Skip to main content

pembroke

Grand jury indicts man for alleged oral sexual conduct with person under 17

By Billie Owens

Here are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Kyle H. Morse is indicted on four counts, all stemming from alleged actions on Sept. 21, 2012 in the Town of Elba.

He is accused of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a class-B felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion.

In count two of the indictment, Morse is accused of sexual abuse in the first degree, a class-D violent felony, for allegedly subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion.

In count three, Morse is accused of criminal sexual act in the third degree, a class-E felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent. This alleged lack of consent was by reason of some factor other than incapacity to consent.

In count four, Morse is accused of sexual misconduct, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent, and the person was deemed incapable of consent by vurtue of being less than 17 years old.

John J. Slack and Penny S. Sprague are both indicted on two counts each stemming from alleged actions June 16-17, 2012 on Knowlesville Road in the Town of Alabama.

In count one, they are accused of second-degree burglary, a class-C violent felony, for allegedly  entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. In count two, they are accused of grand larceny in the third degree, a class-D felony, for allegedly stealing property having a value in excess of $3,000 -- in this case, jewelry, money, electonic devices and other property valued at about $11,000.

Franchesca A. Barrome is accused of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class-E felony. It is alleged that during Feb. 5-17, 2013, in the Town of Batavia she knowingly possessed stolen property with intent to benefit herself or a person other than the owner, or to impede recovery of the property by the owner. The property was a college ID card.

In count two of the indictment, Barrome is accused of petit larceny, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing property by using the ID card to make unauthorized purchases. In count three, she is accused of criminal trespass in the second degree, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling.

Gary W. Woronowski is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for allegedly operating a 2000 Subaru while intoxicated. This allegedly occurred Feb.1, 2013 on Main Road in the Town of Pembroke. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, as a class-E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

Woronowski is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2007 which is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in this indictment.

Chad M. Dart is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for driving a 2013 Chevy pickup on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford on March 10, 2013 while intoxicated. He is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2004, which is within 10 years of the crime alleged in the indicment.

Lastly, the Grand Jury returned a No Bill on DWI charges against Ronald J. Tombari III stemming from alleged incidents which occurred Dec. 12, 2012 in the Town of Pavilion.

Motorcycle crash at Brown and Simonds roads, Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at Brown and Simonds roads. The rider is conscious and alert but the bike is on top of him. Mercy Flight is on air standby. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

The subject is fully outfitted for riding. He's in water, his head is not.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Mercy Flight was called to the scene and has landed.

UPDATE 8:19 p.m.: The patient, who landed in a ditch, is now onboard the helicopter.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, but we don't know its destination.

UPDATE 8:35 p.m.: The East Pembroke assignment is back in service.

Law and Order: Pair of DWIs among reported arrests in county

By Howard B. Owens

Jeremy K. Hogeboom, 38, of South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, speed not reasonable nor prudent, failure to keep right and unlawful possession of marijuana. Hogeboom was stopped at 12:06 a.m. Friday on Phelps Road, Pembroke, by Deputy James Diehl.

Tyler J. Aina, 21, of 13929 Waterport Circle Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, driving left of pavement marketings and failure to stop at stop sign. Aina was stopped by Officer Darryle Streeter at 1:09 a.m. June 15 on Oak Street.

Derrick R. Kio, 22, of 5471 Hudson Road, Pavilion, is charged with disobeying mandate. Kio is accused of violating an order of protection by calling the protected person.

Keith B. Besaw, 42, of 61 1/2 North Lyon St., Batavia, is charged with operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. Besaw was taken into custody by Batavia PD on an arrest warrant issued in City Court.

Brad C. Doward, 23, of 10 Hall St., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Doward was allegedly involved in a domestic incident.

A 17-year-old resident of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of shoplifting $39.72 in merchandise from Walmart.

Debra M. Davis, 53, and Samantha B. Steiner, 22, both of 620 Yacht Club Drive, Machias, are charged with petit larceny. Davis and Steiner were arrested by State Police in connection with an alleged incident reported in the Town of Alabama in October. No further details released.

East Pembroke firefighters hosting fundraiser for 5-year-old with rare disorder

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department are organizing a fundraiser from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 30, to assist Trey.

The 5-year-old is the son of heather Gill Palandino and Donald Newton Jr. He is being treated for Chiari Malformation (Arnold-Chiari), is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine causing many symptoms.

Newton is chief of the department and Julie Waldron said department members are ever grateful for all he does for the community.

"Donald and his family do a lot for our fire department and community and we would love to give back to them at this time," Waldron said. "We could never thank him enough for everything he has done for our department, and Heather and Trey, as well. They are all always there when we need them. We are one big family and we are helping our brother, our leader and his family."

The fundraiser includes a chance auction and a chicken BBQ. Pre-sale tickets for the BBQ are $9 and are available on Monday evenings at the department or from members.

Law and Order: Reader tips lead to arrest of alleged 400 Towers bike thief

By Howard B. Owens

Joey A. Evans, 22, of 202 State St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Evans allegedly admitted to a theft of a bicycle from 400 Towers following several anonymous tips to police from readers of The Batavian.

Darrell Smith, 46, of 26 Queens Drive, West Seneca, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation. Smith is accused of grabbing a woman he knew by the throat.

Bill A. Thomas, 53, of 252 State St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct (creating a hazardous or offensive condition), disorderly conduct (obscene language/gestures) and open container. Thomas was arrested at 140 W. Main St., Batavia, for an alleged incident reported at 6:15 p.m., June 3, at 15 Main St., Batavia. No further details were released.

Danny J. Torok Jr., 26, of 3177 Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with burglary, 1st (use or threat of use of a dangerous instrument), criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, unlawful imprisonment, 1st, criminal contempt, 1st (violating an order of protection while using a weapon), and menacing, 2nd. Torok was taken into custody by Batavia PD on an arrest warrant. The alleged incident was reported at 1:30 a.m., May 16. He was jailed without bail. No further details were released.

Cherkiga Starks, 36, of 335 Bank St., Apt. A7, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The alleged incident occurred at 11:57 p.m., May 31. No further details were released.

Steven E. Wells, 51, of Macomber Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, operating without an interlock ignition device, and driver's view obstructed. Mary E. Wells, 51, of Macomber Road, Oakfield, is charged with facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation, David Daniels, 56, of Macomber Road, Oakfield, is charged with consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Steven Wells was stopped at 2:11 p.m., Sunday, on Slusser Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Chris Parker for allegedly driving with driver's view obstructed. Upon investigation, he was found to be allegedly driving drunk. Mary Wells is reportedly the registered owner of the vehicle and is accused of knowing Steven Wells did not have a valid driver's license. David Daniels was a passenger in the vehicle and was allegedly consuming alcohol while in the back seat.

Jason Leo Antos, 21, of Independence Avenue, Niagara Falls, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and unlawful dealing with a child. Antos is accused of unlawfully entering the campgrounds at Darien Lake Theme Park and supplying alcohol to a minor.

Joshua M. Gaudioso, 24, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with possession and transportation of more than 400 untaxed citgarettes. Gaudioso was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 5:43 p.m., Saturday, on West Main Street, Le Roy, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. During the stop, Gaudioso was allegedly found in possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and operating on a suspended registration.

Heather Jo Lehman, 20, of Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and unlawful possession of alcohol under age 21. Lehman was allegedly on Darien Lake Theme Park campgrounds property unlawfully and in possession of alcohol at 3:19 a.m., Sunday.

Jeffrey Scott Canale, 43, of Orchard Drive, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to reduce speed on curve, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to keep right. Canale was allegedly driving a 1999 BMW on Oatka Trail, Le Roy, at 2:13 a.m., when he was involved in a single-car accident.

Elizabeth Anne Weiner, 22, of Conkey Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Weiner was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic infraction June 2 by Deputy Patrick Reeves. She was allegedly found in possession of Ecstasy (MDMA) and marijuana.

Clifford Leo Regimbal, 34, of Granite Street, Webster, Mass., was arrested on bench warrants for alleged criminal possession of marijuana and unlawful growing of cannabis. Regimbal is being held on an unrelated matter after being returned to New York from Massachusetts, and was arrested on warrants out of Town of Alabama Court. He was also arrested on warrants out of Village of Corfu Court for alleged criminal use of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance, 7th.

Joel David Prouty, 27, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Prouty is accused of stalking and harassing a protected person in violation of a court order issued by Judge Robert C. Noonan.

Jesse S. Repass, 26, of Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Repass is accused of stealing from a location on Lewiston Road, Batavia, and was arrested by a state trooper.

Truck loses drive shaft causing significant diesel fuel leak at travel plaza

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor trailer traveling eastbound on the Thruway this afternoon lost its drive shaft, which hit one of its saddle tanks, opening a gash in the tank and leading to a fuel spill of up to 80 gallons diesel.

Nobody was hurt in the accident, though two cars on the Thruway hit the drive shaft and were damaged.

The truck was able to coast into the the Pembroke Service Area, leaving a trail of slick diesel from the point of the original mechanical failure to the parking lot.

Most of the fuel leaked in the service area parking lot and flowed toward a storm drain.

Diesel fuel was found a few hundred yards down stream flowing into the nearby creak, but firefighters were able to set up barriers and contain the spill at the creek entrance.

Crews were called in to spread absorbent material to clean up the spill in the parking lot.

Thruway crews spread salt on the roadway surface to provide traction and soak up the spilled fuel.

East Pembroke, Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments responded along with the county's Emergency Management team and the hazmat team.  NYSP Troop T assisted at the scene.

(Initial Report)

Pembroke student graduates with a perfect attendance record, K through 12

By Howard B. Owens

Since the day Anthony Platek entered kindergarten, there have been 2,265 school days.

Platek never missed a single day. He graduates from Pembroke High School with a perfect attendance record.

"I just showed up," Platek said. "I came every day, sick or well. People ask me, 'how come you never got sick? How did you do it?' Well, I never said I wasn't sick."

Vice Principal Nathan Work said it's quite an accomplishment.

"We have students who get perfect attendance every year, but Anthony was the first student in a while who has received perfect attendance since kindergarten," Work said.

For the accomplishment, Platek was honored by the school and among his gifts was a Dragons football jersey with his name on it and the number "0" for zero days missed.

Platek said he never really set out to achieve a perfect attendance record.

"I guess you could say kind of happened," Platek said. "I just showed up. I did my thing. I was an average student, really."

Tractor-trailer loses part of drive shaft on Eastbound Thruway, spills diesel

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer is leaking a significant amount of diesel fuel at the travel service center in Pembroke, located at 8319 Indian Falls Road.

Also, a portion of the disabled vehicle's drive shaft fell off in an eastbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 398.7. State Troopers are on scene and it has been removed, but three vehicles are damaged after striking it. There's fuel covering the roadway in that area "as far as I can see" says an officer at the scene.

The East Pembroke fire chief is asking for absorbant material and foam for the fuel spill at the travel center.

"We're going to need a lot of speed dry. It's pouring out like a water hose."

There's a four-inch rip in the truck's gas tank and is gushing so much it's covering the parking lot and is now pouring into the drainage and sewer system.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is being called out, along with the county Emergency Management Department's Haz-Mat team, and the state Department of Transportation.

Firefighters report being all out of speedy dry at the East Pembroke Fire Hall and will call on the Town of Batavia Fire Department for some. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are called to the travel center to provide mutual aid.

About 120 gallons of fuel has leaked and it's still gushing. The tank was full and now it's down to an eighth of a tank. At least a truckload of absorbant materials is needed. A boom is going to be used to try and prevent any more flow from going into the drainage system.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: When asked how the spill was, a firefighter said "It's come down a lot -- either that or she's almost out of fuel."

UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: The East Pembroke chief says fire crews cleaned up as much of the spill as they could and the remainder of it will be handled by the Thruway Authority and the DEC. Fire crews which responded are back in service, including Corfu, which was standing by in its quarters.

Darien Lake officials allege 'phony high-end passes' sold by scam artist in Flying J parking lot

By Billie Owens

Phony "high-end" season passes for Darien Lake Amusement Park and the campsites, complete with wristbands, were allegedly being sold at the parking lot of the Flying J Travel Center in Pembroke some time today. They were said to be selling for $200 and, apparently, some people bought them.

A Sheriff's deputy is responding to the travel center after dispatch received a call from officials at Darien Lake. There is no description of the seller(s) or the vehicle, but the deputy is investigating the matter.

UPDATE 7:32 p.m.: Barbara Pierce, a spokeswoman for Darien Lake, offers the following clarifications. Darien Lake is not allegeding anything. Officials received a call that caused concern about wristbands being sold by an unauthorized seller and asked the Sheriff's Office to check it out. There was no concern about season passes, just wristbands that are provided to guests of the park's hotel and campgrounds to gain access to the theme park. The bands are color-coded daily and a caller contacted Darien Lake to try and find out what color was being used today.  The park was closed today so there was no wristband for the park today. 

Law and Order: State Street resident accused of letting dog run at large

By Howard B. Owens

Rhonda L. Reisman, 40, of 105 State St., is charged with dog running at large. Batavia PD received a complaint of a dog running at large on State Street. Reisman was identified as the owner.

Heather E. Schramm, 33, of 48 South Main St., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Schramm is accused of sending a threatening message to another person.

Arron Lee Zimblis, 49, of 114 Vine St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, failure to stop, unsafe movement of a stopped motor vehicle and failure to yield right of way to an emergency vehicle. Officer Jamie Givens allegedly observed Zimblis commit traffic infractions Wednesday after receiving a report of an intoxicated person leaving a residence.

Daniel S. Anderson, 37, of 239 S. Swan St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Anderson was arrested Friday following an investigation into a prior complaint. He was ordered held pending a court appearance today.

Billy Joe Johnson, 35, of 3910 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Johnson was arrested following an investigation into an alleged incident reported at 7:02 a.m., Sunday, at a location on State Street.

Shawn Allen Bush, 43, of Alleghany Road, Pembroke, is charged with two counts harassment, 2nd. Bush allegedly threatened to harm his ex-girlfriend and son while in an intoxicated condition.

Brian Russell Wilson, 24, of Back Street, Pembroke, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wilson was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop at 12:58 a.m. Sunday on Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Matthew Metehan Osmancikli, 20, of Lewiston Road, Basom, was also charged.

Anthony Mark Matla, 42, of Park Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Matla allegedly threated to harm another person Saturday during an argument at a residence on Pratt Road.

A 16-year-old resident of Warboys Road, Byron, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. The youth was allegedly found in possession of half a hydrocodone pill while at Byron-Bergen High School.

Jennifer L. Sprague, 30, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a child neglect charge out of Family Court. Sprague was arrested after a bit of an alleged confrontation with police at her residence. Deputy John Baiocco reports that Sprague slammed the door after he arrived at the residence and locked herself inside. The house was surrounded with the help of Batavia PD and following some negotiations, Baiocco was able to arrest Sprague.

Heather D. Stone, 18, of Ellwood Drive, Rochester, is charged with burglary, 3rd, and petit larceny. Stone was turned over to the Sheriff's Office after being released from the Monroe County Jail on an unrelated matter. A warrant had been issued in Town of Le Roy Court for Stone's arrest. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Car crash at Alleghany and Gabbey roads

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at Alleghany and Gabbey roads. It is not blocking traffic. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding. An officer on scene reports there is one patient who is shaken up but seems otherwise OK and will probably be a sign-off.

UPDATE 12:11 p.m.: The responders are back in service.

Car crash with injuries at Route 5 and Lake Road, Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Route 5 and Lake Road in the Town of Pembroke. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments, Mercy medics and law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 11:57 a.m.: A male driver complains of a chest injury and there was air bag deployment on one of the two vehicles involved. Mercy medics are told to "back it down."

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: The Pembroke and Indian Falls assignment is back in service.

Law and Order: Attica man accused of identity theft

By Howard B. Owens

Bruce Jeramie Brade, 32, of Stroh Road, Attica, is charged with identify theft, 3rd. Brade allegedly used the personal information of another person, including a credit card number, for personal benefit.

Llani Marie Gerrastzu, 18, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Gerrastzu was allegedly found in her home with marijuana at 6:35 a.m., Wednesday.

Shannon Ann Caton, 38, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, is charged with harassment. Caton was allegedly involved in a fight at her place of employment on April 2.

Eric A. Ion, 40, of Brant, is charged with criminal contempt. Ion is accused of violating a court order in Alexander at 4:14 p.m., May 14. Ion was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Michelle G. Robb, 55, of Corfu, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs. Robb was stopped at 8:06 p.m., May 14, by State Police on Route 77, Pembroke. No further details released.

Richard A. Demmer, 20, of Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Demmer was arrested by State Police related to an alleged incident reported at 5:20 p.m., May 14.

Town of Pembroke Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2013

By Chuck Lowder

I attended the Town of Pembroke Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2013. One of the items on the agenda was in regard to a permit granted to Mr. Jeffrey Humel for his converted multi-apartment building located at 1633 Indian Falls Road in Corfu. Jeffrey Humel, who is already operating under a special use permit what was supposed to be a “storage only” business at this location, has now not only converted an old nursery warehouse into a 3-unit apartment building, but has allowed families to occupy two of those units without the proper permits or certificate of occupancies. When the Town of Pembroke became aware of the multi-family units and that they were occupied they notified Mr. Humel that he was not in compliance with town code and that he needed to remedy the violations. The town Zoning Enforcement Officer issued a "Notice of Eviction" to both tenants residing in two of the apartments.

Since then, a certificate of Occupancy has been issued to Mr. Humel so he could rent out one (1) apartment. Mr. Humel then allowed one of the tenants that were evicted before to move back in.

Using definitions found in the Town of Pembroke’s Zoning Law, a neighboring property owner’s attorney explained to the board the difference between a single unit dwelling and a multi-family dwelling. He also reminded them that since the principal use of the property is already operating under a special use permit, the town zoning law only allows for a single unit apartment not a multi-family dwelling. The board gave me the impression that it must not understand what the law means. Numerous times Board member David Sabato questioned the attorney’s statement about what the difference is between single-family and multi-family. A couple of times, the attorney stated it is in black and white and Mr. Sabato could follow along on the copy that he (the attorney) made for each board member to read. Zoning Board Chairman Nathan Witkowski raised the question as to whether or not there were multiple units in the building (Prior to this statement, Chairman Witkowski held up the layout plans for the build where everyone in the meeting could see the 3 units). He said it was “too bad that someone wasn’t there to represent Mr. Humel”. (Mr. Humel has a history of not showing up at previous board meetings to answer violations and issues.) Thankfully, Mr. Charles Reid, the issuing Zoning Enforcement Officer, was able to make it to the meeting. Mr. Charles Reid was the ZEO who issued the Certificate of Occupancy this spring and he was able to validate for everyone at that meeting, including Mr. Nathan Witkowski, that in fact there are three (3) separate apartment units in the old nursery building. He reported that he had been at the location a number of times, he inspected each unit and he signed the Certificate of Occupancy for apartment “B.” It became rather obvious that the board was not happy about admitting that there were 3 separate apartment units in Mr. Humel’s converted warehouse building, particularly when Board member Terrance Daniel said that all Jeff has to do is “knock out a wall between the apartments or put a connecting door between them and then they could fall under code as a single unit apartment.” After being asked again, Zoning Enforcement Officer Mr. Charles Reid reiterated that he indeed had inspected the inside of the made over building and there were in fact three (3) separate apartment units in it.

I got a very strong message that the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals were all in favor of allowing Jeff Humel to continue operating the multi-unit apartments along with his multi-commercial businesses even though this type of activity is not allowed in an agricultural/residential area per town zoning laws.

The board seemed reluctant, but the certificate of occupancy was rescinded by a vote of 3 – 2. David Sabato and Richard Doktor both voted "nay" while Terrance Daniel, Ronald Kasinski and board chairman Nathan Witkowski all voted "aye."

The Town of Pembroke has allowed Jeff Humel, dba Creekside Septic, Mike’s Roll Offs and Creekside Rentals (which includes rentals of port-a-johns and closed storage units) to operate multi-commercial businesses in an agricultural / residential zoned district since 2008. Not only are commercial businesses not allowed on secondary roads by town law, but it has aggrieved neighboring property owners as well. And now he wants to add apartments!

For complete documented information, please go to www.crlowder.com/pembroke/

Man falls from roof, suffers complete dislocation of ankle

By Billie Owens

A 61-year-old man fell more than 20 feet off a roof and suffered "a total dislocation of (his) ankle" at 349 Wright Road. It's between Tesnow Road and the dead end. Alabama Fire Department is there and called Mercy Flight to the scene. Helicopter 5 out of Batavia is en route. Mutual aid by Indian Falls and Pembroke fire departments to establish a landing zone is requested. Sounds like they are going to remove a soccer net from a nearby neighbor's yard and land Mercy Flight there. Mercy Flight is hovering over the scene and a lone firefighter is scrambling trying to establish a landing zone. "We've got a visual. We'll prepare to land," says the pilot.

UPDATE 11:45 a.m.: Mercy medics just arrived along with Indian Falls and the helicopter has landed.

UPDATE 11:47 a.m.: A Mercy medic asks that Mercy Flight be told to shut down its engine because the patient is not yet ready to be transported.

UPDATE 11:49 a.m.: Pembroke has arrived.

UPDATE Noon: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Erie County Medical Center. Alabama, Indian Falls and Pembroke are back in service.

Car crash at Akron and Alleghany roads, Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at Akron and Alleghany roads. It is blocking traffic. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and medics are responding. Fire Police are at the scene handling traffic. One person has a minor chest injury.

Local semi-pro football inviting local fans to scrimmage

By Howard B. Owens

The Lyndonville Tigers, a semi-pro football team that plays all of its home games at Pembroke Town Park, will hold a scrimmage at 3 p.m. tomorrow and is inviting local football fans out to the park to see the team.

The event is free.

Players 18 and older are also encouraged to come out and learn more about the team.

The Tigers are entering their third season playing in Pembroke and the team is 10 years old. The NFA has 16 teams.

"We have a great returning roster but are always looking for new players and I think our pre-season scrimmage is a great way for interested parties to come feel out the team," said Taylor McCabe, president of football operations for the Tigers.

Little girl hit by car on Galloway Road, Town of Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A 6-year-old girl has been hit by a car in Pembroke on Galloway Road, near Slusher. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is responding, along with Mercy medics and East Pembroke Fire Department.

UPDATE 4:33 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 4:41 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: All responders are back in service.

Strong winds disrupt power for some in the county

By Howard B. Owens

More than 600 National Grid customers in Genesee County are with out power this afternoon, including 590 in Batavia, as high winds play havoc with trees and power lines.

A tree came down on Clinton Street, which is what knocked out power around East Main and Clinton, including the intersection lights.

About 90 customers in Pembroke are also without power and there are a couple of small outages elsewhere in the county.

Power should be restored in Batavia by 4:45 p.m. and in Pembroke by 3:45 p.m.

There is a hazardous weather outlook in place because of strong winds into tonight. Winds are hitting 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Wires, tree down on Main Road, Pembroke, truck traffic stopped at routes 5 and 77

By Billie Owens

Three primary power lines / poles are down in the roadway in the area of 1428 Main Road in Pembroke, just past Boyce Road. The wires were arcing and smoking. Cables lines are also hanging low across the roadway, and a fallen tree is laying on them. Tractor-trailers will be stopped by fire police at routes 5 and 77.

Pembroke, East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. National Grid and the cable company have been notified.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: National Grid and Time Warner reps are on scene. Once the low-hanging cables wires are disconnected, tractor-trailers will be allowed through.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: All traffic can proceed; roadways reopened.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls are back in service.

Authentically Local