Stafford

Press release:

Due to popular demand, we have added a second tomato canning class on Sept. 28, 6 to 8 p.m.  This is a hands-on class that will show you all the basics of hot water bath canning.  The Master Food Preserver will demonstrate both the hot and cold pack methods of canning.  There will also be a discussion on canning jams and jellies.

Recipes and handouts will be provided.  When the class is done, you will have a quart of tomatoes, but they will be too hot to take home that night.  You will be able to pick them up at the CCE office the next day.

The class will be held at the Stafford Methodist Church, 6134 Main St., Stafford, Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.  Pre-registration is required as class size is limited.  No walk-in participants, please.  The cost for the class is $20 per person.  Registration and payment are due by September 26.  Contact Mandy at (585) 343-3040, ext. 101 or stop by our office to register.  You can also register and pay online by going to our event page athttps://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events.

Press release:

The Genesee County Highway Department will be paving on Morganville Road between Horseshoe Lake Road and Route 237 and East Morganville Road between Morganville Road and 237 in Stafford on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, weather permitting. The road will be closed to thru traffic during the paving operations.

Monroe Davidson, manufacturer of woolen shirts and jackets under the label of Melton Shirts, began on Liberty Street, Genesee Community College moved to a brand new campus on College Road northeast of the city, and the P. W. Minor Company moved its shoe-making business from Jefferson Avenue to the Industrial Park off Pearl Street.

All of those events happened in 1972, also the year that the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce was established. Chamber folks have been celebrating all year long, culminating with a 50th anniversary gala Saturday evening at The Red Osier Landmark Restaurant in Stafford.

Hosted by Chamber staff Tom Turnbull, interim president, and Kelly Bermingham, director of Member Relations and Events, the gala drew 100 local business, municipal, and community members for a year-end celebration.

John Dwyer was the first Chamber president, and he shared a story of how the rivalry between Batavia and Le Roy began in 1947. Dwyer was playing with the Blue Devils, and one particular game pitted the two foes, ending in a questionable touchdown called by the referee. The crowd had veiled the quarterback's catch as people encroached the endzone with wild enthusiasm. Fights broke out, and it was the epitome of mayhem amongst both teams -- and municipalities -- he said.

As a leader of the Batavia Area Chamber two dozen years later, Dwyer recalled having driven past that game location on the way to a meeting at Le Roy Country Club. Despite the odds of merging, Dwyer was charged with making it happen, though he hadn't forgotten his memories of that game and ensuing discord.

Many others before him had failed already, but apparently, enough people felt that it was the right thing to do. 

"And some people understood that we had to make some changes here ... the county level is the one place where you have political input, you can be listened to.  But we needed a plan because we were in desperate need of something, some representation," he said, noting what the sentiment was at the time. "We have to speak with one voice. We have a need for professional help. And the first step, of course, would have been a County Chamber of Commerce, where the businesses had a voice, and tourism, and a political voice and input as the voice of business." 

A historic vote was taken that changed the course of each smaller entity, he said. The rivalry would soon give way to cooperation.

"So anyway, it all finally came together and the night was a snowy night ... I had no idea how this was going to work out. But the editor of the Le Roy paper, he already said he had written an editorial suggesting that this was the right path to take. And he was affirmative about my actions and my intentions," Dwyer said. "And so, as it worked out, on a snowy night at the Le Roy Country Club, the vote was yea. And we ended up at that point with the County Chamber of Commerce." 

Le Roy and Batavia merged, also folding in the remaining towns and villages for a countywide Chamber of Commerce.

The 70s also signaled another path for the city, as it was swept up in urban renewal funding that tore down the heart and soul of downtown. Genesee Country Mall was built, many businesses have come and gone, visions for the city have adjusted to current times, and the Chamber’s role has not only adapted, but expanded, to meet those needs over the years, Bermingham said.

“When I started I was 29 years old, I was young and naive in everything back in 1995. That's when I started. As everyone knows, there was no social media, there was no internet, there was nothing like that. So everything was face-to-face, we had a lot of committee meetings, and we did things … it was more face-to-face, snail mail, things like that. So going from 1995 to 2022, as I look back and I'm like, wow, you know, everything now is social media and Internet. So that's been a huge, huge change,” she said to The Batavian. “I’ve been through … six bosses, so to speak, you know, that I've gone through and right now, waiting to get another one. Right. So let it change. And I will admit, I'm not good at it. But I've learned that usually, on the other side, it's a good thing.”

She admitted to being a little more old-fashioned in the face of texts flying back and forth to communicate. Bermingham would rather pick up the phone and talk to someone, she said. But those are mere details compared to the services offered by the agency, she said, beginning with health insurance and cell phone plans 30 years ago.

As those offerings eroded due to higher technology and other providers, the Chamber took on a higher level of service: providing whatever was needed. Whether that was to get up to speed with a business website, connect to others in the area, or better promote a merchant, the Chamber rises to the challenge, she said.

“I think we really have expanded, I think that we have become the place to go for businesses. We're not your grandfather's chamber, and we're there to do whatever you need. If you have an HR issue, boom. You don't know people, we'll connect you. That's why our promote, support and connect tagline has done so well, because you join, and remember, then we can get you with other team members to support you in any way we possibly can. One of my past co-workers would always say we bend over backward, and we really do. We'll do anything. We'll try to find the answer and we'll try to connect you any way we can.”

Former and now Interim President Tom Turnbull began in 2013, left in March 2021, and returned temporarily as another candidate is chosen. No matter whether the Chamber deals with big or small businesses, he recognizes the biggest one in Genesee County is agriculture. Those farms that people drive by every day are sources for not only ag products, but also for various administrative and food chain jobs besides the obvious ones of tending to the land and livestock, he said.

“Our whole mission is to promote and support business,” he said. “We take a stance on local business; there’s strength in numbers. You can see it happening, it’s on an upswing. Things are happening; it’s headed in the right direction.”

While the national retail market has changed with the prevalence of websites and social media, Turnbull sees success locally of niche retailers, those merchants that are selling products and services that don’t exist quite the same elsewhere. And the more people around, the more they are apt to shop locally, he said.

“Getting those apartments downtown is a good thing,” he said. “When you have more people, you have a need for more services.”

Connecting the dots is important when assessing the business scene, he said. For example, building a Main Street theater means more than just providing entertainment. During rehearsals, actors are downtown, parents are downtown waiting to pick up their children, and all of them create a more dynamic scene, and one in need of places to eat, drink and shop, he said.

The presence of online sites prompted the addition of a related position to take care of e-newsletters, social media posts and related efforts to promote businesses. That job was “a great addition,” Turnbull said. He credits Dwyer — former owner of the famed Thomas & Dwyer shoe store downtown — for being “very visionary” to see the need of a cohesive Chamber that embraced both the Batavia and Le Roy branches.

As for Turnbull’s own record, he is especially proud of three accomplishments during his time: reviving the home show (a good, old-fashioned dose of putting people right in front of businesses); moving to Park Road with offices and space for tourism and a Visitors Center; and working hard during the pandemic to shore up losses felt by merchants, so that they could shift to sell more take-out meals, and understand and navigate pandemic protocols to keep making revenue.

He doesn’t see the Chamber’s role changing much; just the way in which staff does it.

“Our role is to support and promote local business in any way we can,” he said. “As long as we continue to support business, it won’t matter the way we do it.”

Top Photo: Chamber Committee President Mickey Hyde, left, with Chamber Interim President Tom Turnbull, raise a glass and toast 50 years of the agency's existence Saturday evening during the Chamber's gala at Red Osier in Stafford; Founding member John Dwyer shares some thoughts and memories about when the Chamber of Commerce was established countywide; Chamber member and supporter Craig Yunker, left, Director of Member Relations and Events Kelly Bermingham, and John Dwyer enjoy some time on the patio of Red Osier during the Chamber's 50th gala; former Chamber webmaster and online manager Steven Falitico -- who Interim President Tom Turnbull credits for having taken the position to "another level,"  joins other guests at the buffet during the gala Saturday; a book for guests to leave comments for the occasion includes all sorts of praise for the Chamber's success; Tom Turnbull shows off the fancy cake created by Buttercrumbs Bakery in Corfu; and live music entertained attendees during the evening. Photos by Howard Owens.

A three-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the area of 6204 Main Road, Stafford.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: There's a car over a trailer sitting on another vehicle. There are six patients requiring ambulances.

UPDATE: A crew with Wyatt Van Buren Tree Services was working at a location on Main Street Road.  A large truck was eastbound on Main Road when it apparently made a wide turn into the westbound lane in order to turn into a residential driveway, according to Sgt. Andrew Hale of the Sheriff's Office.

A red sedan was also eastbound behind the truck.  There are conflicting witness statements, Hale said, so investigators have yet to determine whether the sedan pulled to the right in order to pass the truck on the right or if the truck re-entered the eastbound lane, forcing the sedan onto the shoulder.  Either way, there was a Van Buren pickup truck with a flatbed trailer parked on the south side of the roadway.  The sedan drove up the trailer and hit the back of the pickup truck.  There were four or five Van Buren workers on the trailer.  One sustained a broken arm, another, a broken leg.  Both were transported by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The other crew members were transported to an area hospital for evaluation.  There were no life-threatening injuries.  The driver of the sedan was treated and released at the scene. There will be citations issued, Hale said, but until investigators determined exactly what happened, it's unclear which driver will be cited.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: The roadway has been reopened. Stafford Fire is back in service.

Photos by Howard Owens.

An accident with entrapment is reported on Route 5 at Batavia Stafford Townline Road.

Two-cars involved.  One injury.  The eastbound lane is blocked and the intersection is blocked.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Mercy Flight being dispatched.

UPDATE: According to a trooper on scene, vehicle one was making a left turn onto Route 5 and allegedly pulled in front of an eastbound vehicle.  The driver of the eastbound vehicle sustained a broken arm and was transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hosptial.  Mercy Flight was canceled. 

Cassandra L. Elmore, 30, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, obstruction of governmental administration, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, uninspected motor vehicle, and insufficient tail lamps. Elmore's vehicle was stopped on Aug. 30 at 2:37 p.m., on Ellicott Street, Batavia. Elmore was allegedly driving on a suspended license. During a search of the vehicle, Elmore was allegedly found in possession of two sets of metal knuckles as well as various items of drug equipment.  Elmore was processed at Batavia PD headquarters and released on an appearance ticket. Previously: Woman charged after dog treated repeatedly for narcotics overdose; Vet told police Oddey was showing signs of drug intoxication during emergency visit; Elmore asks for more time 

Devin W. Blackshear, 23, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Blackshear is accused of pushing and hitting another person during an argument on Aug. 31 at 6:01 p.m. at a location on Oak Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Alexander C. Colon-Colon, 28, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Colon-Colon is accused of pouring bleach on the property of another person during a dispute reported on Aug. 28 at 7:08 p.m. at a location on Central Avenue, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Tammy L. Cicatello, 52 of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Cicatello was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine during a traffic stop on Aug. 26 at 8:52 p.m. on Pickthorn Drive, Batavia.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Latoya D. Jackson, 36, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal contempt 1st. On July 28 at 6:45 p.m. at a location on State Street, Jackson violated a stay-away order of protection and attempted to strike an individual with a closed visit while that person had a small child in his stroller that she was pushing.  Jackson was arrested on Aug. 26 and released on an appearance ticket.

McKayla J. Kosiorek, 27, of Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Kosiorek is accused of stealing cash from two different cash registers while working at the Days Inn in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jolene Y. Stevens, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Stevens is accused of violating an order of protection on Aug. 26 at 6:21 p.m. at a location on Hutchins Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Thomas F. Hofmeier, 21, no address provided, is charged with DWI and unlicensed driver.  Hofmeier was stopped on Sept. 2 at 1:07 a.m. on Alleghany Road, Darien by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Lucas Michael Countryman, 18, of Amherst Drive, Webster, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to stop at a stop sign. Countryman was stopped on Aug. 25 at 10:55 p.m. on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Trevor Sherwood.

Courtney Lynn Hewitt, 41, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with harassment 2nd. Hewitt is accused of striking a person in the head with a lamp on Sept. 4 at 1:30 a.m. at a location on Webber Avenue, Oakfield. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jacob Jeter Bedard, 24, of West State Street, Albion, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Bedard is accused of using electronic communications with another person for no legitimate purpose, causing alarm and annoyance, after being specifically instructed to cease all communication with the individual. Bedard was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court. An order of protection was issued. 

Jerry D. Walls, 58, of Albion, is charged with bail jumping 3rd.  Walls was arrested by State Police on Sept. 3 at 11:30 a.m. in the Town of Oakfield and ordered held on bail. No further details released.

Christopher S. Parker, 35, of Stafford, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI with a child in a car, and endangering the welfare of a child. Parker was stopped on Sept. 3 at 1:22 p.m. in Pavilion by State Police and released on an appearance ticket. No further details released. 

Press release:

The Blessing of the Animals Service:  Sunday, Sept. 25 at 10:00 a.m. at the Morganville United Church of Christ, 8466 Morganville Road (1 mile north of Stafford off Route 237).  This event will be held rain or shine.  Your pet needs to be kept under your care during the service and blessing.  Photos of your special friends may also be brought to be blessed.  Certificates of Blessing will be provided. Light refreshments will be served following the services. 

Submitted photo: Rev. James Morasco and Willow. 

Dean Gardner, Jr., 45, no street address provided, Pavilion, is charged with menacing 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, attempted arson 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Gardner is accused of attacking a victim in a car on Warsaw Road at 3:16 p.m. on Aug. 20. According to Le Roy PD, Gardner is accused of choking the victim until she was no longer able to breathe.  He then allegedly grabbed a gas can from the back of his truck and poured gas on the driver's seat of the vehicle and attempted to light it on fire with the woman still in the passenger seat.  She attempted to call 9-1-1 but was too afraid that Gardner may have heard her talking with dispatchers. She hung up the phone and sent a text message to dispatchers requesting help. Officers John Ceneviva and Jordan Wolcott responded to the call.  Gardner was placed under arrest. He was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and released on his own recognizance, set to return to court on Sept. 15.

Kevin J. Weber, 51, of Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. Weber is accused of beating a housemate during an argument over a beer at 7:31 p.m. Aug. 13. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held in jail on an unspecified amount of bail.

Nakita N. Shook, 36, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Shook is accused of hitting another person in the face during a disturbance at a rooming house on East Main Street, Batavia, at 6:51 a.m. Aug. 13. Shook was arraigned in City Court and ordered to return Sept. 1.

Kenneth S. Griffin Jr., 24, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and aggravated unlicensed operation. Griffin was stopped at 3:30 a.m. Aug. 13, on Jefferson Avenue by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Kimberly J. Grover, 56, of Perry, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, DWAI-Drugs, inadequate exhaust system, and broken windshield. Grover was stopped by a Batavia patrol officer at 12:30 a.m., Aug. 9, on East Avenue. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Kimberly A. Fox, 44, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Fox was arrested on a warrant. She is accused of physically harassing another tenant in her multi-unit dwelling. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance. 

Adam B. Thomas, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. At 4:35 p.m. on Aug. 14, police responded to a location on West Main Street to investigate a trespass complaint. While on scene, officers were informed that Thomas was suspected of ripping off the toilet seat in the women's bathroom and refused to exit the building. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Alicia M. Lyons, 42, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Lyons is accused of kicking another person in the leg causing a minor injury at 11:38 a.m. Aug. 14. 

Eric P. Doleman, 52, of Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Doleman is accused of stealing a Reese's snack cake from a gas station on West Main Street, Batavia, at 3:40 a.m. Aug. 13. Doleman was issued an appearance ticket.

Andrew A. Searight, 35, of Niagara Falls, is charged with failure to appear. Searight is accused of failing to appear in City Court as ordered on June 21. Searight was arraigned in City Court and ordered to appear on Sept. 7.

Justin Mark Davis, 31, of Chili Avenue, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, insufficient tail lamps, and driving without a court-mandated interlock device. Davis was stopped at 11:45 p.m. Aug. 11 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, by Deputy Trevor Sherwood. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Jay Michael Blatchley, 49, of Bank Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Blatchley is accused of stealing $82.06 in merchandise from a retail store on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 7:01 p.m. on Aug. 16. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and ordered to appear in court on Aug. 23.  NOTE: The Sheriff's Office withheld the name and address of the retail store.

Jamie Aaron Dutton, 30, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with burglary 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and petit larceny.  Dutton is accused of entering Walmart in Batavia at 7:55 p.m. on Aug. 18 with the intent to commit a crime. He was located at a different location by Deputy Andrew Mullen and K-9 Frankie.  He was arraigned in Genesee County Court and ordered to appear in Town of Batavia Court on Sept. 13. Deputy Zachary Hoy investigated the case.

Jonah Lee Epps, 20, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Epps was arrested on Aug. 20 and charged in connection with a property damage accident reported at 9:21 p.m. on June 16 following the return of laboratory results.  The case was investigated by Deputy David Moore and Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. Epps was issued an appearance ticket. 

Danielle Katherine Kellogg, 24, of Pembroke, is charged with harassment 2nd.  Kellogg is accused of hitting another person causing a minor injury at 2:49 a.m. on Aug. 18, at a location in Pembroke. She was arraigned in Pembroke Town Court.  

Rachael Anne Gillespie, 31, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.  Gillespie was stopped at 8:14 p.m. on Aug. 19 on Sharrick Road, Darien, by Deputy Alexander Hadsall. She was issued traffic tickets and released.

Sandra Lynn Shifley, 39, of Bird Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to keep right. Shifley was arrested following a report of a property damage accident, a vehicle had struck a road sign, at 7:17 p.m. on Aug. 20 on North Bergen Road, Byron. Shifley was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and issued appearance tickets. The accident was investigated by Deputy Jacob Kipler.

Fidel Vargas-Sondoval, 46, of Glenbrook, Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Vargas-Sondoval is accused of slashing tires on Washington Street in Le Roy on Aug. 15.  Vargas-Sondoval was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court, an order of protection was issued, and he was released pending a future court appearance. 

Austin J. Kettle, 28, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Kettle was stopped at 11:58 p.m. on Aug. 19 in the Town of Pembroke by State Police. He was issued an appearance ticket.  No further information released.

Blake R. Johnson, 37, of Canandaigua, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Johnson was stopped at 3:20 a.m. on Aug. 20 in the Town of Batavia by State Police. Johnson was released on an appearance ticket. No further information released.

Monday's sunset in Oakfield, overlooking Lamb Farms. Photo by Kristin Smith.

Sunset in Stafford.  Photo by Josiah Smith.

Sunset in Bethany. Photo by Rick Forrester.

Photo on Horseshoe Lake Road.  Photo by Melissa LeSage.

Ronald M. Washburn, 62, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with sexual abuse 1st/child less than 11 years old. Washburn is accused of touching a child's sexual or intimate parts to gratify his sexual desire. According to police, Washburn was the child's babysitter at the time of the incident, which was reported on April 17, 2018. Washburn was a registered Level 1 sex offender, according to police, at the time of the alleged offense but his registration has since expired.  The investigation has been ongoing since 2018 by Det. Thad Mart, Child Protective Services, and Justice for Children. Washburn was jailed on $5,000 bail, $10,000 bond, or $20,000 partially secured bond.

Kevin Weber and Christine Wyder, no ages nor residences provided by police, are charged with public lewdness. Weber and Wyder are accused of engaging in sexual intercourse in the front yard of a residence on Walnut Street at 6:39 p.m. July 23. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Linda L. Snyder, 39, of Batavia, abandonment of an animal and torturing or injuring an animal. Snyder is accused of striking a dog with a broom multiple times and leaving the animal outside at 3:30 a.m. March 11, at a residence on Highland Park.  Snyder was issued an appearance ticket.

John J. Saddler, 34, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, criminal contempt 1st, burglary 2nd, identity theft 3rd, and grand larceny 4th. Saddler is accused of stealing property from a residence on State Street at 2:33 p.m. July 10, and in the process violating an order of protection.  He was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

Taiya J. Rolle, 18, of Batavia, is charged with attempted assault 2nd, reckless endangerment 2nd, and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. Rolle was charged following an incident reported on Liberty Street, Batavia at noon July 4.  He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Adriana M. Ayala, 18 of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd and criminal mischief. Ayala is accused of hitting another person in the face during a fight at a gas station on East Main Street at 8:58 p.m. on July 22. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jacob J. Camerera, 31, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th, unlawful possession of personal ID 3rd, and petit larceny. Camerera is accused of stealing and attempting to use another person's credit cards on June 4. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ashley I. Hightower, 29, of Batavia is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in motor vehicle 3rd, failure to stop at a stop sign, illegal signal/less than 100 feet, speeding, and failure to obey traffic control device. Hightower is accused of multiple traffic infractions and when police attempted a traffic stop at 9:20 a.m. July 16, Hightower allegedly accelerated and refused to pull over.  She is accused of fleeing from police from West Main Street, Batavia, to East Main Street, Batavia, before pulling over at Eastown Plaza. She was taken into custody and issued multiple traffic tickets and an appearance.

Brandon C. Dodd, 35, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, DWAI/drugs and insufficient tail lamps. Dodd was stopped at 10:41 p.m. April 26, by a Batavia patrol officer on East Main Street, Batavia. Dodd was arrested on July 14 and issued an appearance ticket.

Nathan W. Campbell, 41 of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Campbell is accused of stealing beer from a business on Jackson Street at 4:17 p.m. July 24. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Megan A. Gregg, 28, of Batavia, is accused of failure to appear on an appearance ticket issued at 4:27 p.m., May 13 on Ellsworth Avenue. Gregg was arrested on a warrant. Gregg is accused of leaving drugs and paraphernalia in an area accessible to young children.  She was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Christian P. Pierre-Louis, 24, of Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. A dog reportedly owned by Pierre-Louis went onto another person's property and became aggressive with another dog.  Pierre-Louis was issued an appearance ticket.

Sidney C. Underhill, 72, of Elba, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt 2nd, stalking 3rd, and trespassing. Underhill is accused of violating a stay-away protection order at 9 p.m., July 17, at a location on Vernon Avenue, Batavia, and on June 25 at 11:30 a.m., and of being on a property on Vernon Avenue without permission on Aug. 6 at 11 p.m. Underhill was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $5,000 bail, $10,000 bond, or $20,000 partially secured bond.

Mattew R. Taylor, 39, of Batavia, is charged with trespass.  Taylor is accused of being on a business party on East Main Street, Batavia, he was told not to enter at 8:50 p.m. July 24.  Taylor was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $100 bail.

Mattew R. Taylor, 39, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 3rd and petit larceny. Taylor allegedly stole merchandise from a gas station on East Main Street at 2:01 p.m. July 23, and had been previously barred from the property. He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Mattew R. Taylor, 39, of Batavia, is charged with trespass.  At 2:20 p.m. July 23, Taylor was allegedly found on a property on East Main Street he was not allowed to enter. He was arraigned and released.

Mattew R. Taylor, 39, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. At 6:02 p.m. July 16, Taylor was allegedly found on a property on East Main Street he was not allowed to enter. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Alicia M. Lyons, 42, of Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. Lyons is accused of failing to appear in City Court on a trespassing charge.  She was arraigned in City Court and ordered to appear at 1:30 p.m. July 28.

Alicia M. Lyons, 42, of Batavia, is charged with trespass.  Lyons is accused of trespassing at a business on Jackson Street at 11:55 a.m. July 24. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered to appear at 1:30 p.m. July 28.

Alicia M. Lyons, 42, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of trespassing. Lyons is accused of trespassing at 3:45 p.m. July 15, at a convenience store on Jackson Street, where she bought a pack of black and mild cigars and left.  She is accused of trespassing at a business at 6:38 p.m. July 18 and from being previously barred from shopping at that establishment.  She was issued appearance tickets.

Michael R. Ostrander, 57, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Ostrander is accused of violating an order of protection at 1:40 p.m. July 25 by making a phone call to the protected person. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Christine M. Page, 32, of East Rochester, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Page was reportedly babysitting a child less than 17 years old at 2:20 p.m. July 20 at a location on Bank Street, when the child consumed a candy bar containing THC causing an adverse reaction.  Page was issued an appearance ticket.

Jacqueline R. Garrett, 43, of Albion is accused of inhalation of toxic vapors or fumes. Garrett is accused of being under the influence of toxic vapors she inhaled during an incident reported at 5:38 p.m. July 21.  She is also accused of failure to appear in City Court for an incident in 2020.  She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Jason E. Carpenter, 43, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Carpenter is accused of threatening another person at a location on West Main Street, Batavia at 7:57 p.m. July 17. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Tracy M. Fickes, 41, of Batavia. is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving without an interlock device, and improper left turn. Fickes was charged following a motor vehicle accident at 12:28 a.m. July 10 on Clinton Street.  The vehicle struck a utility pole. Fickes was issued traffic tickets.

Latoya D. Jackson, 36, of Batavia, is charged with trespassing. On July 8, Jackson was advised by the management of a property on East Main Street to leave the location, which she did "reluctantly," police said. According to police, she returned a short time later and was arrested.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

George J. Budzinack, Jr., 42, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Budzinack is accused of throwing a punch through a door and hitting a female victim in the face at 2:26 a.m. July 11 at a residence on Walnut Street, Batavia. Budzinack was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Roger M. Hofmeier, 21, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment. Hofmeier is accused of having a disagreement with another person at 5:46 p.m. July 5 at a location on Ellicott Street, Batavia.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Daniel H. Mooney, 35, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd.  Mooney is accused of entering a property on Cone Street at 4:19 p.m. July 19 without permission and remaining unlawfully. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Paul Duke Ehrmentraut, 53, of East Bethany Le Roy Road, Pavilion, is charged with grand larceny 3rd and offering a false instrument for filing. Ehrmentraut was arrested by Investigator Chad Cummings based on an investigation by Genesee County Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. Ehrmentraut is accused of failing to report an adult offspring residing at his residence who was earning wages, which resulted in $7,290 in SNAP benefits Ehrmentraut was not qualified to receive.  He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Katlyn Ann Cook, 27, of Williams Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 3rd.  Cook was arrested based on an investigation by Genesee County Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. She is accused of failing to report income, which resulted in her receiving $6,427 in SNAP benefits she was not qualified to receive. She was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on her own recognizance.

Shannon Lisa Lopez, 45, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Lopez is accused of failing to pay for merchandise from Walmart. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Dustin Allan Loveland, 35, of April Way, Geneseo, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. He is accused of violating an order of protection at 7:30 p.m. July 29, by failing to stay away from the place of employment of the protected party. Loveland was arraigned in Town of Darien Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Latoya Y. Stanley, 34, of Independence Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 4th, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, obstructed view, and using cannabis in a vehicle on a public highway.  Stanley was stopped by Deputy Nicholas Charmon at 5 p.m. July 30 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia. Stanley was allegedly found in possession of metal knuckles. Stanley was released on an appearance ticket.

(name redacted upon request), 39, of East State Street, Albion, is charged with DWI, failure to stop at red light, driving left of pavement markings, open alcohol container, and aggravated unlicensed operation 1st. xxxx was stopped at 3:58 a.m. July 31 on Route 237 in Stafford by Sgt. Mathew Clor.  She was issued traffic tickets.

Anthony S. Bosse, 30, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI and following too closely. Bosse was stopped at 9:15 p.m. July 27 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Kyle Tower. Bosse was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets.

Sonya Marie Charache, 41, of Basom, is charged with petit larceny. Charache allegedly skipped-scanned multiple items at Walmart valued at $34.08. Charache was processed at the Genesee County Jail by Deputy Carlos Ortiz Speed and released.

Beth E. Jerome, 41, of Albion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Jerome was stopped by State Police at 2:26 a.m. July 30 in the Town of Elba. She was released on an appearance ticket.  No further details released. 

Yesterday's sunset in Stafford.

Photo by Chris Crocker

Casper Farm's shop is still in development but it is open for business, providing some locally grown products, including beef raised right on Patrick and Crystal Casper's farm at 6671 Main Road, Stafford.

The freezers at the store are generally well stocked with strip, ribeye, tomahawk, briskets, roasts, and other cuts of "all-natural" beef.

Casper Farm is a multi-generation operation.

Patrick and Crystal are selling the beef they raise, which is butchered at Burley Brothers in Attica.

The store also sells cheese from Craig's Creamy in Pavilion and local maple syrup.  The Caspers intend to add more locally sourced products.

Crystal also makes a line of seasonings.

Photo: Caitlin Mattis, Carolyn Stewart, and Jon Casper. (Patrick and Crystal were busy at the Oatka Festival when The Batavian stopped by the shop yesterday.)  Photo by Howard Owens.

James N. Johnson, 54, of Conkey Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and open alcohol container; Agnes M. Baugh, 22, of Curlew Road, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal possession of a weapon 4th; and Maurice D. Bishop, 36, of Rauber Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th.  On June 29, Sgt. Mathew Clor located a disabled black Honda Civic on Clinton Street Road, Stafford. The registration matched a vehicle reportedly stolen during a strong-arm robbery early in the morning of June 28. Deputy David Moore arrived on scene and assisted Sgt. Clor in detaining Johnson.  Two crack pipes were reportedly recovered in the vehicle with drug residue in the pipes. Baugh allegedly possessed a pair of brass knuckles.

Carlos Torres, 47, of Champlain Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI-drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and unlicensed operator.  Torres was arrested on a warrant, arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court, and released on his own recognizance. 

Andrew Joseph Draper, 43, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Draper is accused of shoplifting from Walmart on June 26.  He was booked at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Andrew Joseph Draper, 43, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Draper is accused of contacting a person he was ordered not to contact at 7:31 a.m., June 26. Draper was issued an appearance ticket.

Crystal Ann Mounts, 45, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mounts is accused of stealing from Walmart at 7:23 a.m., June 26. She was issued an appearance ticket.

When Steve Foster and Tim Adams, owners of the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant in Stafford, come up with small ideas, they often grow into grand ideas.

In the spring of 2021, for example, the decision to clean up the area behind the restaurant -- move a dumpster to the back of the property and remove the wood structures from behind the building -- was supposed to be just as a clean-up project.  Once the area was clear, Foster thought maybe they could put some gravel down, install some tables and chairs and have a small outdoor dining area at a time when COVID protocols were still in place.

"A close local friend who was helping with the demo joked about a 'man cave' at the restaurant," Foster told The Batavian. "Tim and I agreed, but not so much a 'mancave' but an outdoor entertaining area that you would envision seeing in Florida -- an area that is not directly on a busy street, but a nice casual and inviting area to enjoy our country views.  We named the patio after our aunts, Valerie DiFalco and Lynda Bird. Both were very influential in our lives and loved the outdoors, and more importantly, loved to entertain."

So now what you will find out back isn't gravel and a few tables.  Rather, there is a full concrete patio, redwood cover, a couple of dozen tables, a bar with seating, and enough space for a small rock, country, pop, or jazz combo to keep the space hoppin'.

"As we built the patio, we had a mindset to have a big enough area where we could host live entertainment, something that is seen in a lot of patio bars in Florida," Foster said. "Our area is full of local talent and we wanted to have a nice space where they would be comfortable to play.  We wanted music that is not genre specific but goes with our casual fine dining feel."

The patio has seating for 65 patrons.  The seats are often all taken on Friday and Saturday evenings -- the nights when there is live entertainment on the patio.

"We offer a 'lighter eats' menu on the patio, which I believe has been valuable," Foster said. "We didn't want patrons to think they had to come out and get a prime and lobster dinner, although they can if they want to.  We wanted a salad and sandwich option.  There are already plans to add live entertainment to Sundays due to the overall success of the patio, along with hosting car cruises and tailgate parties throughout the patio season."

The Red Osier Landmark Restaurant is located at 6492 Main St., Stafford. Phone: (585) 343-6972 (the restaurant takes reservations). The restaurant is closed for dining on Mondays and opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Jennifer Moton

Jennifer "Miss B" M. Moton, 37, of Driving Park, Rochester, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd, four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, and promoting prison contraband 1st. Moton was arrested following a traffic stop by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush on a warrant based on a sealed Grand Jury indictment in Genesee County for allegedly selling crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force.  While Morton was being processed at the jail, information was developed that resulted in a search warrant. Morton was allegedly found in possession of 41 pre-packaged bags of crack cocaine along with a bulk quantity of crack cocaine. Moton was arraigned in Genesee County Court and released on her own recognizance and arraigned in Town of Stafford court and also released on her own recognizance. 

Jennifer L. Sprague-Clark, 39, of Batavia, robbery 1st degree; criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree, grand larceny 4th degree, coercion 3rd degree, and menacing 2nd, burglary 2nd, grand larceny 4th, and obstruction of governmental administration 2nd. Sprague-Clark is accused of fleeing on foot following a traffic stop at 10:22 a.m., June 1. A short time later she was taken into custody. She was subdued with a taser. The officer was reportedly aware of other pending charges. No information was released related to the other charges. She was arraigned in city court and ordered held on $25,000 bail, $50,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond.

Arthur L. Golden, 63, of Batavia is charged with criminal contempt 1st degree; burglary 3rd degree. Golden is accused of contacting a person he was ordered not to contact. He was ordered held without bail. Previously: Law and Order: Batavia man accused of assaulting neighbor, stealing neighbor's bike

(name redacted upon request (charges dismissed)), xxxxxx, is charged with stalking 4th and harassment 2nd. xxxx is accused of stalking and harassing another person over an extended period of time. The allegations were first reported on Nov. 25 and Investigator Howard Carlson handled the case. xxxx was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released. An order of protection was issued.

Elaysia A. Mendez, 26, of Delamaine Drive, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI (three or more convictions within 15 years), aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without an interlock device, uninspected motor vehicle, forgery 2nd, criminal impersonation 2nd, and falsifying business records. Mendez was stopped at 3:22 a.m., June 11, on Route 33 in Stafford by Sgt. Mathew Clor.  She allegedly provided a false identity to Clor and signed her fingerprints at the Genesee County Jail with another person's name.  She was held pending arraignment.

Megan Danae Seymour, 32, no street address provided, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and motor vehicle lights below standards. Seymour was stopped at 1:49 a.m., June 12, on Walnut Street, Batavia, by Deputy Trevor Sherwood.

Robert Lawrence Tullar, II, 39, of Townline Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny.  Tullar is accused of shoplifting from Walmart at 3:47 p.m., June 14. 

Zachary J. Marrow, 30, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Marrow is accused of damaging a fence belonging to a neighbor.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Andre L. Roberts, 29, of Pavilion, is charged with trespassing. Roberts is accused of being on property at 11:25 a.m., June 7, on Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, after being advised he was not welcome. Roberts was issued an appearance ticket.

Laura J. Reed, 30, of Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Reed is accused of not showing up for Grand Jury after being served a subpoena on March 29. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Michael J. Elmore, 31, no residence information provided, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Elmore is accused of slashing tires on multiple vehicles on Swan Street on March 27. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Antonio D. Callen, 31, of Selma, Ala., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speeding, and no headlights. Callen was stopped at 2:17 a.m., June 5, on Main Street, Batavia, by a Batavia patrol officer. Callen was released on traffic tickets.

Ajie JJ. Smith-Ezell, 27, of Rochester, is charged with assault 1st. Smith-Ezell is accused of assaulting a person at a local hotel. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $10,000 bail, $20,000 bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond. An order of protection was issued.

Anthony L. Vanelli, 44, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Vanelli is accused of stealing multiple packs of pork ribs from a business on Ellicott Street at 6:38 p.m., June 4. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Erica M. Raphael, 37, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. She was sentenced on a pending matter in City Court, concluding all court proceedings on the case.

Michael W. Williams, 63, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Williams was allegedly observed by witnesses driving drunk at 7:35 p.m., May 31. Williams was located by a Batavia patrol officer and upon further investigation, arrested.  Williams allegedly failed a field sobriety test. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Crystal A. Mounts, 45, of Batavia, was arrested on six bench warrants. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on bail.

A 500-gallon propane tank has reportedly been run over at 7965 Caswell Road, Stafford, and is leaking.

Stafford Fire dispatched.

Town of Batavia Fire and South Byron Fire dispatched mutual aid.

Live music in June includes:

• June 10 - Rhonda Federation 
• June 11 - TBD
• June 17th - Identity Crisis
• June 18th - Josh Hawkins
• June 24th - TBD
• June 25th Martin Petrillo

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Kevin H. Ayers is indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, menacing in the second degree, and harassment in the second degree. Ayers is accused of damaging a Ford F350 pickup belonging to another person on Oct. 8 in the town of Pembroke.  He is accused of damaging the rear driver-side tire, door, and fender. He is accused of choking the same victim on the same date at the same location. He is accused of displaying a knife in order to threaten that person. And with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm, he is accused of having physical contact with that person.

Joshua L. Webster is indicted on two counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, one count of menacing in the second degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of criminal contempt in the second degree. Webster is accused of violating an order of protection on Dec. 31 at a location on West Main Street, Le Roy, by intentionally placing a protected person in reasonable fear of injury or death by displaying a deadly weapon. He is accused of displaying a knife with the intent of using it against another person while children were present. He is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection on March 28 at the same location, and again on May 1. 

Zachary P. Hursh is indicted on counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, obstructing governmental administration, unlawful fleeing a police officer, and reckless driving. Hursh is accused of knowingly driving a stolen 2017 Honda Civic on Dec. 1 in the Town of Stafford. He is accused of using physical force to prevent a public servant from performing his official duties. He is accused of fleeing from a police officer in a vehicle at speeds in excess of 25 mph above the posted speed limit. He is accused of driving in a manner that jeopardized public safety.