pembroke

A car fire is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 399.2. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: A responder on scene says the fire is mostly out. There's still some smoke visible that's coming from the console between the seats.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: The fire is out. All units are back in service.

Today you can get rid of outdated or unneeded medications safely with no questions asked at drug drop-off points throughout the county.

There is one behind the Batavia PD station, one at the Le Roy PD and Pembroke Town Highway barn on routes 5 and 77.

Drugs can be dropped off until 2 p.m.

The public is encouraged to take part in the National Prescription Drug Drop Off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 28. No questions asked. All medications -- both prescription and over-the-counter -- will be accepted from residents.

In Genesee County, the drop-off sites will be as follows:

• Batavia Police Department -- 10 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia
• Le Roy Police Department -- 3 W. Main St. in the Village of Le Roy
• Pembroke Town Hall -- at the junction of routes 5 and 77 in Pembroke

According to the Center for Disease Control, prescription drug abuse is a national epidemic. In Western New York, prescription pill abuse is the No. 1 drug problem.

Law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals and drug-abuse prevention groups want you to "Keep unneeded, unwanted medications out of your children's hands."

An 18-year-old driver is accused of failing to yield to another vehicle at the intersection of Route 77 and Indian Falls Road, leading to an accident that sent six people to area hospitals, two via Mercy Flight.

The accident was reported at 11:22 p.m., Monday, and Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments responded along with an ambulances from Darien, Akron and Mercy EMS.

Mercy Flight 5 and Mercy Flight 7 were dispatched to the scene.

Three patients were airlifted to Erie County Medical Center: Jeremy W. Myrick, the driver of the first vehicle, and Jacob N. Lekopites, 17, a passenger in Myrick's 1991 Pontiac sedan.

Myrick, of Maryvale Drive, Cheektawaga, was cited for alleged failure to yield.

According to the accident investigation report prepared by Deputy Jason Saile, Myrick was westbound on Indian Falls Road when he pulled onto Route 77 in front of a northbound vehicle.

Driving north was Ocie Bennett Jr., 36, of West State Street, Albion. In the 2005 Ford SUV with Bennett was Patricia Smith, 54.

Both Bennett and Smith were transported to the hospital in Medina.

Two other passengers in Myrick's vehicle, Coty L. Kimmel and Adam G. Woodworth, both 18, were transported to UMMC.

Myrick is listed in fair condition at ECMC. Lekopites was treated and released.

(Initial report)

A serious injury motor-vehicle accident has been reported at Route 77 and Indian Falls Road, Pembroke.

Pembroke and Indian Falls responding.

Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

Corfu Fire Department requested to the scene to set up a landing zone.

Darien ambulance requested to the scene, mutual aid.

UPDATE 11:37 p.m.: A total of three ground ambulances along with Mercy Flight requested to the scene. All victims extricated.

UPDATE 11:39 p.m.: Route 77 northbound being shutdown at the Thruway interchange.

UPDATE 11:42 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5, five minute ETA.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7 requested to the scene. Darien, Mercy EMS and Akron ambulances in route. A total of five victims. Mercy Flight 5 is in sight of the ground contact.

UPDATE 11:49 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 has landed.

UPDATE 11:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7, 12 to 15 minute ETA.

UPDATE 11:56 p.m.: Both vehicles are about 50 feet off the roadway. One is on its roof. The other has heavy front-end damage.

UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: Darien ambulance transporting one to UMMC.

UPDATE 12:05 a.m.: Mercy Flight 7 on the ground.

UPDATE 12:11 a.m.: Akron in route to Medina with two patients.

UPDATE 12:31 a.m.: Corfu back in service.

UPDATE 12:43 a.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls back in service. Route 77 reopening.

Joshua L. Webster, 25, of 7882 York Road, Pavilion, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to yield right of way; Jessica L. Engelhardt, 21, of 7882 York Road, Pavilion, is charged with falsely reporting an incident and offering a false instrument for filing, 2nd. Webster was allegedly involved in an accident at 4:15 p.m., April 9, on West Main Street near Tops Market. Webster allegedly fled the scene on foot. Webster was reportedly identified by readers of The Batavian after his picture at Batavia Downs was posted on the website. Engelhardt, who is reportedly married to Webster, is accused of falsely reporting the vehicle stolen in an effort to cover up her husband's involvement in the accident.

Eric M. Duda, 50, of 111 Liberty St., Batavia, and Summer Ogden, 36, of 123 Washington Ave., Batavia, are both charged with criminal contempt. Duda and Ogden are both accused of violating orders of protection that prohibit them from being in each other's company. They were allegedly found together during a residence check by the Probation Department. Both were jailed on $5,000 bail.

Evan Ryan Anderson, 30, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, driving with ability impaired by drugs and No/inadequate headlamps. Anderson was stopped at 11:50 p.m., Friday, on Route 5 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Luke Anthony Bacon, 19, of East Avenue, Akron, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, speeding (82 in a 55 mph zone), and failure to keep right. Bacon was stopped at 12:18 a.m., Sunday, on Akron Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Mark Russell O'Gee, 58, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. O'Gee is accused of violating an order of protection by entering a residence he was barred from entering.

Christopher Michael Ames, 40, of Maple Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unlawful possession of marijuana. Ames was reportedly observed at 8:56 p.m., Friday, in a vehicle park behind an unoccupied building on Lewiston Road, Alabama, that is for sale. Upon further investigation by Deputy Chad Minuto, Ames was allegedly found to be in an intoxicated condition.

Kimberly A. Showler, 46, of 4 North Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Showler is accused of shoplifting from a store on East Main Street, Batavia.

Lesley Marie Brice, 33, of Miller Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Brice is accused of pushing and shoving another person during a verbal argument that allegedly turned physical at 6:24 p.m., Friday, at a location on Main Street, Pembroke. Also arrested in connection with the incident was Angel Victoria Ramos, 19, of Main Road, Pembroke, who is charged with harassment, 2nd. Ramos is accused of hitting another person during an argument.

Stephen Christopher Ward, 22, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, speeding and inadequate headlights. Ward was stopped at 9:45 p.m., Monday, on Angling Road in Pembroke by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Alexandria Claire Pisarek, 19, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Pisarek is accused of stealing fentanyl patches (pain medication) belonging to another person.

As we posted previously, southbound Route 77 is closed for culvert repair. FYI: The detour is rather lengthy, taking you west on Cohocton Road, south on Lake Road and then back east on Route 33.

A two-car accident with at least one injury is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 400.3. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy EMS. The location is east of exit 77 before the turnaround.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Traffic is stopped in the right-hand westbound land and is backing up. There's heavy damage to a sedan involed in the accident. A responder's vehicle was sideswiped, damage not yet determined, by an eastbound Chevy green Silverado, but he is able to continue to the scene.

UPDATE 12:07: There may possibly be a language barrier between the responders and an injured person.

UPDATE 12:52: The firefighters are back in service. The responder whose vehicle was sideswiped says there's no damage to his vehicle, but he noticed when the Silverado went passed that it had a broken side mirror.

Matthew Joseph O'Connor, 19, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. O'Connor is accused of stealing a debit card from a friend and using it in Genesee and Monroe counties to make purchases and ATM withdrawals. At the time of his arrest, O'Connor was allegedly found in possession of a small baggie of marijuana.

Lacey M. Muntz, 28, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Muntz is accused of stealing license plates from a vehicle she did not own.

Paul Uzarowski, 41, of Genesee Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC 0f .08 or greater, failure to dim headlights and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Uzarowski was stopped at 8:57 p.m. Tuesday on Route 77 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Francis Scott Smith, 18, of 2435 Angling Road, Pembroke, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to dim headlights and unlicensed operator. Smith was stopped at 1:45 a.m., Sunday, on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

A 16-year-old resident of Angling Road, Pembroke, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. The youth is accused of making several threats by phone to harm another person.

Press release:

A section of Route 77 (Allegany Road) in the town of Pembroke, Genesee County, between Route 33 and Cohocton Road will be closed beginning Thursday, April 5, for approximately four weeks in the southbound direction only. Northbound travel will not be impacted.

Crews will be replacing a culvert which is located just south of Cohocton Road. The schedule calls for the road to reopen in both directions by April 30.

Route 77 in the southbound direction will be closed between Cohocton Road and Route 33. A detour will be posted directing motorists to take Cohocton Road to Lake Road to Route 33 back to Route 77. A second culvert located closer to Route 33 will be replaced at a later date. The same detour will be used.

This work is part of a larger highway project to improve the condition of Route 77 from the NYS Thruway Interchange 48A to just north of Sumner Road in the towns of Pembroke, Darien and Village of Corfu, Genesee County.

The project entails widening the shoulders except within the village limits, replacing guide rails, extending culvert pipes, improving drainage, resurfacing the retaining walls under the railroad bridge, improving sidewalks, and modifying the entrance to Darien Lake Theme Park. A longer dedicated access ramp will be provided to store vehicles accessing the park which will improve traffic flow in the area. This work follows a 2009 highway project to mill and resurface the pavement on routes 77 and 33 and to replace signs.

The schedule calls for much of the work to be completed before Memorial Day. Remaining work will resume after Labor Day in the fall.

For real-time travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org

Amy Lynne Koch, 37, of Route 98, Alexander, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and petit larceny. Koch is accused of using information of her estranged boyfriend, who is incarcerated in state prison, to file both state and federal income tax forms. Koch allegedly created a bank account in both of their names so any tax refund money could be deposited in the account. Once the money was deposited, Koch allegedly withdrew the funds.

Timothy S. DiSalvo, 51, of 106 North St., Batavia, is charged with strangulation, 2nd, and two counts of harassment, 2nd. DiSalvo was allegedly involved in a fight with a family member at their business location on Harvester Avenue, Batavia. DiSalvo is accused of choking another person and shoving a female employee who tried to intervene to stop the fight.

Cheryl Lynn Vanelli, 52, of 2101 Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to keep right. Vanelli was stopped at 2:42 a.m, Jan. 21, on Boyce Road, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Vanelli will be arraigned in Pembroke Town Court on April 17.

Veshaun D. Thomas Sr., 34, of 110 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and suspended registration. Thomas was stopped at 2:40 a.m. Sunday by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Kyle David McNutt, 21, of Route 238, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. McNutt is accused of shoplifting $24.99 in merchandise from Kmart.

Gina Marie Glor, 18, of Route 238, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Glor is accused of shoplifting $24.99 in merchandise from Kmart.

Sandra Lynn Cassford, 29, of South Main Street, Castile, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Cassford was arrested on a warrant stemming from alleged events on Dec. 22. She was jailed on $200 bail.

Peter Joseph Gravante, 23, of Townline Road, Byron, was arrested on a warrant for driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Gravante was taken into custody on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court by NYSP in Monroe County and turned over to the Sheriff's Office.

Ryan Douglas Woodward, 22, of Vallance Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to reduce speed for a curve, moving from lane unsafely and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Woodward was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident while intoxicated on Route 19, Bergen, at 2:45 a.m. on Feb. 26.

After a couple of brushes with victory in the past couple of years, Pembroke's mock trial team finally came out on top, beating Attica on Monday evening in a match at the Genesee County Courthouse.

Pembroke scored 111 points in the two-trial match.

Judge Robert C. Noonan presided over the cases.

Pembroke will now move onto the regional competition at a time and place yet to be announced.

The Pembroke team is Patrick Burns, Dean Cullinan, Cale Fryer, Rachel Seweryniak, Joelle Fugle, Brett Jones, Andrew Reynolds, Brandon Kohorst, Ben Reiner, Christian Burn, Justin Sformo, Eva Reda-Kenrick, Sabrina Sanner and Karen Glomb.

The Attica team is Thomas Finnagan III, Cassandra McCulloch, Breanna Donnelly, Evan Reisdorf, Devin Tidwell, Naomi Lampke, Lauren Beatalan, Madison Cook, Kathrine Dusterhus and Hollie Seipel.

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Edwin L. Stancliff, 32, of Alleghany Road, Pembroke, and Adrienne F. Yocina, 31, of Alleghany Road, Pembroke, are charged with unlawful growing of cannabis and criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. Both charges are misdemeanors. Stancliff and Yocina were allegedly found growing cannabis on their property and possessing marijuana in excess of 25 grams during an investigation of an incident at 8:20 p.m., Aug. 13, 2010.

Tammy Marie Chojnacki, 40, of Pike Road, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Chojnacki was arrested by Deputy Matt Fleming at her residence following an investigation at 9:24 p.m., Saturday, into a reported domestic incident in her car.

Jesse Stephen Stocking, 24, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Stocking was stopped on Route 33 in Pembroke at 4:46 p.m., Saturday, by Deputy Matt Fleming.

Robert Jeffery Curry, 22, of Dillon Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Following a complaint to the Tip Line at 1:02 a.m., Saturday, Curry was arrested for allegedly hosting an underage drinking party at his residence.

Christopher Willard Logsdon, 24, of Big Tree Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Following a complaint to the Tip Line at 12:23 a.m., Saturday, Curry was arrested for allegedly hosting an underage drinking party at his residence.

Cody Allen Eaton, 22, of Main Street, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and speeding. Eaton was stopped at 1:54 a.m., Saturday, on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

John Charles McGrath, 43, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, resisting arrest and harassment, 2nd.

Lori Ann Brightenfield, 52, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Brightenfield is accused of using a telephone for no legitimate purpose to contact another person she was allegedly told previously not to contact.

Joseph Carl Jeffords, 21, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Jeffords is accused of driving across the lawn at College Village and while driving across the lawn, intentionally speeding up, leaving ruts. The alleged incident was caught on tape.

Wilson Figueroa, 28, of Conkey Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Figueroa's car was stopped for alleged traffic violations on Route 33, Stafford, and was found to allegedly have as a passenger protected by an active stay away order.

Stephen D. Reamer, 53, of 76 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with felony aggravated DWI. Reamer was stopped Friday morning in Le Roy by Le Roy Police.

More than 30 people got their heads shaved at Pembroke High School on Friday to help raise money to support the Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo.

The event raised more than $10,000, according to faculty member Melisa Dettbarn.

"Cancer affects our community profoundly," Dettbarn said. "A lot of kids have been affected. A lot of faculty has been affected."

Tyler Lang, a student involved with the Kiwanis Key Club, worked as one of the student organizers and he said he found the event very emotional and very rewarding.

"It's just a blessing to be doing this for Roswell," he said.

One of his classmates was recently diagnosed with cancer.

"We're supporting him and we're supporting everyone else at Roswell," Tyler said.

Two years ago, another "Bald for Bucks" event raised more than $7,000 for Roswell.

Pembroke HS has been involved in a few fundraisers for Roswell and other charities in recent years, including "Shoot for a Cure" in January and "Shades for AIDS" last year.

Dettbarn said these events just reflect the nature of Pembroke.

"We’re really a close community," Dettbarn said. "It’s unreal. We’re really tight knit.  Everybody pitches in. Even if we don’t all always get along, everybody is right there the minute you need them."

Pembroke eked out a narrow victory over Notre Dame in the semifinals of the Mock Trial Tournament Wednesday.

The four remaining teams faced off in Warsaw.

While Pembroke won on points against Notre Dame (101 to 99), splitting the match 1-1, Attica beat Warsaw handily, 124 to 88, taking both sides (prosecution and defense) of the match.

Pembroke and Attica will square off at 5:30 p.m., Monday, in the Genesee County Courthouse with Judge Robert C. Noonan on the bench.

Which ever team wins Monday, it will be the first time in the history of the local tournament that a team other than Batavia won. Batavia went 1-3 in early competition and was knocked out before the quarterfinals.

The photos in this post are of the Notre Dame and Pembroke teams.

Notre Dame team members: Meghan Zickl, Anneliese Aliasso, Andrew Fischer, Matthew Sausher, Kendra Wall, John Lapple, Ariana Aliasso, Rosalie Mortellaro, Jake Krajewski, Brittany Perzia, Caleb Nellis, James Spear, Anna Arner, Natalie Mouton, Katie Fischer, Andrew Cheverie and Rosemary Fulmerfeld.

Pembroke team members: Dean Cullinan, Patrick Burns, Joelle Fugle, Cale Fryer, Rachel Seweryniak, Andrew Renolds, Brett Jones, Brandon Kohorst, Bea Reiner, Christian Burns, Eva Reda-Kenrick, Karen Globm, Justin Sformo and Sabrina Sanner.

Previously: Batavia knocked out of Mock Trial Tournament early; four teams left to vie for title

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here. To purchase prints of these photos (parents, you can't get these photos anywhere else), click here.

It's Kicks Butt Day and members of the Pembroke Intermediate School SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) protested at their school against the marketing tactics of Big Tobacco wherein cigarette companies deliberately target teens as potential customers.

Photos submitted by Aaron Brown.

A grass fire is burning out of control and approaching a structure at 8959 S. Lake Road in Pembroke. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. The location is between Scribner and Cohocton roads.

UPDATE 3:23 p.m.: The fire is now under control.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: The fire is out. All fire units are back in service.