno, of Le Roy

*Christopher Locke, of Le Roy

*Christian Dermody, of Linwood

Thomas Parmenter, of Pavilion

Alfred State College offers associate degrees in 52 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.

One person injured in two car-crash on Route 20 on Sunday night

By Howard B. Owens

A driver reportedly failed to stop for a stop sign off Perry Road at Route 20 in Pavilion Sunday night, leading to a two-car collision that sent one person to the hospital.

Lee R. Broadwell, 59, of Sheldon Street, Castile, was reportedly south on Perry at 8:08 p.m., when his 2007 Dodge SUV allegedly went through the stop sign at Route 20.

Broadwell's vehicle struck a 2010 Chevy sedan driven by Donald R. Sweeney, 22, of Peck Road, Hilton.

Sweeney's passenger, Andrew V. Sweeney, 20, was injured and transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Pavilion Fire Department responded to the scene and extricated Andrew Sweeney from the car.

Neither Donald Sweeney, Broadwell nor Broadwell's passenger were injured.

The accident report does not indicate that a citation was issued.

The incident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl.

(Initial report)

Reader submitted photo.

Accident reported on Route 20 just west of Perry Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident, with one car rolling over, has been reported on Route 20 just west of Perry Road, Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire dispatched.

Law enforcement on scene requested that medics expediate their response. (Different call)

A chief on scene requests the status of Mercy Flight. Mercy Flight 2 is returning to Batavia from Buffalo and can be routed to the accident if necessary.

Patient is alert and conscious, but extrication will be required.

UPDATE 8:24 p.m.: One injury with complaint of neck and back pain, and three people who will probably not require ambulance transport.

UPDATE 8:28 p.m.: Pavilion command requests Mercy Flight continue to the scene.

UPDATE 8:35 p.m.: Landing zone being set up just south of the accident scene. Mercy Flight as a nine minute ETA. Patient extricated.

UPDATE  8:42 p.m.: Per a Mercy medic on scene, Mercy Flight can go back in service. The patient will be transported by ground ambulance.

UPDATE 9:01 p.m.: Pavilion fire back in service. One fire police remaining on scene to help with traffic control until the vehicles are towed away.

UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: Reader submitted photo added.


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SUNY Geneseo names eight local students to Deans' List

By Billie Owens

The State University of New York at Geneseo has announced its Deans' List for the fall semester 2011. To be on the list, a student must have achieved a 3.5 grade-point average while taking at least 12 credit hours.

Students on the list from this area are:

  • Clarisse Birkby, from Corfu
  • Alaina Chapman, from Corfu
  • Kelsey Scott, from Elba
  • Alex DiFrancisco, from Le Roy
  • Brittany Fiato, from Le Roy
  • Briana Pangrazio, from Le Roy
  • Hali Plummer, from Le Roy
  • Cory Green, from Pavilion

SUNY Geneseo is a public liberal arts college recognized nationally for excellence in undergraduate education and for its professional and master's level programs. The college combines a rigorous curriculum and a rich co-curricular life to create a learning-centered environment.

Horse rescue owner diagnosed with cancer, 18 horses need new homes immediately

By Howard B. Owens

One of the owners or a horse rescue in Pavilion has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and the rescue must shut down immediately.

The owners need to quickly find new homes for 18 horses and are turning to the public for help.

Chris Dodge said she has contacted other rescues, let other stables and vets know about the situation, but "there's no room at the inn."

"We have to turn to the public," Dodge said. "If somebody wanted a horse in the spring, don't wait until the spring, take it now."

Chris' husband Mike has stage 4 cancer, Chris said. He's undergoing intensive chemotherpy and radiation treatment, but has been given seven- to nine-months to live.

The cancer has wrapped around his heart, trachea and is in his liver. It was first discovered in his pelvis after he fell recently while feeding the cats and broke his pelvis.

The rescue is doing well enough financially right now, Chris said, but she simply has no time now to properly care for the horses. She and Mike must make frequent trips to the doctors and he needs care when they are home.

"We have some wonderful volunteers, but they're inexperienced," Chris said. "The horses are getting fed and the stables are getting mucked, but that's about it."

The rescue will still require the same standards for placement of horses that they always have, but the contract is being modified to take out the return policy. There will be no returns on any horses adopted.

To make an appointment at the rescue to view the animals and consider an adoption, call (585) 584-8210.

Previously: Horse rescue in Pavilion carries on in difficult times

Photo: Mike Dodge from September of this year.

Two runners from Genesee County capture state titles in cross-country

By Howard B. Owens

Updated Sunday, 11:02 a.m.

Liz Valento, Pavilion, and Jeffrey Antolos, Notre Dame, were given a big welcome home tonight at Route 20 and Route 19, Pavilion, as they returned from the state cross-country championship.

Liz and Jeffrey won their respective races to claim state titles in Verona on Saturday.

Friends, family and volunteer firefighters turned out to greet them and the Pavilion Volunteer Fire Department escorted them down the remainder of Route 19 to Pavilion.

Prints of these three photos can be purchased by clicking here.

Andrew Fisher, left, Notre Dame; Liz Valento, Pavilion; Jeffery Antolos, Notre Dame; Ethan Richardson, Pavilion.

Photos and captions below submitted by Bare Antolos.

ND's Jeffrey Antolos entered the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill HS football stadium for the final 150 yards of the Class D State Championship race about a half step behind Eldred HS's Alex Campenalla. But as they sprinted to the finish, Jeffrey was able to pass and hold off his opponent to win the first-ever Individual State Championship for Notre Dame HS! Jeffrey's 1.5-second victory was the narrowest margin of the four Boys' State Championship races of the day.

After battling with many runners who pushed her to stay in the lead over the first two miles of the championship race, Liz was able to pull away and win by a 24-second margin to win Pavilion's first-ever individual state championship.

Rain and snow on Friday, combined with seven earlier races, turned many sections of the course into a muddy mess that challenged the girls to maintain their footing and keep up their speed to finish a memorable day in Verona.

More pictures and information after the jump (click on the headline above to see the others).

Notre Dame ninth-grader Anna Warner finishes at the Class D State Championship in 22:13 good for a 13th-place finish.

Notre Dame senior Andrew Fischer leads Pavilion's Ethan Richardson during the Class D State Championship race in Verona. Fischer finished 29th with a time of 19:07; Richardson finished 36th in 19:25.

Batavia's Colin Mulcahy competes in the Class B State Championship race. He finished 75th in 18:44.

Notre Dame junior Jeffrey Antolos and Pavilion senior Elizabeth Valento show they're number one after both became the first athletes at their respective high schools to ever win individual state championships.

York Road resident returns home to find alleged burglars in driveway, gives chase

By Howard B. Owens

When a Pavilion resident of York Road returned home about 4 p.m., Friday, he found a light-colored minivan parked in his driveway and unknown man sitting in the driver's seat.

As he pulled into the driveway, the van took off.

The homeowner followed the van and called police.

Troopers and Sheriff's deputies from Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties converged on the area. The State Police also brought in their helicopter to assist in the pursuit.

The suspect vehicle was stopped on Route 246 in Covington. 

Arrested were Alexis Santiago, 34, of Columbus Avenue, Mt. Morris, and Roman E. Esparza, 22, of South Main Street, Batavia.

Santiago and Esparza were both charged with burglary, 2nd, and jailed on $100,000 bail each.

The two men may be suspects in a series of other burglaries in a three-county area.

As the suspects fled the York Road residence, the men tossed items from the window of the minivan that were allegedly stolen from the house they had just left. The York Road homeowner later identified the items as his. 

Once stopped, Santiago and Esparza were arrested without incident and the van was seized pending investigators receiving a search warrant for the van and its contents.

The case remains under investigation and, because the two men may be suspects in other burglaries, the Sheriff's Office is asking that anybody who might have information that could aid the investigation to call (585) 343-5000. For tips in Livingston or Wyoming counties, callers should contact their local Sheriff departments.

Photos: Top, Esparza; bottom, Santiago.

Burglary suspects arrested in Pavilion after multi-agency manhunt

By Howard B. Owens

Two burglary suspects are in custody in Pavilion after a manhunt by multiple law enforcement agencies and use of the State Police helicopter.

The call started late this afternoon when York Road residents came home and found the suspects in their driveway.

The door to their house may have been kicked in.

Details are incomplete at this time.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is handling the case.

Area residents report seeing multiple Sheriff's and trooper cars in the area as well as use of the State Police helicopter.

Area barns and garages were searched during the manhunt.

Details have not yet been released on how or where the suspects were caught.

One area resident said there has been a series of burglaries in the area recently. That hasn't been confirmed with law enforcement and it's unknown if this case is related to previous cases.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Law and Order: Worker accused of stealing CO detector from home where he was employed

By Howard B. Owens

William Lee Lantz, 25, of South Main Street, Castile, is charged with petit larceny. Lantz is accused of stealing a CO detector from a residence in Stafford where he had been working.

Albert Ackerman, 47, of 930 George St., Mumford, is charged with DWI, driving on a suspended registration, driving on a suspended driver's license and operating with an open container. Ackerman was stopped by a Le Roy police officer at 11:50 a.m., Sunday, for an alleged traffic violation at Main and Mill streets. Ackerman was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Angel Gregory Andujar, 26, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana. Andujar was allegedly found in possession of metal knuckles and a small baggie of marijuana while walking on Perry Road. Andujar was reportedly walking away from a domestic incident involving family members.

Thomas Ralph, Gianvecchio, 60, of Mountain Ash Drive, Greece, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Gianvecchio is accused of writing letters to his estranged wife in violation of a protection order out of Monroe County Family Court.

Jason W. Killion, 30, of 5155 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and failure to keep right. Killion was stopped at an unspecified time Tuesday on Ellicott Street at Swan Street by Lt. James Henning.

Nathan Michael Haag, 20, of Steel Circle, Niagara Falls, is charged with petit larceny. Haag is accused of stealing two bottles of 5 Hour Energy Drink from Kmart on Monday.

Justin R. Martin, 28, of 232 Henrietta St., Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and passing a red light. Martin was stopped at 2:27 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street at Oak Street, Batavia, by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Mathew J. Pentycote, 23, of 22 Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal of breath test and moving from lane unsafely. Pentycote was stopped at 1:16 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street, by Officer Matthew Fleming.

A 17-year-old resident of 5270 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. The youth's car, while parked on school property, was allegedly found to contain alcoholic beverages.

Jason L. Cramer, 27, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, improper right turn and failure to keep right. Cramer was stopped at 1:02 a.m., Sunday, on Elm Street, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Gloria Susan Moretti, 34, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, a felony, and harassment, 2nd. Moretti was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute at 2:10 a.m., Oct. 29, at an address on Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, in which Moretti allegedly bit the victim twice and caused heavy damage to the victim's parked vehicle.

Devontre Levar Harvey, 27, of Garfield Street, Rochester, is charged with illegal possession of untaxed cigarettes. Harvey's car was stopped on Route 77 at 2:46 p.m., Nov. 5, after Genesee County dispatchers received a tip from a caller that a car occupied by two males were in possession of a large amount of untaxed cigarettes. Also charged was Holsey Wedlow, 59, of South Avenue, Rochester.

Scott Howard Baker, 49, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Baker was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at 3:08 a.m., Nov. 5, at an address on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

Gregory James Baker, 31, no permanent address, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Baker was allegedly found in possession of more than a dozen hypodermic needles and other paraphernalia while at his mother's residence.

James Anthony Dean, 54, of Brown Road, East Bethany, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater with one or more prior convictions), leaving the scene of a property damage accident, changing lanes when hazardous markings are in place and failure to keep right. Dean was arrested following an accident at 8:41 a.m., Nov. 2, on Herkimer Road, Darien.

Brush fire reported off Junction Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A brush fire has been reported in the area of 7116 Junction Road, Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire Department is dispatched along with mutual aid from Le Roy and York.

The fire is "in some cattails and leaves back in the woods," a first responder says. 

The fire will need to be fought by hand, the responder reports.

UPDATE 3:18 p.m.: Stafford's brush truck requested to the scene.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: Deputy requested to the scene to talk with the homeowner about burn laws.

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: York can stand down.

UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: Stafford can go back in service.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: Fire mostly out, but quite a few hot spots left.


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Shotguns reportedly stolen from home in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Local law enforcement is looking for information regarding a daytime burglary Wednesday in Pavilion.

Two shotguns and a television were stolen sometime between 6:20 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Similar burglaries have been reported within the past two weeks in Livingston County.

In the Pavilion case, the homeowner reported that somebody broke through his front door to gain entry to the house.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call Major Matt Burgess, State Police, at (585) 243-7100.

Pavilion grad awarded full two-year scholarship at GCC

By Billie Owens

Laura Beth Yuhnke's dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher have come one step closer to a reality thanks to the President's Scholarship from Genesee Community College. Laura Beth, a 2011 graduate of Pavilion High School was awarded the President's Scholarship covering the full cost of tuition for two years at GCC.

Laura Beth is the daughter of Dave and Betty Yuhnke of Wyoming, NY. She is 18 years old and a freshman student at GCC, studying education. She chose GCC because she wasn't sure of what school she wanted to attend to earn a bachelor's degree.

"This was a good decision because I'm not totally sure what four-year college I want to go to," Laura Beth said. "Plus it's more economical to start at GCC and transfer to another school, which is good because my family is quite large."

Laura Beth is one of six children and is the third Yuhnke to attend GCC. Her oldest brother Mark (23) and older sister Rachael (22) also attended GCC. Rachael Yuhnke was also a President's Scholarship recipient who studied Nursing while at GCC. She graduated in 2009 and is now a registered nurse (RN) in the Pediatric ICU of Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo, NY.

Laura Beth hopes to one day become an elementary school teacher with a concentration in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Her dream job would be teaching ESL to children in another country such as Brazil or any European country.

A highly decorated student, Laura Beth has been the recipient of several academic and community honors throughout her high school career. She is the recipient of the Community Foundation Award, Marsha Brooks Memorial Scholarship, Pavilion Alumni Association Award, Pavilion Faculty Association Scholarship, President's Education Award and the Warsaw Support Staff Association Scholarship. She was a member of the National Honor Society, a scholar athlete, SADD secretary, a member of the marching band and was ranked third in her graduating class. She most recently was awarded the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 193 Dana Fry Scholarship in 2011.

"GCC has always been committed to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence, attracting outstanding local students who exhibit exceptional talent and leadership potential in their home towns and high schools," Richard Ensman, executive director of the GCC foundation said. "Laura Beth is a prime example of local academic and community excellence."

The President's Scholarship provides full tuition at GCC to high school students from Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, and Orleans counties. President's Scholarships are given to students who have maintained high academic standards while in high school, and whose co-curricular efforts have formed the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of extraordinary achievement. Award-winners enjoy two years of tuition-free education at GCC, provided they meet and maintain eligibility requirements.

President's Scholarships are funded by generous contributions made to the GCC Foundation by individuals and businesses committed to excellence in education. It is the hope of the Foundation that scholarship recipients will remain committed to their quest for excellence during their college years and beyond, striving for the betterment of businesses and communities within the GLOW region.

Fire reported near woods off Big Tree Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A large plume of black smoke is reported across from 7653 Big Tree Road, near South Street Road. It is at the tree line at the back of the property and may be a controlled burn. It is believed to be tires burning. Pavilion Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m.: The property owners are burning a bunch of brush and are keeping a close eye on it, said a firefighter on scene. Pavilion assignment is back in service.

Grand Jury Report: Two men accused of selling cocaine

By Billie Owens

The following indictments were issued last week by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Rodney A. Barber is charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, after he was allegedly found on March 17 to possess the narcotic cocaine with the intent to sell it. The location was 3967 W. Main St. in the Town of Batavia. He is also charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled subtance, 4th, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing cocaine which had an aggregate weight of an eighth of an ounce or more.

Mark C. Gregori is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, after he was allegedly found on Nov. 3, 2010 in the Town of Elba in possession of the narcotic cocaine with the intent to sell it.

Michael B. Pfaff is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, after he was allegedly found driving a 2008 Suburu on Myrtle Street in Le Roy on April 17 while intoxicated. He is also charged with one count of driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class E felony.

Thomas J. Torres is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, a Class D felony, after he was allegedly found driving a 2004 Chevrolet on Route 237 in Stafford while intoxicated on April 23. He is also charged with one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, also a Class D felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or greater.

Jamie L. Broadbent is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a Class E felony, for allegedly knowingly possessing stolen property with the intention of benefitting herself or a person other than the owner. She was allegedly found in possession of a public benefit card belonging to someone else while in the City of Batavia on May 9.

Chester L. Sherman II is charged with one count of driving a 1998 Chevy pickup truck while intoxicated and one count of driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. The charges stem from his arrest April 20 on Route 262 in Byron.

Jonathan J. Langenfeld is charged with one count of burglary in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, after he allegedly entered private property on Ellicott Street Road in Pavilion on April 17 with the intent to cause, then actually causing, physical injury to a person who was not a participant in the crime. He is also charged with burglary, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly entering private property with the intent to commit a crime. And he is charged with assault, 2nd, a Class D violent felony, for allegedly intending to seriously injure a person and then causing serious injury to that person.

Woman hospitalized after vehicle struck by semi at routes 63 and 20, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A pickup truck attempting to make a left turn from Route 20 onto Route 63 was struck head-on by a semi-truck heading southeast on Route 20 last night.

The 8:20 p.m. accident sent a woman to the hospital.

Pavilion Fire Department responded to the scene at 8:50 p.m. and extricated the female driver from the pickup truck. She complained of feeling dizzy and said she might have blacked out.

Brenda D. Baker, 48, of Nunda, was transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Baker was driving a 1997 Ford pickup.

Her truck was struck by a semi owned by Pavilion Drainage and being driven by Nathaniel D. Coral, 35, of Dodson Road, Wyoming.

The accident report does not list any citations.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Matthew Butler.

(Initial Report)

Truck vs. pickup accident reported in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

There's a truck vs. pickup truck accident in Pavilion. We don't have the exact location at the moment.

A person in the pickup truck will need to be extricated, but she is conscious and alert.

Mercy Flight is grounded due to weather.

Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:01 p.m.: The location is routes 63 and 20 and traffic is being shut down on both. The collision was head on.

UPDATE 9:09 p.m.: Victim extricated.

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