pembroke

Stella is only six months old and she's missing in East Pembroke.

She took off on her own at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday while at Crosby's in East Pembroke.

Stella is a Mastiff, weighs 70 pounds, and is described as "skittish."

She is wearing a pink collar. 

If you find her, call Jeff at 585-500-1436.

UPDATE June 27, 10:15 p.m.: Stella is found safe.  The owners were putting up a trail cam where she was last seen, and she walked up to them at that location.

Two young men were seriously injured on Thursday evening when their respective pickup trucks collided head-on in the area of 232 Main Road, Town of Pembroke at about 5:31 p.m.

Zachary Miller-Barillari, 19, of Williamsville, was airlifted by Mercy Flight to ECMC and Jacob Brainard, 25, of Browmansville, was transported by Mercy EMS to ECMC.  

According to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, the preliminary investigation indicates that Brainard was driving a 2019 Dodge Ram eastbound on Route 5, and Miller-Barillari was traveling west in a 2002 Ford F-350.

Brainard's vehicle was apparently in the middle of the roadway and took corrective action to get back into the eastbound lane of travel. Miller-Barillari directed his pickup truck into the eastbound lane of travel. 

The two trucks collided head-on in the eastbound lane and then continued off the south shoulder of the road where they came to rest in a ditch.

Both operators required extrication from their vehicles.

Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls Fire responded to the scene along with Mercy EMS.  Corfu Fire assisted with traffic control and a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Crash Management Team.  Patrol officers assisted at the scene.

Previously: Accident reported on Main Road, Pembroke

Photos by Howard Owens.

A possible three-car accident is reported in the area of 249 Main Road, Pembroke.

It may be blocking.

Unknown injuries.

The caller was a passerby and not involved.

Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls Fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: A chief on scene reports, not blocking. Three vehicles. Debris in the roadway. Checking on injuries.

UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: Heavy extrication required with two vehicles. Corfu requested to the scene to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

Press Release:

The Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars will be announcing the receipt of a $300,000 donation (Vernon J. Rupert Memorial Endowment Scholarship) to our organization to support scholarships for graduating Pembroke students. 

The senior awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium. News information will be provided at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium by the Dollars for Scholars Board of Directors and school administration. 

Currently, the Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars (DFS) awards 24 scholarships to scholars annually. The addition of this new gift will allow us to more than double the financial awards to graduating students.

These new funds will be used to create and support FIVE- $5,000 annual awards for students pursuing trade school careers, 2-year associate degrees, and 4-year college or university studies.

In the last 14 years, the Corfu-Pembroke DFS chapter has awarded 186 scholars over $145,000 for college study. This year DFS is awarding $19,300 to graduating Pembroke seniors.

Residents from throughout Western New York gathered in Pembroke on Sunday to honor the nation's fallen heroes in a ceremony at the WNY National Cemetery.

Photos by Nicholas Serrata 

It's about sportsmanship. It's about understanding. It's about working together for a common goal. It's about giving opportunity to those who might not otherwise get an opportunity.

That's why Pembroke has, for the second season in a row, brought together a Unified Basketball team and held an Assembly Game at the end of the team's regular six-game schedule so the whole school can join in and cheer for fellow students who don't often get opportunities to hear the applause and pep songs rooting them on.

The Unified Basketball team is comprised of students with intellectual disabilities and students who do not have those disabilities so they can all enjoy competing together.

"I think it teaches them understanding," said Pembroke HS Principal Nathan Work, who is also one of the team's coaches. "I think it teaches them commitment. I think it teaches them to help one another."

The players on the unified team gain popularity during the season because of the recognition they get.  Their baskets after games are announced over the PA system at the school. They get to wear jerseys.  They know what it means to represent their classmates.

"It's palpable on campus," Work said. "You can feel it. Some of the students are mostly in self-contained classrooms, but they walk around the halls, and they're legends right there with the announcements of their scores.  You see the other players in the stands today. They're cheering for kids that otherwise wouldn't have a chance to wear the Pembroke uniform or the Pembroke colors."

On Thursday, the Unified Dragons played in front of the entire school against the City Honors Centaurs from Buffalo. The game had all the hoopla of a homecoming game with the pep band, cheerleaders, and the school's mascot.

Pembroke Superintendent Matthew Calderon said the Assembly Game is an amazing event.

"It's one of those events that you root for both sides, no matter what happens," Calderon said. "You know, kids with special needs are important. We're happy that we've got some people willing to invest the time and make this happen for them."

Right now, Pembroke competes against teams from Section VI because there aren't enough schools in Section V participating in this program of the Special Olympics.  He's hoping that will change.  Work and the other coaches recently made a presentation about the program to Genesee Valley BOCES, and Calderon said he thinks other schools in Genesee County are considering forming united basketball teams.

"Because of Pembroke's leadership, other teams are getting interested," Calderon said. "Hopefully, if every school in  Genesee County gets involved, we could be closer together and play each other and have like a Genesee Region League.  I think that could happen in a couple of years."

Photos by Howard Owens.

A two-vehicle accident is reported at Route 77 and Indian Falls Road, Pembroke.

One vehicle rolled over but the occupant is reportedly out of that vehicle.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 8:31 a.m.: Minor injuries. All occupants out of the vehicles.

The latest attempt by Scott F. Doll to get his 2010 conviction for murder overturned has failed to persuade another judge and his appeal based on what his attorney claimed was new evidence has been denied.

Attorney Michael S. Deal, from the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, filed a motion to overturn the conviction earlier this year. A hearing on his motion was heard by Judge Sanford A. Church on March 10.

Deal argued that he had uncovered new evidence related to the failure of the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office to collect fingernail scrapings from Doll's victim, Joseph Benaquist, and new DNA tests of people who might have had access to the murder scene should lead to Doll's conviction being overturned and a new trial granted.

Church ruled that the defendant did not present a factual assertion that the two pieces of "newly discovered evidence" could not have been available for the 2010 trial. 

"As discussed below, a sound defense trial strategy could have been to avoid further scientific testing and emphasizing the prosecution's failure to test some evidence," Church wrote. "The defense was aware, for example, of the drops of blood on the victim's boot before trial and that it had not be subjected to DNA profiling. All they had to do was ask that it be tested."

The defense could have also asked that fingernail scrapings be tested.  If the defense had made the request, the attorneys would have learned that clippings and scrapings had not been collected.

As for a bit of third-party DNA found on the victim's boot, that evidence could have been available at trial, Sanford said. There were photographs available to the defense that showed a possible bloodstain on the victim's boot.  The defense, he said, could have insisted that the bloodstain be tested.

Prior court rulings have found that for evidence to be considered "new" in an appeal, it must be evidence that could not have been discovered by the defense through diligence. 

It's also not readily apparent that the DNA comparisons would change the outcome of the trial, Sanford ruled.

For these reasons, Doll has failed to prove that his "new evidence" could not have been discovered before trial.

Church, an Orleans County judge, heard the appeal because Genesee County Court Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini formerly worked for the Genesee County District Attorney's Office and had been involved in prior appeals, so she had a conflict of interest.

Doll was sentenced to 15 years to life for the 2009 murder of Benaquist. He has consistently maintained his innocence since his arrest.

On the night of Feb. 16, 2009, Doll was found walking in Pembroke in blood-soaked clothing by a deputy and questioned.  Due to the suspicious nature of his appearance and a van he identified himself as operating earlier in the evening, he was questioned by investigators who feared there was a seriously hurt or dead person in the area.  Those emergency circumstances allowed investigators wide leeway in questioning Doll and searching for a possible victim. Several hours later, Benaquist's badly beaten body was found in the driveway of his home in Pembroke.

Benaquist and Doll, a prison guard, had been partners in a used car business.

For all of The Batavian's prior coverage of Scott Doll, click here.

Brayden Smith pitched a complete-game, five-inning shutout on Monday to help lead Oakfield -Alabama over Pembroke 10-0.

Pembroke managed only three hits.

Smith struck out 10 hitters and walked two.

Bodie Hyde was 2-2 with five RBIs.  Cole Kornow had two hits, scored twice, and drove in a pair of runs. Seth Gibson walked three times and scored three runs.

Photo by Kristin Smith.

Brittany L. Richway, 32, of Syracuse, and Angel M. Scott, 34, of Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Richway and Scott are accused of stealing from a location in the Town of Batavia at 7:46 p.m. on May 11. They were arrested by the State Police and released on an appearance ticket.  No further information was released.

Michael R. Vickery, 45, of Lackawanna, is charged with petit larceny. Vickery is accused of stealing from a location in the Town of Batavia at 12:52 p.m. on May 10.  He was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket.  No further information was released.

Daniel Stevens, 49, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Stevens is accused of stealing from a location in the Town of Batavia on May 8 at 9:46 a.m. Stevens was released by State Police and released on an appearance ticket. No further information was released.

Cody Middlebrooks, 32, of Akron, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Middlebrooks is accused of damaging property in the Town of Alabama on May 9 at 4:15 a.m.  He was arrested by State Police. His release status is unknown. No further information was released.

Tony Robert Graber, 44, of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Graber is accused of violating a complete stay-away order of protection on May 5 in the Town of Batavia. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail, arraigned, and released on bail.

Jacob W. Patterson, 27, of Kilian Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, obstructing governmental administration and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. Patterson was arrested after officers William Yung and John Gombos were dispatched to a gas station on East Main Street on April 24 to check on a report of an intoxicated driver. Patterson allegedly tried to run from officers before being subdued and apprehended.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jordan E. Hamilton, 26, of Baker Road, Kent, is charged with tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a controlled substance.  Hamilton was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle at a gas station on East Main when Officer William Yung dispatched on April 24 to check on a report of an intoxicated driver. Hamilton was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Tonya Marie Ficarella, 36, of Lovers Lane, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Ficarella is accused of stealing merchandise from a store on Veterans Memorial Drive at 1:44 p.m. on May 2. The Sheriff's Office withheld the name and address of the store. Ficarella was issued an appearance ticket. UPDATE: The Sheriff's Office has released that the location was Walmart.

Jaime Leigh Ayala, 43, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Ayala is accused of entering a store where a protected party worked at 8:28 a.m. on May 2. Ayala was released on an appearance ticket.

Jakob Neale Abrams, 18, of Indian Falls Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, driving while using a mobile phone, failure to keep right. Abrams was reportedly involved in a property damage accident at 1:59 a.m. on April 30 on Harper Road, Darien. He was arrested following an investigation by deputies Ayrton Blankenburg and Jeremiah Gechell.

Christopher John Gulczewski, 33, of Thomas Street, Holley, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Gulczewski is accused of threatening to kill a mother in front of her children at 3:20 p.m. on May 3 at a location on South Main Street in Elba.  He was held pending arraignment.

Jerrol Paul Newell, 53, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd.  Newell was arrested while incarcerated in Genesee County Jail for an incident reported at 2:29 p.m. on May 2. The nature of his alleged offense was not released by the Sheriff's Office. He was arraigned and remanded back to the custody of the jail.

Auntunez Jaime Antunez, 35, of Dewey Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and speeding. Antunez was stopped at 11:25 p.m. on May 5 by Deputy Ryan Mullen on Route 33 in Batavia. He was issued and appearance ticket.

Danielle Florance Reed, 34, of Standart Woods, Auburn, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speeding, failure to dim lights, and moving from lane unsafely. Reed was stopped at 1:50 a.m. on May 7 on Route 20 in Pavilion by Deputy Zachary Hoy.

Casey T. Vaughn, 33,of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd, strangulation 2nd, criminal mischief 4th and aggravated family offense. He is also charged with criminal mischief 4th and criminal tampering 3rd. Vaughn allegedly struck another person and broke a mirror on April 28 during a disturbance at a location on East Main Street, Batavia. That same day, while in custody, Vaughn allegedly spit on a wall, floor, bench, and desk in an interview room at the Batavia police station. He is also accused of pulling molding off the wall.  On the first set of charges, he was ordered held on $10,000 bail. On the second set, he was issued an appearance ticket.

Cassandra F. Smith, 37, of Manhattan Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on four warrants issued by Batavia City Court. Smith was first arrested on April 8 on two counts of petit larceny after she allegedly stole property from different yards on Manhattan Avenue. On April 14, Smith allegedly committed criminal tampering and trespass at a residence on Ross Street by being on the property after being trespassed earlier by police and throwing garbage/other items at the residence.  A warrant was requested.  On April 23, Smith allegedly trespassed again at the residence on Ross Street and was captured on Ring cam.  A warrant was requested. 

Tanika N. Avant, 21, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Avant is accused of being involved in a disturbance on April 28 at an undisclosed location and engaging in a physical altercation with another person. During the course of the altercation, he allegedly struck a juvenile. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

James T. Hardaway, 39, of Utica Street, Brockport, is charged with speeding, unlicensed operation, and DWI. Hardaway was stopped on April 30 on Clinton Street, Batavia, by Officer Joseph Weglarski. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Misty R. Scutt, 34, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Scutt was the subject of a traffic stop by Officer Joseph Weglaski on Jan. 28 in the City of Batavia and arrested on April 28 following the return of a lab analysis of a blood sample. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Hunter M. Passage, 22, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with no headlamps, speed in zone, and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Passage was stopped at a gas station on West Main Street, Batavia, by Sgt. Mitch Cowen on April 27. He was issued an appearance ticket.

A van has reportedly left the roadway and struck a tree in the area of mile marker 404.6 in the eastbound lane of the Thruway.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke Fire, Indian Falls FIre, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 1:50 a.m.: No injuries. 

A vacant lot on Snipery Road in Pembroke is up for sale, but a search and survey process recently uncovered a surprise 133 years in the making.

As it turns out, a small portion of the property’s northwest corner is part of the tax map — but it is not part of the title.

This is according to the minutes of last week’s Pembroke Town Board meeting.

“Search work was done on this little parcel, and a deed was discovered from 1890 showing ownership to the Highway Commissioners of the Town of Pembroke,” according to the minutes.

“There was no other title or deed found moving the property out of the hands of the Highway Commissioners of the Town of Pembroke. We checked all public records, and due to the time frame, there are no records on file of the town owning the property and no board minutes since the Town Board minutes don’t begin until 1911.”

Board members were also informed that the current adjoining property owner has paid taxes on the property for an undisclosed number of years. To clear up the search and survey, and deed, the town must sell the property back to the adjoining property owner for a nominal fee.

Town Supervisor Thomas Schneider Jr. will speak with Town Assessor Tina Rados at an undisclosed time to get a value. Board members must pass a resolution by permissive referendum to finalize the sale, according to the minutes.

According to a recently filed lawsuit, four Pembroke residents lived in the same home on Scribner Road, but it fell into a sinkhole, allegedly due to activities at the nearby Akron Quarry.

Those people — Gene and Tracy Nati, as well as Daniel and Brittany Hill — had no choice but to abandon their house. They recently filed a lawsuit against the Town of Pembroke and Erie and Genesee counties. The four said those town and county leaders committed negligence. The Hills and the Natis want more than $1 million in damages.

The lawsuit said those local leaders oversaw the quarry and expanded the scope and frequency of its operations, “including the drawdown of groundwater and blasting,” even knowing they could damage private properties.

“On August 7, 2022, claimants heard cracking and popping sounds at approximately 6:30 a.m. Claimants then noticed the windows and doors in their home would not open or shut properly. They discovered cracking in their land, driveway, and foundation, and they observed that the home appeared to be sinking into the earth,” according to their lawsuit.

“Accordingly, claimants notified the authorities, and the Town of Pembroke condemned the home as unfit for occupancy. It is no longer safe for residential purposes. As a result of the towns' and/or counties' negligence and reckless conduct in permitting the expansion and continuation of the quarry's activities, the whole or in part, a direct and proximate result of the negligent and reckless acts of the towns, counties, their agents, and/or employees.”

The four Pembroke residents said their property suffered severely reduced property values and other damages that they believe exceed $1 million.

Buffalo attorneys Thomas D. Lyons and Charles C. Ritter, Jr. represent the four Pembroke residents.

Pembroke Town Board members discussed the lawsuit at last Thursday’s regularly scheduled board meeting — but only behind closed doors.

“Due to pending litigation, no further discussion will be held in open forum,” the meeting’s minutes read.

The Batavian’s attempts on Monday to contact Pembroke officials about the lawsuit were unsuccessful.

Photos: File photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

There is a vehicle into the median in the area of mile marker 402, eastbound, on the Thruway.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls fire departments, along with Mercy EMS responding.

Submitted story and photos.

The Elba/OA Lancers got off to a strong start with a 192-286 win over the visiting Pembroke Dragons at Batavia Country Club on Thursday.

Elba/OA senior Jake Walczak earned medalist honors with a round of 40, while  Elba/OA freshman Eli Loysen (46) and Jada Fite (48) both had strong rounds as well.

The Dragons were led by Cody Captain with a round of 56.

The Lancers are now 1-0 on the season, while the Dragons fall to 0-2.

Photo: Elba/OA Senior Jake Walczak teeing off 10 at Batavia CC

Yesterday's sunset in Indian Falls.

Photo by JoAnne Meiser.