pembroke

Write-up submitted by Laurie Clarke:

On Saturday, at the Indian Falls United Methodist Church, Christopher Clarke was honored at an Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony where he was awarded the highest rank in Boy Scouting -- the rank of Eagle Scout.

Christopher was presented with several citations from President Barack Obama, the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Kathy Hochul just to name a few. Assemblyman Stephen Hawley attended the ceremony and presented Christopher with a New York State Assembly Citation. Chris will also be receiving an American flag that was flown at the Capitol in honor of his Eagle Scout accomplishment.

In 2006 when Christopher was 8 years old he joined Troop 6066 in Indian Falls as a Cub Scout and began his journey toward becoming an Eagle Scout, a journey that would take him in many different directions. Along the way, Chris had the opportunity to visit new places, meet new people and learn many new things.

In 2010, Troop 6066 traveled to AP Hill, Va., to attend the National Boy Scout Jamboree, making many stops along the way at different historical sites.

The troop also went on numerous camping and kayaking trips including the Adirondack Mountains.

Throughout scouting Christopher was active in the community participating in Adopt-A-Highway program, planting trees for the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, ringing the bells for the Salvation Army, flag retirement ceremonies and many other community activities.

Christopher completed his Eagle Scout Project at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama. With the help of fellow Scouts, family and friends, Chris constructed a handicap accessible duck blind. The blind was built in pieces and then transported to the duck pond on the refuge where it was assembled at the end of a long dock.

Chris spent many hours researching the correct measurements and regulations for a handicapped building, locating funding for and finally putting a crew together to build and transport the blind.

Chris says “Scouts allowed me to learn many things that I would not have learned  if I had not had the opportunity to be in scouting. Boy Scouting gave me the chance to grow as a person, to be part of the community and meet many wonderful people along the way."

Ramon Roberto Domanski, 51, of South Avenue, Lake Bluff, Ill., is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Domanski is accused of stealing two tractor-trailer tires from a located at 8420 Route 77, Pembroke. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Daniel DiLaura, 38, of Brooklyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal mischief. DiLaura is accused of stealing a TV from Walmart and damaging a security device.

A chimney fire is reported at 357 Maple Road. Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:17 p.m.: A firefighter on scene says "There's nothing coming out of the top. I'm going inside..."

UPDATE 8:26 p.m.: It is confirmed that the fire is confined to the chimney.

UPDATE 8:42 p.m.: Problem resolved. Pembroke fire back in service.

High school students from throughout Genesee County were at the Genesee ARC building on Woodrow Road, Batavia, this evening learning about being volunteers for the upcoming Challenge Soccer season.

The Challenger program gives youngsters with developmental disabilities an opportunity to participate in sporting events.

Organizer Shelley Falitico explained the history of the program, what volunteers do and taught the students a little bit about what it's like to deal with a disability.

As a demonstration, she placed a student in a wheelchair and told him he could use only one arm. She then required a normally talkative student to wear a mask and told him he couldn't talk and had several students wear eye covers so they couldn't see. The student in the wheelchair then had to try to distribute a brochure about Genesee ARC.

Falitico pointed out all the ways in which the students' natural reactions to having their abilities limited in this manner is much like what it is for some of the youngsters they will deal with as part of Challenger.

The students participating include a group from the Pembroke soccer team, who were there to "pay it forward."

Two seasons ago, the team was reinstated, but players were required to raise their own funds to pay for their participation. As players and parents were working on fundraising, two Pembroke borthers, Howard and Michael Oriole, came forward and for the 2011 and 2012 seasons paid all of the team's costs.

"We obviously felt blessed and honored," said one of the mothers of the players, Lynette McGiveron. "We didn't know what to say."

Since the brothers both have disabilities, reaching out to Genesee ARC for a volunteer opportunity seemed like an appropriate way for the soccer players to give back to the community.

"We were obviously very grateful and we just felt the need to pay it forward," McGiveron said.

Darryl P. James, 30, of Darien, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, open container, failure to submit to breath test, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. The Wyoming County Sheriff's Office received a complaint at 4:42 a.m., Christmas Day, of a vehicle operating on a resident's driveway on Church Road, Bennington, and James was arrested following further investigation. James allegedly has two prior DWI convictions. James was jailed on $25,000 bail.

Bryan Michael Wharton, 25, of Clover Crossing, Manchester, is charged with unlawful possession of untaxed cigarettes. Wharton was stopped at 4:16 p.m., Dec. 23, for alleged equipment violations on Gabbey Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. He was allegedly found in possession of untaxed cigarettes.

About 100 people gathered in Pembroke tonight for a prayer walk and candlelight vigil in remembrance of Kelsey Milks.

The 19-year-old graduate of Pembroke High School died Sunday night following an automobile accident on Route 63, Town of Shelby.

The walk started at the Pembroke Fire Hall and headed west to the Milks' residence where Rev. Karen Grinnell, of the Indian Falls United Methodist Church, said a few words and led a short prayer. A group of high school students sang "Noel" and at the end of the vigil, the group raised their candles and flashlights to the sky and sang "Silent Night."

A prayer vigil for Kelsey Milks is being organized for tomorrow night in Pembroke.

Milks is the 19-year-old Corfu resident who died Sunday night following an automobile accident on Route 63, Town of Shelby.

Participants are asked to bring a candle or flashlight and gather at the Pembroke Fire Hall at 7 p.m. A prayer walk to the Milks' home will begin at 7:30.

A three-car accident with one car rolling over is reported on South Lake Road near Route 5.

Indian Falls and Pembroke fire departments responding. Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: A second ambulance requested to the scene, non-emergency.

UPDATE 8:54 p.m.: One patient will be transported (we don't know where) and two people are not injured.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls back in service. Roadway is reopened.

Debra Jean Bastiano, 55, of South Main Street Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding (55 in 40 mph zone) and possession or consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Bastiano was stopped at 9:31 p.m. Wednesday on Route 5, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Thomas Riley Munger, 18, of Glidden Circle, of Hamlin, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Munger was arrested following a report to College Village security of individuals smoking marijuana in a vehicle on College Village grounds.

Joshua William Cresswell, 20, of Janes Road, Rochester, was found passed out behind the wheel of his gray sedan around 7:30 this morning with the motor still running. He was in a cornfield, south of Little Falls Road, Pembroke. Cresswell was arrested and will appear in Pembroke Town Court on Jan. 10 on charges of driving while intoxicated and driving with a BAC of .08 or more. (Nothing about his being underage was noted in the report.)

Rozella Ann Smith, 76, of Colonial Boulevard, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. She was arrested for allegedly striking another person on the wrist and arraigned in Town of Batavia Court. The incident allegedly occurred on Nov. 29 at 10:43 p.m.

Gregory Stephen Hallifax, 46, of Diane Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and arraigned in Stafford Town Court. Hallifax was arrested on suspicion of criminal contempt and failure to obey an order of protection on Nov. 29 at 11:32 p.m. at a location on East Main Street Road, Stafford. He was released and will appear in Stafford Town Court next month.

(Note: Temporary difficulties in receiving FAX transmissions delayed the publication of information on Smith and Hallifax.)

Benjamin Authur Tribunella, 18, of Spencerport Road, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21 and promoting prison contraband, 1st. Tribunella's vehicle was stopped at 4:28 p.m. Monday on Route 33, Stafford, for an alleged equipment violation by Deputy Joseph Corona. During the traffic stop, Tribunella was found to allegedly possess a controlled substance and alcohol. While being processed into the Genesee County Jail, Tribunella was reportedly found in possession of an additional controlled substance that he allegedly tried to conceal.

Randy Kevin Wilmet, 35, of Franklin St., Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident. Wilmet is accused of providing false information regarding a vehicle accident at 5:18 a.m., Oct. 21, in the Town of Bergen. Wilmet reportedly was a passenger in the vehicle. Also charged was Matthew James Reed, 28, of State Street, Batavia.

Joshua David Kritz, 24, of Lyndale Court, West Seneca, turned himself in on a bench warrant out of the Village of Corfu Court for allegedly violating a conditional discharge on a DWI arrest. Kritz was jailed on $500 bail.

Gregory Stephen Halifax, 46, of Diane Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Halifax is accused of violating an order of protection.

Rochel J. Johnson, 31, of Pembroke, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Johnson was arrested by State Police in connection with an alleged incident reported at 6:20 p.m., Oct. 26. No further details were released.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board has approved the following projects:

KNW Manufacturing, 35 Spring St., Bergen. The company is moving its mold injection business from Ogden to a 2,012-square-foot building in Bergen. The building is already under a PILOT tax abatement issued in 2007. GCEDC is re-assigning the PILOT to KNW Manufacturing. The PILOT will expire in 2018 as scheduled. No other tax abatements are offered for this project. The move will create 10 new jobs in Genesee County.

Yancey's Fancy, $150,000 from revolving loan fund. Project is an interim plant expansion and equipment upgrades to support ongoing business and growth during a period that Yancey's Fancy is awaiting sewer construction in Pembroke. A larger project is expected to begin construction in early 2013 and be completed within the following 12 months. There are no tax abatements with the interim project.

Callahan Motion Control, $100,000 from revolving loan fund. CMC is buying the assets of Callahan Weber Hydraulics, an existing sales and service center in Darien. A local bank is financing the majority of the project through a coordinated program with Empire State Development. The program will save the company from 2 to 3 percent in interest over the next four years. GCEDC is providing a gap loan from its revolving loan fund to help finance the $434,000 project. CMC will also receive a mortgage tax exemption of $5,425. The company provides sales, service and repair of hydraulic components and systems for use in industry, agriculture, construction, gas drilling, lumber and mining industries.

A 42-year-old Porter Avenue resident is in custody facing multiple criminal charges following a high-speed chase Monday night on the Thruway that covered 43 miles, both west and east, and reached speeds of 107 mph.

The chase ended at the toll booth road and Route 98, Batavia, when Ronald L. Worthington allegedly rammed a State Police car not once, but twice, and Worthington's sedan became disabled.

It already had two driver-side flat tires from hitting spike strips placed on the westbound Thruway exit by a deputy.

Worthington is charged with DWI, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, speeding and numerous other vehicle and traffic law violations, according to the State Police.

He was arraigned in city court and ordered held in the Genesee County Jail.

The chase started in the westbound lane of the Thruway, mile marker 401 in Pembroke, at 10:48 p.m.

Worthington allegedly continued west until reaching the toll booth plaza in Williamsville, at which point, the white sedan made a U-turn and headed back eastbound on the Thruway.

State Police units assigned to Troop A, Batavia, were dispatched to the Thruway. Deputies were sent to the Batavia exit -- knowing the suspect was driving a vehicle registered to a Porter Avenue resident -- and a deputy deployed the spike strips just minutes before the suspect reached Batavia.

After running over the spike strips, through the toll both and ramming the trooper car, the white sedan came to a stop and police officers from the State Police, Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD descended on the vehicle. The window on the driver's side was smashed out and officers grabbed Worthington and pulled him out of the vehicle.

Worthington was treated by Mercy EMS personnel for minor cuts caused by broken glass.

At this time, there is no report of a Taser or similar device being used to subdue the suspect.

(Initial Report)

A microwave at the Subway shop at 8483 Alleghany Road, Pembroke, caught fire this morning.

It has been unplugged, but there is smoke in the building.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire companies dispatched. One engine from Akron responding mutual aid.

UPDATE 7:12 p.m.: Light smoke in the building. It will be cleared. Akron canceled.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: Pembroke, Indian Falls back in service.

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There are two motor-vehicle accidents on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 401. There are no injuries reported for the one in the eastbound lane, which involves a red Jaguar. The one in the westbound lane resulted in a minor injury. Mercy medics are responding along with Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested and assistance for traffic control. The Jag has major front-end damage and is on the bridge over Route 77, which is said to be extremely slick and cars are traveling on it too fast. A third car has slid on the bridge.

UPDATE 10:57 a.m.: The state DOT has salt and maintenance trucks headed to the bridge.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Two patients are being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: The patients headed to UMMC have minor injuries. One is a 49-year-old female, the other is an 18-year-old male.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: Indian Falls is leaving the scene and so is the State Trooper.

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: Pembroke command calls for an ambulance at the top of the ramp of the Pembroke exit off the Thruway for an accident in which a person has neck and back pain.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: The person with neck and back pain is a 42-year-old male who is being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: The Pembroke assignment is back in service.

The Grand Jury of Genesee County has issued the following indictments:

Kevin C. Johnson is indicted on a count of failure to register change of Internet access. Johnson, a convicted sex offender, is accused of not notifying authorities within 10 calendar days of a change in Internet access accounts.

James D. Ferguson is indicated on counts of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Ferguson is accused of driving drunk May 28 in Pembroke while having a revoked license due to a prior conviction in Buffalo in 2011 of driving while ability impaired.

Xzavier A. Davis is indicted on felony counts of DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Davis is accused of driving drunk May 13 in the Town of Darien. Davis has a prior DWI conviction in the Town of Cambria in 2012.

Shawn A. Johnson Jr., is indicted on four counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, 1st. Johnson is accused of possessing forged $20 bills in the Town of Darien.

Robert L. Hizer is indicted on counts of felony DWI, aggravated felony DWI and robbery, 3rd. Hizer is accused of driving drunk June 23 in the Town of Le Roy while children under age 15 were in the vehicle. He is accused of, on that same date, stealing $138 and a pack of cigarettes from the Wilson Farms store at 13 Lake St., Le Roy.

Laszlo Szabo is indicted on counts of felony DWI and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Szabo is accused of driving drunk Sept. 23 in the Town of Le Roy. Szabo has a prior DWI conviction from 2005 in the Town of Greece.

Press release:

As we all know, the East Coast was recently struck by Hurricane Sandy and has much devastation. Members of our community have decided to start a donation drive at the Pembroke High School (routes 5 and 77 in Corfu) on Friday, Nov. 16, from 3 to 7 p.m. with the help of students of the high school.

The students are really coming together to all participate in making this happen. We have been in direct contact with the location where we are making our drop and the following are their specific needs.

We will be accepting: bottled water, toiletries, non-perishable food items and bulk food items for the location because they are making daily hot meals for those who continue to have no electricity. Also needed are: blankets, gently used coats, hats and gloves, and new or gently used toys and Home Depot gift cards, but please no money.

But money can be given to the American Red Cross <www.redcross.org> and checks made out to the American Red Cross can be accepted during the charity drive at the high school.

After, we will be joining with Alden Presbyterian Church to move the goods to another church in New Jersey. Thank you for your time and generosity!

Also, an update on the Rotary drive, from Samantha Vagg, who said specific items are needed:

• Heavy duty garbage bags
• New blankets, pillows, bedding, towels and cots
• Cleaning supplies of all types -- mops, brooms, pails, disinfectant, bleach, detergent
• Flash lights and batteries, especially D batteries
• Work gloves
• Disposable diapers for babies of all sizes and Depends for senior citizens
• Non-perishable food items, especially chunky soups, protein items; canned tuna fish or salmon, sardines, peanut butter, bread, stews, canned ravioli, and juices. We need foods that don’t have to be heated. There is a tremendous need for food right now.
• Baby food of all types
• Pet food of all types
• Paper plates and cups

The drop-off location for the Rotary drive is the American Legion post in Le Roy, 53 W. Main St. Donated goods will be accepted until 6 p.m. today.

A man already serving a 15-year prison term for molesting a toddler admitted in county court today that he also molested another child under age 11 in March.

James L. Little Jr., 41, formerly of Batavia, could get three-and-a-half years tacked onto his current sentence after accepting a plea deal from the District Attorney's Office.

Little was escorted to court by state prison guards and appeared in court shackled and in a kelly green jumpsuit.

He entered a guilty plea to sexual abuse in the first degree.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29.

Batavia PD first arrested Little earlier this year for molesting a 2-year-old. Only after he was sentenced on that first charge did the second molestation, which occurred prior to Little's first arrest, come to light. 

Fifty-three-year-old Beverly Hensel was accused in court documents of supplying Little which child porn starting in 2008. She's entered a guilty plea to possession of child sexual performance and is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 9.

A driver was injured in a single-car accident on Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, shortly after midnight when he lost control of his vehicle and it overturned near Airville Road.

Scott Moore, 31, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, was transported to ECMC.

Charges are pending against Moore, according to the Sheriff's Office report prepared by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Moore was eastbound on Indian Falls at 12:49 a.m. when he reportedly failed to maintain his lane and exited the roadway off the left shoulder. The 2000 GMC pickup struck a ditch, overturned, struck a telephone box and came to rest on its roof.