Stafford

Photos and info provided by Rob Radley.

To help offset the cancellation of the Stafford Carnival, an annual fundraiser for the Stafford Fire Department, local musician Bill Pitcher, organized a jamboree Sunday at the Stafford Fire Hall. Several bands played, the firefighters prepared a chicken BBQ, while the exempts prepared hamburgers and hot dogs.

Pictured are members of The Sky Cats. 

Press release:

Assemblyman State Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) applauds passage of a bill to update gaming and charity requirements, and help the Stafford Volunteer Fire Deptsrtment reinstate car its raffle. He says it's a "huge vistory for Stafford Fire Department, churches and service clubs."

A local pastor is embarking on a 300-mile bike ride to benefit Crossroads House. Rev. Jim Morasco, (inset photo, right) is pastor at the Morganville United Church of Christ in Stafford. He is taking on the Great Alleghany Passage from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Washington, D.C., in honor of his mother, Margaret Morasco, who passed away at Crossroads House in October.

Since his mother’s passing, Rev. Morasco and his family have been finding creative ways to give back to the organization that cared for Margaret in her last days.

The family funded a new medication/nurses room that was moved from a cramped closet into a spacious room complete with counter space, cabinets, enhanced security for medication storage and administration. The room is now known as the Margaret Morasco Nurses Station, fittingly so since Margaret was herself a nurse.

Recently Rev. Morasco and his granddaughter Ella teamed up to write and illustrate a book of poems called “Changing Season and the Circle of Life.” The book contains poems and short stories that reflect the legacy of Margaret and her family. Copies are available at Crossroads House for a $5 donation.

On July 9^th, Rev. Morasco will depart for Pittsburgh to begin the Great Alleghany Passage. He chose this particular journey since his mother was from Pennsylvania. The ride will take him southward with notable crossings of the Mason Dixon Line and the Eastern Continental Divide.

You can sponsor Rev. Morasco’s journey by making a one-time pledge toward the ride in honor of Margaret. He has raised money for charities in the past through cycling and donors have pledged from $5 to $400 in support of the organizations. Crossroads House is a 501(c)3 Non-profit and donations can be tax deductible.

To partner with Rev. Morasco and make a pledge, contact him at jmorasco@rochester.rr.com

Returning from Le Roy last night, I stopped for a few scenic shots.

Above, a tractor in a field off Randall Road, Stafford.

A barn off Randall Road.

One of my favorite trees (we had a picture just last week) off Route 33 in Stafford.

A car has reportedly hit a tree in the area of 9294 Fargo Road.

Unknown injuries.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 2:45 a.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene. Landing zone is about 20 yards south of Sweetland Road. 

UPDATE 3:20 a.m.: More manpower requested to the scene for search and rescue for a possible third victim.

UPDATE 3:59 a.m.: it's unclear if a third person was involved. The possible third person may have been the driver.  On person transported by Mercy Flight in pain but conscious  Le Roy also on scene  

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 3:31 a.m.: A Town of Batavia engine and thermal imaging camera are requested to the scene to provide mutual aid, along with a rescue unit and thermal imaging camera from Le Roy, non-emergency mode. An emergency coordinator is also called to the scene. The location is between Sweetland and Clapsaddle roads.

UPDATE 4:39 a.m.: A male was transported via Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. A female was taken there by ambulance. The female indicated a third person may have been in the vehicle, but rescuers searched both sides of Fargo Road and after combing the area, found no one. They are wrapping up the search and preparing to leave the scene.

UPDATE (By Howard): The female involved in the accident has admitted she was the driver and there was no third person in the vehicle, according to the Sheriff's Office. The female is identified as Nicole K. Sullivan, 30. She was transported to Strong by Mercy EMS with head and leg injuries. She reportedly told deputies at 5:45 a.m. that she was the driver, after allegedly telling them at the scene, that there was another driver, but couldn't identify him and she didn't know where he went. Additional volunteer firefighters from Stafford, Batavia and Le Roy were called to the scene for a foot search of the area, with the use of FLIR technology. The search failed to locate anybody. The passenger in the vehicle is identified as Zachery W. Schwarts, 20, who was transported to Strong by Mercy Flight #5. He was initially unresponsive when emergency personnel arrived on scene, but was conscious when he was extricated from the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending. The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Eric Meyer, Sgt. John Baicocco and Investigator Joseph Graff.

Along Route 33 in Stafford this evening.

This pup was lost in Stafford and found by Marrianne Newmark. She called the Sheriff's Office and the dog is being taken to the Genesee County Animal Shelter on West Main Street Road. If you lost your friendly and playful dog, that's where it is.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced Thursday that he has signed on as a cosponsor of new legislation, coined the Charitable Gaming Act of 2016, which would allow charitable organizations and raffle holders to accept credit and legal tender for raffles as well as advertise and sell tickets online.

Hawley has also introduced his own legislation, A.10516, to remedy New York’s archaic and detrimental gaming laws.

“I am eager to see this bill come to the floor for a vote,” Hawley said. “It is scheduled to pass through committee today, and being authored by a Majority member gives it that much more potential to move through the legislative process.

"As I’ve said before, this is an issue that affects communities and benevolent organizations all across the state. Our statutes need to catch up with technology before more damage is done, and that is exactly what this legislation aims to do.”

A car has reportedly hit a utility pole in the area of 8856 Fargo Road, Stafford.

The driver is reportedly unconscious.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: Patient extricated. Mercy Flight has landed. 

UPDATE: The driver told deputies that he believes he fell asleep. The accident is under investigation, but traffic tickets are possible. The driver was conscious and alert at the time of his transport by Mercy Flight to ECMC. His injuries are considered serious, but not life threatening.  

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at 6117 Main Road, Stafford. Fluids are leaking. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A deputy on scene tells first responders to come in non-emergency mode. One person needs medical evaluation; "possibly a sign-off."

Angelo A. Cassidy, 39, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned on the charges at 11:10 a.m. on May 18 and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. It is alleged that at noon on Oct. 20, Cassidy removed a home-heating system, appliances and building supplies from a residence on Washington Avenue in the City of Batavia without permission. He is to appear in City Court at 9:30 a.m. on June 16. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis.

Kiha Samuel McNear, 18, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. McNear was arrested at 1:50 a.m. on May 22 on Walnut Street in Batavia after allegedly striking an individual multiple times in the face with a closed fist. The alleged victim was under the age of 17. McNear was jailed on $1,000 bail and was to return to City Court on Monday (May 23). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Twan Conway, 45, of Walden Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Conway was arrested following a 9-1-1 call hang-up investigation. The call was made at 12:30 p.m. on May 17. Conway was arraigned at 10:30 a.m. on May 22 and jailed on $500 bail. Conway was scheduled for City Court on May 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice. Then on May 23, at 7:40 p.m., Conway was arrested again following an incident wherein he allegedly pushed another person while an active order of protection was in place. He was jailed without bail and is be in City Court tomorrow, May 27. This case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Michael Patrick Sullivan, 53, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment. At 7:54 p.m. on May 24, Sullivan was arrested after allegedly violating a court order by subjecting two people to physical contact by throwing a glass item at them. He was jailed on $1,000 bail and is to be in Town of Stafford Court on June 9. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy James Diehl, assisted by Sgt. Eric Seppala.

Sara Jo Likus, 30, of Townline Road, Darien, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs or both alcohol and drugs; driving on the sidewalk; and moving from lane unsafely. At 9:28 p.m. on May 18, it is alleged that Likus drove a vehicle while her ability to do so was impaired, and that while driving she changed lanes unsafely and drove over the curb onto the sidewalk, striking a utility pole. She was issued several tickets and released to a third party. She is to be in City Court on June 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Charles-Gus Williams, 37, of Robinson Road, Lockport, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. At 1:49 p.m. on May 20, it is alleged that Williams violated a complete stay away order of protection at a residence on Maple Street in the City of Batavia. He was jailed on $2,500 bail and was due in City Court on May 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Jeffrey D. Matla, 56, of Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with: DWI -- common law; speeding; failure to signal a lane change; and DWI with a BAC greater than .08 percent. Matla was arrested at 5:18 p.m. on May 22 on West Main Street in Batavia following a traffic stop. He was stopped for traffic violations and allegedly found to be operating his motorcycle in an intoxicated condition. He was released and is to be in City Court on June 8. The case was handled by Patavia Police Officer Cowen Mitchell.

Joshua Yeomas, 31, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with third-degree unlicensed operation and failure to use headlights while operating with windshield wipers. Yeomas was located during an unrelated NYS Parole investigation, assisted by Batavia PD, and taken into custody on an arrest warrant stemming from an incident on April 13 on West Main Street, Batavia. He was released and is to appear in City Court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Bert Clifford Earl, 55, of Grandview Terrace, Batavia, is charged with harassment. He was arrested at 11:50 p.m. on May 20 following a disturbance at Batavia Downs wherein he allegedly subjected another person to unwanted physical contact. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

Lori A. Brightenfield, 56, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested for writing a check to a business on May 18 to buy alcohol when she allegedly knew she did not have the funds to pay for it. She was issued an appearance ticket for City Court and is to be there on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Carol M. Pahuta, 47, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Pahuta was arrested following a larceny investigation on West Main Street in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is to be in City Court to answer the charge on May 31. The case was handled by Bataiva Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Daniel Colin Healy, 25, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. He was taken into custody at 1:48 p.m. on May 23 by Gates PD on an active bench warrant out of City Court for failing to appear on the charge, stemming from an incident June 27 on Vine Street in the City of Batavia. He was jailed on $250 bail and was to be in City Court Wednesday (May 25). Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze handled the case.

Mark J. Zinni, 21, of Evergreen Drive, Batavia, is charged with driving without lights and unlawful possession of marijuana. Zinni was arrested following a traffic stop on Pearl Street at 11:39 p.m. on May 21 in the City of Batavia. It is alleged that Zinni was driving without lights and that he was in possession of several small bags containing marijuana. He was released on appearance tickets and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Katelyn C. Kubala, 27, of Genesee Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. She was arrested on a warrant for NYS Parole. At the time she was taken into custody, at 10:59 a.m. on May 20, she allegedly had a quantity of marijuana in her purse. She was turned over the NYS PArole Officer April Fuller at BPD and is to appear in City Court on May 31. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis.

Michael W. Funke, 21, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Funke was arrested following a traffic stop on Pearl Street at 11:52 p.m. on May 21 in the City of Batavia. He was a passenger in the vehicle and allegedly in possession of marijuana. He was released on an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Julie L. Dutton, 21, of Central Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on May 23 on a bench warrant out of City Court. It is alleged that she violated the terms of her release under supervision. She was jailed on $5,000 bail and is due in City Court today. The case was handled by Batavia PoliceOfficer Christopher Lindsay.

Andrew C. Webster, 23, of Martin Road, Akron, is charged with failure to appear. At 4:05 p.m. on May 20, Batavia police took custody of Webster from NYS police on a City Court arrest warrant for failure to appear. Webster paid an undisclosed amount of bail and was released. He was to be in City Court on May 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Brian J. Dorman, 32, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with owning an unlicensed dog in the City of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on June 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Madalyn Ryan Muntz, 30, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with making a punishable false written statement. The defendant was charged following an investigation in the Town of Stafford at 9:47 a.m. on May 10 wherein she allegedly provided the GC Sheriff's Office with a false statement regarding a larceny she claimed had occurred. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Stafford Town Court on June 9. The investigation was conducted by Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker, Deputy Chad Cummings, and Investigator Bradley Mazur.

Terry Michael Roth, 41, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Roth was arrested at 7:26 p.m. on May 18 following a report of shoplifting in progress at a store on Veterans Memorial Drive. Roth was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on May 23. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by a NYS Trooper.

A 17-year-old from Oakfield was arrested following an investigation into a larceny at Walmart which occurred at 7:42 p.m. on May 7. The youth was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on May 23. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

A working house fire is reported at 8157 State Street Road. Town of Batavia, Stafford, Elba, Oakfield and Alexander volunteer fire departments are responding to the scene.

UPDATE 10:49 p.m.: Personnel from the NYSP, Batavia PD and GC Sheriff's Office are on scene, too.

UPDATE: Confirmed fatal fire.

UPDATE 12 a.m.: Town Code enforcement and a Water Department rep called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:30 a.m (by Howard): I've just returned from the scene. Two children, approximate ages 2 and 3, died in the fire. The mother was reportedly out of the house at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. We'll have a full report in a separate post later.

The Town of Stafford contracted with an engineer to inspect the old Odd Fellows Building this morning and owner James Pontillo feared the goal of the inspection was to find a reason to condemn the building.

If that was the goal, that wasn't the result.

Engineer Dennis Halstead looked over nearly every inch of the building and told Pontillo at the end that he didn't see evidence of slipshod work.

Pontillo has been working on a restoration project with the building since he assumed ownership in 2010. It's been a lot of work, and there is a lot of work still to do, and Pontillo feels like the town has tried to impede his progress every step of the way.

Last year, Pontillo and the town fought over a fence he built along his western property line. The case eventually went to court and Pontillo prevailed.

Today's tour started in the first-floor business units, where once, most recently, there was a tattoo parlor, and the former location of the Stafford Trading Post (which, back in the day, was the town's post office, general store and armory.

Pontillo explained that he has installed a firewall around the kitchen, where one didn't exist before.

In the basement, Halstead looked at the electrical paneling, which has all been replaced, and the new heating units, which Halstead said looked like good, quality work.

The third-floor apartments all looked clean and well maintained, with a new heating system. Pontillo improved the ingress/egress to one of the apartments by removing a portion of the stage riser that partially blocked the entrance, a remnant of the Odd Fellows Temple days. 

That apartment has a raised floor (the old stage) for its living room.

The third apartment is a studio and Pontillo has nearly completed refurbishing it, with new walls, new door frames, new kitchenette and a completely renovated bathroom.  

In this room, one of the town inspector's, Gene Sinclair, told a reporter that it looked like Pontillo was doing a good job with the renovations.

"If only he would get permits for his work first," he said.

When told about the remark later, Pontillo chuckled and said, "If only it were that easy."

At the end of the tour, Halstead told Pontillo some of what would be in his report. Even though the building has had businesses, including a food business, on the first floor, and apartments on the second floor, for generations, it still needs some fire-code-related improvements. Either there needs to be a two-hour burn barrier between the second and third floors or Pontillo needs to install sprinklers, perhaps only over the kitchen part.

Pontillo said he intends to install sprinklers in the stairwell leading to the second-floor apartments, as well (if he does, he may no longer need the fire escape on the west side of the building).  

There are no other major issues that immediately stand out, Halstead said, but his report will be a series of recommendations with options for Pontillo to consider. He recommended Pontillo go over that with his engineer and that the engineer draw up a plan, put his seal on it, and supply it to the town. Halstead said he would also be happy to talk with Pontillo's engineer.

Previously:

• Fences, and more, divide business neighbors in Stafford
• Reward offered for illegal dumping of garbage bags in Stafford
• Owner of one of Stafford's historic buildings says neighbor preventing restoration work
• Pontillo needs to show some respect, and insurance, if he wants permission to go on property, owner's son says
• Stafford: The fence that divides a community
• Stafford ZBA to meet tonight on Pontillo fence issue
• The Sunlight Dialogues: Stafford ZBA denies variance for too-high fence
• Stafford ZBA's denial of fence variance reversed on appeal

Vernon Ronald Hill, 18, of Chiefswood Road, Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada, is charged with second-degree criminal trespass. At 5:30 a.m. on Monday, May 16, Hill was allegedly found naked in a residence on Griswold Road in Stafford by the homeowner. He was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and jailed in lieu of $1,000 cash bail. He was due in Stafford Town Court this morning. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young.

Dakota Scott Pocock, 19, of Townline Road, Bergen, is charged with five counts of sexual misconduct following an investigation in the Village of Oakfield. The defendant allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim without consent five times between August and December. He was issued an appearance ticket for Oakfield Town Court at 5 p.m. on May 16. The investigation was conducted by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth and Investigator Bradley Mazur.

Duty E. Caswell, 24, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, was arrested for having a vicious dog. The arrest stems from an incident on March 7 wherein his dog, according to police, attacked two people and another dog. Caswell was issued an appearance ticket and released and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court at 10:30 a.m. on May 13. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Devon Schulman, 20, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree menacing and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. It is alleged that at 6:52 p.m. on May 5 Schulman displayed a knife to a subject at an apartment on Liberty Street and made comments that led the victim to believe Schulman intended to use the knife against the victim. Schulman was jailed without bail and was to be in City Court on May 6. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Chad Richards.

Shawn C. Smith, 35, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation, first, and speeding. Smith was arrested at 6:24 p.m. on April 30 following a traffic stop on East Main Street, Batavia, and following arraignment was jailed without bail. He was to be in court May 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Shane Michael Green, 28, of Trapping Brook Road, Wellsville, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. At 7:36 a.m. on May 6, Green was arrested on Batavia-Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, for allegedly driving while the ability to do so was impaired by drugs. The arrest was the result of a complaint for erratic operation of a motor vehicle. Green is to be in Town of Stafford Court on June 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Christopher Parker.

Ryan James Sundown, 35, of Meadville Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He allegedly violated a complete stay away order of protection at 6 p.m. on April 25 on Council House Road. He was arraigned on the charged on May 5 in Alabama Town Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputyt Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

A 17-year-old female who lives in Batavia was arrested at 4:06 p.m. on May 2 and charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. She allegedly broke a window during an argument. She was issued an appearance ticket for May 17 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Arick Perkins.

Jany Girwath Jock, 20, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with identity theft, 3rd. The defendant was arrested following the investigation into the unlawful use of a credit card at 10:30 p.m. on May 3. Jock was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia City Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Mary Finnegan, 68, of Lake Street, Le Roy, was arrested on May 7 and charged with one count of criminal trespass in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Le Roy Village Police Department responded to a local apartment house after receiving a complaint of a subject on the property trespassing. Upon arrival Finnegan was allegedly located on the property after she had previously been advised she was no longer allowed on the property. Finnegan was taken into custody and charged accordingly. Finnegan is to appear in the Le Roy Town Court on May 19 to answer to the charge.

Steven Robert Tanner, 43, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Bethany, is charged with DWI with a BAC greater than .08, and DWI. He was arrested at 4:47 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, after an investigation into a traffic offense complaint in the Town of Stafford. He was allegedly found to be under the influence of alcohol while on Clinton Street Road in Satfford. Ater being processed at the jail, he was released for appearance tickets for Town of Stafford Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Kelly Marie Kabel, 38, of Royal Sunset Drive, Webster, charged with failure to pay fine imposed by court. She was arrested on Thursday, April 28, on a bench warrant out of the Town of Stafford for allegedly failing to pay a Stafford Court fine from last June. She was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and is to be in Stafford Court on May 10. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.