indian falls

Public Notice

In an effort to curb the trespassing, littering and generally disrespectful behavior exhibited by those swimming and jumping at the falls in Tonawanda Creek in the Hamlet of Indian Falls, the Town of Pembroke Board has passed an Emergency Parking Ban effective through Sept. 30^th.

The Emergency Parking Ban covers all of Waddington, Ogden and Short streets. The Emergency Parking Ban also covers portions of Gilmore, Little Falls, Phelps and Meiser roads.

Persons parking in these areas will face a $100 fine and the possibility of having their vehicle towed at their own expense. 

While the Town Board recognizes the right of people to assume the risk for their actions, we ask that people be mindful about the impact their actions could have on friends and family should an accident happen.

The lifelong impact of a death or paralysis can be devastating to friends and family. People also need to be mindful of the hazards potential rescues can pose to our first responders in the event of an accident.

A caller to dispatch reports about 20 kids are jumping in the water and "being loud" below Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant, located at 1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu.

A caller to dispatch reports 20 people are jumping in the falls below the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant, located at 1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu.

She would like to speak to an officer.

"Same complaint," says the deputy who is responding.

On Thursday, nine people were reported jumping in the falls. On Friday, July 3, it was 20 people, and on June 29 there was "a large number" of jumpers.

Nine people are reportedly climbing the rocks and jumping into the falls below Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant at 1227 Gilmore Road in Corfu. Genesee County Sheriff's deputies are responding.

A caller to dispatch "reports a large number of people jumping off the falls" outside of the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant." Law Enforcement is responding, the second time this afternoon.

A caller to dispatch reports several kids are playing in the water at Indian Falls, below the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant, and she says she's asked them to get out of the water and they refuse.

Genesee County Sheriff's deputies are responding.

The eatery is located at 1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu.

The Ice Cream Social at the Indian Falls United Methodist Church is the church's largest fundraiser -- of two -- they do each year.

This year, as primarily a drive-in event, it went big in an unexpected way.

"We usually do about 400 chicken dinners but it takes us all night," said Celinda McQuiston. "We did 400 chickens in an hour and 10 minutes."

The volunteers also served up 300 strawberry shortcakes. They also grilled hot dogs.

The Ice Cream Social -- this was its 76th year -- normally includes a bake sale and auction but because of social distancing restrictions those events were canceled this year.

A stove fire with flames showing is reported at 1451 Indian Falls Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding, along with mutual aid from Corfu and the City of Batavia FAST team. The location is between Little Falls Road and Evergreen Drive.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: "They are reporting the fire is out," says a dispatcher.

Photo: James Childs, 9, left, and Charles Stringham, 9, are shepherds posing with sheep belonging to Ed and Julie Keller, of Corfu, during the Living Manger Saturday night in Pembroke Town Park.

CORFU – For the third year, several churches in the Corfu/Pembroke area have combined their efforts to enact a live nativity scene in the Pembroke Town Park.

From 5 to 7 Saturday night, members of the Indian Falls United Methodist Church, High Point Community Church and North Darien Bible Church donned Biblical attire and took up their roles as shepherds, angels, Wise Men and Mary and Joseph.

Corfu Presbyterian Church also provided assistance, said Meagan Stringham, who helped organize the event with Celinda McQuistion.

There was no charge to drive through the displays, but donations were accepted for the Corfu Presbyterian Church food pantry.

Bales of straw were piled high along the driveway and a variety of live animals, including sheep, goats and a donkey nibbled at the bales.

Dan Spoth, of Clarence, said the Phelps family brought in a goat and the donkey, while two sheep came from Ed and Julie Keller, of Corfu.

After driving past all the stations set up, drivers could stop at the last tent to enjoy a hot beverage and cookies.

Photos by Virginia Kropf.

Below, Christina Sosnowski, rear, Allie Stringham and Jessica Soskowski are three angels.

Bottom, Sisters Makena (kneeling), Brooke and Josie Reding watch two goats eat in one of the scenes of the nativity.

A tractor-trailer vs. car accident with unknown injuries is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 325.7. Smoke and/or fire is reportedly coming from the big rig. East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: Traffic lanes were closed due to the accident but one lane of traffic is now reopened.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: Lanes reopened; assignment is back in service.

Submitted photo and press release:

Annual Foam Training was held for members of fire departments in Genesee and Orleans counties, with three-hour classroom sessions held in each of the counties followed up with a three-hour hands-on session held on Sept. 30 at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. 

The annual foam training centered on terminology related to firefighter suppression foam, application techniques, equipment, calculations used in accordance with NFPA 11 and water supply to perform foam firefighting or vapor suppression operations.

The 52 Genesee County participants were:  

ALABAMA

East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding to two accidents on the eastbound Thruway.

A semi-truck rollover accident with injuries and entrapment is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 397.4.

A car-into-guardrail accident is reported at mile marker 396.6 on the eastbound Thruway. The driver is out and walking around.

Investigators do not know why Michael N. Block, 50, of Williamsville, apparently lost control of his motorcycle at sometime before 7 p.m. last night in the area of 1027 Sliker Road but the resulting crash cost Block his life.

Block was driving a 2000 Yamaha going west on Sliker Road in Pembroke. He failed to negotiate a left-hand curve in the roadway. Block and his bike exited the road on the north shoulder and traveled through a hedgerow. Block struck several trees and lost his helmet. It was found wedged in a tree. Block came to rest in an open field.

Emergency responders were originally dispatched at 7:02 p.m. for a report of a male lying in a field unconscious. While deputies were in route dispatchers were updated by a first responder that the male had no pulse and was not breathing and that he had been involved in a motorcycle crash.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, Alabama fire, and Mercy EMS were dispatched.

When deputies arrived, CPR was in progress.

Block was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The crash is being investigated by Chief Deputy Brian Frieday, Sgt. Michael Lute, Investigator Howard Carlson, Deputy Mathew Clor, and Deputy Andrew Mullen. Accident reconstruction was completed by Sgt. James Diehl and Deputy Kyle Krzemien. Dickinson's Towing assisted at the scene.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

A motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene this evening an accident on Sliker Road, Pembroke.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating the accident and will release more information later.

The victim is described as a middle-aged male.

Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire along with Mercy EMS responded to the scene.

Photo and information: Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

A person has reportedly fallen from Indian Falls off of Gilmore Road, Indian Falls.

The victim may have suffered a head injury.

Pembroke Fire, Indian Falls Fire, Emergency Management Services, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:29 p.m.: East Pembroke is on standby. It sounds like first responders will try to bring the female patient up along a trail. 

UPDATE 6:31 p.m.: The patient is "top side" and East Pembroke and Emergency Management have been put back in service. The injuries do not appear to be serious.

Press release:

Do you know the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? Learn the facts during a free educational program in Batavia."Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia" is a free program that will be presented by experts with the Alzheimer’s Association® Western New York Chapter at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The Genesee County Office of Aging at 2 Bank Street will host the class.

While Alzheimer’s disease currently cannot be prevented or slowed, there are steps to take and recommendations to follow in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise and cognitive activity that promote healthy aging.

Learn more during a free educational program offered by dementia experts at the Chapter in August. "Healthy Living for your Brain and Body" will be presented at 1 p.m. at the New York State Veterans Home at 220 Richmond Ave. in Batavia on Monday, Aug. 12.

Registration is required for both programs by calling the Chapter office during traditional business hours at (716) 626-0600, ext. 313, or 24-hours a day, 7-days a week at 800-272-3900.

Additionally, the Chapter oversees several monthly caregiver support group meetings across the county, which allow caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges and hear advice for overcoming them:

• 3^rd Wednesday (Aug. 21) at 7 p.m. – Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St. in Batavia
• 3^rd Thursday (Aug. 22) at 1 p.m. – Genesee County Office for the Aging, 12 Bank St. in Batavia
• 2^nd Monday (Aug. 12) at 2 p.m. – The Greens of Le Roy, 1 West Ave. in Le Roy

Community social programs, or respites, are also available every month in Batavia and Corfu. This program provides relief to those who care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia and offers them some time to refresh and recharge, while their loved one is engaged in social activities in a safe environment.

First Presbyterian Church of Batavia offers this free service on the fourth Monday (Aug. 26) from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For additional information, please call Mickey Rodak at (585) 455-5940.

Local residents now have a second Batavia location for this service. On the second Monday of each month (Aug. 12) St. James Episcopal Church at 405 E. Main St. will offer a four-hour program, starting at 10:30 a.m. Those interested in this respite should call Barbara King at (585) 343-6802.

Indian Falls United Methodist Church at 7908 Allegany Road offers a respite program on the third Wednesday (Aug. 21) from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, call Celinda McQuiston at (585) 762-9105.

To learn more about other Alzheimer’s Association programs and services, contact the WNY Chapter office at 800-272-3900.

You can also access dementia care programs and resources by calling the Genesee County Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.

A one-vehicle accident happened about five hours ago on Little Falls Road and the driver is still in or with the vehicle, according to a caller to dispatch. The location is 1341 Little Falls Road, north of Fuller Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics just arrived on scene.

Little Falls Road is shut down.

UPDATE 7:49 a.m.: The patient -- the driver -- is being transported to ECMC.

UPDATE 7:59 a.m.: The road is reopended. The assignment is back in service.

Mark Dibble has been found alive, according to Tim Yaeger, GC Emergency Management Services coordinator.

He is breathing but not alert and was found behind 1031 Ledge Road in Basom -- the Totem Pole Smoke Shop. Mercy Flight was called, then cancelled. A ground ambulance is heading there now.

The location is about 270 yards south of the smoke shop.

The 58-year-old Indian Falls resident was reported missing late yesterday afternoon after he failed to show up at work and no one had heard from him.

Up to 70 firefighters, law enforcement personnel, volunteers and family members scoured the area until after 9 last night before calling off the search until daylight. It resumed about 10:30 this morning.

UPDATE 6:07 p.m.: A fire chief at the scene said when the ambulance arrived, Dibble was alert and able to walk to the ambulance, which is taking him to ECMC for evaluation.

UPDATE 6:19 p.m.: A group of about a dozen friends and family members decided to search the area around the Totem Pole Smoke Shop and they are the ones who found Dibble, says one of his friends.

GC Emergency Management Services Coordinator Tim Yaeger said up to 70 people are involved in the continuing search for Mark Dibble, including family members.

Dibble was identified as "almost certainly" the person seen walking northward on property owned by Sunrise Farm LLC, Kreher's egg farm in Basom. That is where the search is being staged today.

They have searched wooded areas, a rock quarry and ponds, and Diver Lake. No clues, clothing or footprints were found.

NYS Police aviation was deployed as well as their divers and nothing found after extensive investigation this morning.

They have widened the search from a quarter mile of where Dibble was seen on the farm video, to beyond a half-mile range. They are rechecking cabins, barns, and outbuildings that were inspected yesterday.

The search area also includes open fields, hedgerows, and ditches, private residences, campers, vehicles, and thick brush, with participants walking in swaths five feet apart.

Dibble grew up here; has been here his whole life; knows the area very well. Some of the geography is difficult terrain.

Next, they will check the property of his longtime employer.

They have spoken with colleagues, friends, family members and others who are acquainted with Dibble.

Anyone with information about Dibble is asked to call the Emergency Dispatch Center at 9-1-1.

The search is resuming this morning for missing 58-year-old Mark Dibble. The Indian Falls man was reported missing yesterday afternoon. He did not go to work after he checked on his mother at 6 a.m. Tuesday, who lives on Alleghany Road.

Around 9:15 p.m., a search and rescue team with firefighters from East Pembroke, Pembroke, Alabama, Indian Falls, and Darien along with two K-9 units, an Erie County Sheriff's helicopter and a NYS Police drone, were called off the detail for the night. Genesee County Office of Emergency Management personnel also assisted.

Now firefighters from East Pembroke, including its UTV, and Alabama and Indian Falls are gathering at 1307 McAlpine Road in Alabama to resume the search for Dibble.