Alabama

A working house fire has been reported on Bloomingdale Road near Ackerson Road.

Flames showing in second story. Second alarm.

All people accounted for in the house.

Alabama Fire Department responding.

On my way to the scene.

UPDATE 9:15 a.m.: Bill Schutt, assistant fire chief for the Town of Alabama Fire Department, says when crews arrived on scene the homeowner was on the roof in his bare feet trying to push the chimney away from the house.  

The homeowner was later transported to an area hospital with burns to his legs. According to the homeowner's statements, the fire started in the chimney.

The fire then quickly spread to the second story and got out of control with help from the high winds. Fire crews also ran out of water at the scene several times. Tankers hauled in water from ponds that were quite a distance from the fire.

About 12 companies helped fight the fire. Several were called in from Erie and Orleans counties due to the amount of local departments already out on calls for trees and wires down.

The home is a total loss.Firefighters will be on scene for some time to get it under control.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: Red Cross has been called in to help the two adults that live in the home.

Mercy medic called non-emergency to the scene for a firefighter with a minor injury.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m. (by Howard): Photo below submitted by a reader.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is investigating a number of daytime, residential burglaries that occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

The burglaries happened along Ridge Road and Lockport Road in Elba, Ham Road in Alabama, and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road in Batavia. All residences were broken into by forcing open locked rear or side doors. Property stolen consisted of jewelry and electronic devices.

The Sheriff's Office would like residents in Genesee County to be extra vigilant and immediately report anything suspicious such as someone knocking on your door asking for directions, any vehicle being operated in an unusual manner, or if you witness any vehicles or individuals that appear suspicious.

Also, keep an eye on your neighbors' residence and report anything that appears to be suspicious or out of place.  

Contact the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at 585-343-5000 to report any such incidents.

Stephen P. Pahuta III, is indicted on charges of on two counts of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, one count of strangulation in the second degree, coercion in the first degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and assault in the third degree. Pahuta is accused of choking another person June 23 at a location in the Town of Alabama. It's alleged that the victim lost consciousness or was in a stupor for a period of time. Pahuta is accused of instilling fear in the victim so she wouldn't contact law enforcement. There also an alleged choking incident July 16. Pahuta is accused of damaging a phone to prevent the victim from requesting emergency assistance.

Richard R. Vetter is indicted on on count of grand larceny in the third degree and 16 counts of falsifying business records. Vetter is accused of stealing $8,689.78 from a business in Darien. He is accused of making at least 16 false entries into log books to conceal his theft of cash from the business.

Mark K. Biggins is indicted on counts of felony DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. It is alleged that Biggins drove drunk on Route 33 in Stafford on Sept. 12. According to the indictment, Biggins was convicted of DWI in July, 2003.

A two-car accident has been reported at 986 Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, in front of The Rez smoke shop.

One person has a facial injury.

Alabama Fire Department, Mercy EMS responding.

The roadway is blocked.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: All the patients are in the restaurant. There are at least two, maybe three.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m. (Billie): One person suffered a leg injury, possibly a fracture. One patient was transported to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Not sure of the destination, if any, of others. Alabama went back into service at 1:37 p.m.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported, with minor injuries, at 2333 Town Line Road, near Maple Road, and Alabama Fire Department is responding along with medics.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: Four vehicles are involved. One of them is blocking traffic. One tow truck is already on scene.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: The Town of Alabama Highway Department is called to the area to clear the roads, which "are pretty bad," according to a responder. One ambulance is said to be sufficient.

Timothy L. Taylor, 38, of 219 N. Spruce St., #124, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, criminal obstruction of breathing and reckless endangerment, 2nd. Taylor was picked up by the State Police at a location on West Main Street Road on an unrelated matter Saturday and turned over to the Batavia PD on a warrant for the listed charges. Taylor is also accused of violating the terms of Drug Treatment Court. Taylor was jailed on $5,000 bail for the alleged criminal offenses and $100,000 for the alleged violation of drug court terms. He is schedule to reappear in city court on Dec. 26.

Scott N. Cameron, 30, of 25 Vine St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Cameron is accused of hitting a family member who is under age 17.

Benjamin L. Brade, 30, of 12 Denio St., Batavia, is  charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Brade is accused of violating an order of protection by being under the influence of alcohol while with the protected party.

Carl I. Sherman, 33, of 68 Dix St., Rochester, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Sherman was picked up by Rochester PD and turned over to Batavia PD on a warrant related to the listed charges. Sherman posted $500 bail.

Emily V. Salvatore, 30, of Bergen, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Salvatore was stopped by State Police at 11:27 p.m., Friday, on Route 31, Albion.

John Lee Smith, 38, of Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, avoiding intersection, failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely. Smith was stopped at 9:49 p.m., Saturday, on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Frank Bordonaro. Smith was allegedly observed avoiding the intersection at River Street and Main Street and not maintaining his lane.

Jeffrey J. Cervone, 44, of Skye Road, Basom, is charged with petit larceny. Cervone was taken into custody by the State Police out of Clarence and turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a bench warrant.

Gary Howard Waters, 35, of East Avenue, Gasport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18, speed not reasonable and prudent, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to keep right. Waters was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile and Deputy Eric Seppala into a motor vehicle accident at 3:03 a.m., Saturday, on Lewiston Road, Oakfield.

Robert A. Barnhart Jr., of Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office. Barnhart is accused of owing several thousands of dollars in restitution from a prior case.

With zoning changes approved in the Town of Alabama, the Genesee County Economic Development Center will now move forward with real estate purchases in order to create the footprint for the STAMP project.

The board today authorized the agency to move forward with a $2.1 million expenditure to acquire the land necessary for the 1,340-acre technology zone.

GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde said today, after the board's approval of the transactions, that he anticipates bringing in three chip fabrication companies of the size now in Saratoga, which will mean a $15 billion to $25 billion investment by those companies in Genesee County and some 9,000 jobs.

The board authorized a loan from the LDC (a non-profit agency operated by the GCEDC) to GCEDC for $500,000. GCEDC will then receive either a gap loan from a bank to repay the LDC, or pay it off when it receives grant money from the state for the STAMP project.

The project is receiving more than $2 million from Empire State Development.

The first purchases -- many of which have already been negotiated -- could happen in a matter of weeks.

Jamie R. Bachorski, 18, of Oakfield, is charged with two counts of burglary, 3rd. Bachorski is accused of stealing two ATVs from a storage shed on Batavia Oakfield Townline Road over the summer. He's also accused of entering a pole barn on Fisher Road and stealing an ATV. Bachorski was jailed on $10,000 bail for alleged violation of probation. The case was investigated by Deputy Tim Wescott, Youth Officer John Dehm and Investigator Roger Stone.

Joseph Thomas Bortie, 41, of Knowlesville Road, Alabama, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, moving from lane unsafely and driving across hazardous marking. Bortie was stopped at 4:28 p.m. Monday on Route 262, Byron, following a report of an erratic driver on westbound Route 262. Deputy Chad Minuto located Bortie's vehicle a short time later near Transit Road. Minuto said he saw Bortie's vehicle cross into the eastbound lane and almost collide with another vehicle. Bortie was taken into custody following field tests. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jennifer Lynn Sprague, 29, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement. Sprague was taken into custody on Central Avenue on a warrant for the charge out of Town of Bergen Court. She was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Orleans County is working a motor vehicle accident on Route 77 and Alabama fire police have been dispatched to shut down northbound traffic at Roberts Road.

We have no further information on the actual accident.

UPDATE 7:16 p.m.: Alabama Fire Department asked to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 7:42 p.m.: Two Mercy Flight helicopters have landed at the Alabama landing zone, but one needs to move to a location north of the accident because the roadway is impassible for the transport ambulance.

UPDATE 7:49 p.m.: Route 77 will be shut down for quite some time, according to an Alabama chief. Mercy EMS being dispatched to scene. One patient taken to Medina's hospital, the second bird sent to a Shelby landing location. It was a two-car head-on collision.

Correction: Though Route 77 is Alleghany Road through most of Genesee County, it stays Alleghany Road heading north at the intersection with Lewiston Road. At the intersection Route 77 jogs to the west. It's Route 63 (as a commenter points out) after the intersection of Alleghany and Lewiston. In this post, I transposed the dispatchers saying Alleghany Road to "Route 77" without realizing that section of Alleghany Road is actually Route 63.

A rollover accident has been reported on Judge Road, Alabama.

Unknown injuries at this time.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding along with Oakfield fire.

UPDATE 6:19 p.m.: One victim is out of the vehicle. Extrication was not required.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: One person being transported to UMMC with complaint of head and arm pain.

Five years of planning, public meetings, studies, environmental reviews and dozens of written reports came down to one vote Monday night in the Town of Alabama, and by unanimous decision, the town's planning board said yes to a proposed industrial technology park.

The 5-0 vote to change the zoning for 1,340 acres within the town's borders clears the way for the Genesee County Economic Development Center to aggressively market the technology zone and begin the process making STAMP the kind of "shovel ready" property that GCEDC officials say is necessary to attract big business.

Before the vote, Mark Masse, VP operations for GCEDC, said it had been hard work to get the development to the point of the pivotal vote, "but now we leave it in your hands."

"The town has been involved from the beginning in hiring consultants and getting a lot of work done looking at the project," Masse said. "We're excited to be at his point."

For the board, the decision came down to three key points: infrastructure for public water, support from the majority of town residents, and jobs.

Trustee Janet Sage noted the expense the towns of Bethany and Batavia are facing to bring public water to their residents, but under the agreement with GCEDC, the infrastructure for water will be created for 70 percent of the town residents at a reduced cost to ratepayers.

The total capital cost of the water project is $5.2 million.

An estimated $1.9 million in grants will reduce the cost of bringing public water to Alabama rate payers from $882 annually to $512 per year.

"We will be saving residents a lot of money over the long run," Sage said. "It would be a long time if ever before Alabama gets water if this doesn't pass."

Sage also noted that in a survey of residents, among those who responded, nearly 70 percent said they supported STAMP.

It was that support for the project that board members should note, said Alabama resident Sam Ferris.

"You should put your personal issues aside and vote the way the town wants," Ferris said. "We voted into into office to vote for our rights.  If you can’t put your own personal thoughts aside, you should reconsider running when it's your turn to run again."

Other speakers echoed Ferris call for a vote in line with the majority support for STAMP, and Donald Sage spoke about how important the jobs are to the future of Alabama.

"I've lived here all my life and I've never been able to make a living here," Sage said. "I worked construction in Rochester to make a living for my family."

GCEDC estimates that at full build-out -- which may take as long as 25 years -- that STAMP could employ 9,300 people.

Sage went on to talk about the importance of family staying together and said he probably won't be around by the time the real benefits STAMP kick in, but his grandchildren will benefit.

"You should not have to worry about going to Dallas, Texas, or Raleigh, North Carolina, to get to spend time with your family," Sage said.

There were no speakers at Monday's meeting who opposed STAMP.

When Supervisor Dan Mangino announced the resolution passed 5-0, most of the 20 residents in attendance applauded.

In related action, the board set a public hearing for Jan. 14 to consider a 12-month moratorium on all commercial construction in the town that is outside of the STAMP district.

The moratorium would give the town time to developed new zoning laws in anticipation of STAMP-related growth, preventing unwanted commercial construction and destruction of farmland.

Press release:

The Board of Education of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District has a vacancy on the board. This vacancy will be filled by a special election on Jan. 24.

The newly elected member will serve the remainder of a three-year term set to expire on June 30, 2015.

Qualifications for membership on a school board include:

• Must be able to read and write;
• Must be a qualified voter of the district; that is, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age or older;
• Must be and have been a resident (but need not be a taxpayer) of the district for a continuous and uninterrupted period of at least one year;
• May not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding year;
• May not reside with another member of the same school board as a member of the same family;
• May not be a current employee of the school board;
• May not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office.

All interested candidates are invited to pick up a Petition for Board Member Nomination form from the district office, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Press release:

The Town of Alabama today released results of a survey presented to residents of the town to gauge their support for the proposed Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP). It is a 1,200-acre site in the Town of Alabama which is currently under development by the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

The survey found that more than two out of every three residents in the Town of Alabama who responded to the survey are in favor of the STAMP project (68 percent), while 62 percent of residents feel that the proposed $10.2 million Incentive Zoning Agreement between the town and the GCEDC is “sufficient” for the STAMP project to continue.

The town negotiated for additional amenities including expanding the new water district to include more households. With this change, 433 households will now receive water through the project. The town also negotiated additional revenue to be used for capital projects in future years.

“Given the size and scope of the STAMP project, feedback from the residents in the Town of Alabama is critically important as the board approaches a decision,” said Alabama Town Supervisor Daniel Mangino.

Both the Genesee County and Town of Alabama planning boards have recommended the rezoning of the site. Final approval of the rezoning rests with the Town of Alabama.

Conducted by Goldhaber Research Associates, LLC (GRA) on behalf of the Town of Alabama, the survey was mailed to 1,500 Town of Alabama residents from Oct. 12-14. A one-page flier with information about STAMP as well as a copy of the Incentive Zoning Agreement were included in the mailing. The survey generated 707 total respondents, including 53 that arrived after the Nov. 2 deadline.

To maintain confidentiality, names of the respondents were not associated with the responses in the data files, and the information about who completed the survey or who responded in a particular way to the survey was not shared.

There is an accident report with minor injuries on Ledge Road west of White Road, Alabama.

There have been reports of it being a car vs. tree and car vs. deer accident.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: Reportedly, driver swerved to miss a deer and struck a tree.

A brush fire is reported by the side of the road at 955 Lewiston Road, Basom.

Alabama fire is responding.

UPDATE 10:11 a.m.: Alabama fire back in service. All units returning to quarters.

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A Batavia resident was stopped by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force while driving in Alabama on Thursday evening and allegedly found in possession of heroin and cocaine.

Joe C. Wind, 42, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Investigators allegedly found a needle with suspected heroin residue, a bag containing suspected heroin, a bag containing suspected cocaine and a glass pipe containing suspected cocaine residue.

Wind was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Uniformed deputies assisted in the traffic stop.

A field fire is report in the area of North Pembroke and Galloway roads. Smoke is showing. "It's in the middle of a field. I'm not sure how we're going to get to it," says a responder on scene. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding and Alabama and Town of Batavia are providing mutual aid.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The property owner is on scene and says he's burning some brush from a hedgerow. Alabama and Town of Batavia are back in service. East Pembroke will handle the assignment as need be.

Nicholas A. Antonucci, 25, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Antonucci allegedly entered a residence at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, of a person with an active stay-away order against Antonucci. Deputies allegedly located Antonucci inside the residence. Antonucci was jailed without bail. (Prior reports on Antonucci)

Cody A. Patrizi, 22, of 16 Walnut St., upper, Batavia, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Patrizi is accused of hosting an underage drinking party, which was reported at 1:15 a.m., Sunday.

Jake P. O'Leary, 19, Sam M. Cassidy, 21, and Declan L. Brennan, 21, all of 8 Montclair Ave., Batavia, are charged with unlawful dealing with a child. The three men are accused of hosting an underage drinking party, which was reported at 12:04 a.m., Sunday. Numerous underage people were allegedly at the party drinking.

Richard L. Maston, 30, of 40 S. Main St., upper, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for allegedly failure to appear on a disorderly conduct charge. Matson was jailed on $500 bail.

Jennifer L. Stack, 26, of 48 S. Main St., Batavia, and Woodrow C. Horseman, 36, of 5049 E. Main St. Road, Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Stack and Horseman are accused of stealing a shopping cart full of groceries from Tops Market at 3:17 p.m., Saturday.

Charles A. Larsen, 37, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Larsen is accused of entering a residence on Swamp Road, Byron, and removing items that he owned. Larsen was jailed on $300 bail.

Alec Michael Frick, 23, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speeding and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Frick was stopped at 10:44 p.m., Saturday, on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Michelle Ann Bruner, 19, of Townsend Street, Akron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Bruner is accused of harassing a victim in Basom in violation of a Family Court order during a property retrieval.

Joseph Lee Piedmont, 47, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Piedmont is accused of pushing another person.

Leon C. Bloom Jr., 30, of Batavia, is charged with felony criminal contempt, 1st. While incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail, Bloom is accused of sending a letter to a person protected by court order from contact by Bloom.

Melissa Marie Morton, 27, of Maple Road, Basom, is charged with petit larceny and criminal contempt, 2nd. Morton is accused of stealing four PlayStation3 games from Kmart. When confronted by store security, Morton was reportedly cooperative and returned the items. At the time of the incident, Morton was allegedly with another woman she is barred by court order from contacting.

Patrick O'Neal Spikes, 31, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 2nd. Spikes was located by Batavia PD at an address on West Main Street Road while officers were assisting NYS Parole on a matter involving another individual. There was reportedly an outstanding warrant for Spikes out of city court for alleged bail jumping. The person parole officers were attempting to locate was not in the residence.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 590 Council House Road, on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Alabama fire is dispatched.

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: Chief on scene reports a vehicle on its side.

UPDATE 10:31 p.m.: One patient. No word yet on extent of injuries.