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Alexander

'Emaciated, poorly kept' animals allegedly found on Alexander property

By Billie Owens

A woman who went to an Alexander residence to buy rabbits called dispatch to complain about the conditions she claimed she found on Walker Road. According to the caller, there were lots of animals on the premises that appeared to be emaciated and uncared for. She also noted that a stinking odor was coming from the house.

Person spotted trying to take away pieces of crashed plane

By Billie Owens

A Sheriff's deputy is responding to a complaint that someone is attempting to remove parts from the scene of a plane crash that occurred in August off Brooksville Road in Alexander.

A pilot dusting a sweet cornfield spotted a wire stretched over the field and in an attempt to avoid it, he crashed his plane. Louis C. Christie, 48, of Stephentown, was unhurt.

The plane was a 1974 Piper Pawnee D Spray Plane. The fuselage of the plane was largely undamaged.

FAA inspectors were called to the scene and the accident was investigation by the FAA and the Sheriff's Office. Their findings have not been released.

UPDATE 11:48 a.m.: According to Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble, the plane's owner or a representative of the owner is at the crash site specifically to remove remains of the wreckage and law enforcement assistance/supervision was requested.

Law and Order: Batavia woman accused of cashing more than $5K in forged checks

By Howard B. Owens

Lori L. Mullen, 45, of 101 State St., Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and four counts of possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. Mullen is accused of taking the checks of an acquaintance, the forging the checks and cashing them. Mullen allegedly received more than $5,000. Mullen was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Cynthia Owens, 37, of 28 Buell St., Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, harassment, 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Owens alleged forced her way into the apartment of an acquaintance on Ross Street, damaging the door in the process. She allegedly hit the resident in the presence of a child. Owens was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Shane Zimblis, 41, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband. Zimblis is accused of bringing "dangerous contraband" into the Genesee County Jail while serving a weekend sentence. No further information provided.

Ryan Nicholas Bartholomew, 18, of Adams Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Bartholomew allegedly entered private property on Kelsey Road, Batavia, without permission and caused car alarms to sound with the intent of disturbing the property owner. Also charged with trespass was Kyle James Bump, 19, of West Main Street Road, Batavia.

Jeremy Adam Schultz, 22, of Buffalo Street, Attica, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, and petit larceny. Schultz is accused of damaging an umbrella stand and stealing a security camera by prying it off a building on Attica Road in Alexander, damaging the camera and the wall.

Law and Order: Duo accused of trying to cash stolen, forged check

By Howard B. Owens

Clarence E. McLeod, 55, of 19 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument 3rd, and Joshua A. Harris, 23, of 110 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and forgery, 3rd. Harris is accused of stealing a checkbook and then forging the victim's name on a check and issuing the check to McLeod. McLeod allegedly passed the check knowing that it was stolen and attempted to cash the check at the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union. The investigation was conducted by Officer Eric Hill and Deputy Brian Thompson.

Christopher P. Sullivan, 32, of 29 Tracy Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, unlicensed operation and unsafe lange change. Sullivan is accused of being in an accident in the parking lot of Northside Deli and then fleeing the scene. Witnesses reportedly followed Sullivan's vehicle and contacted police. Sullivan was arrested following an investigation.

Scott M. Forian, 44, of 8317 Slusser Road, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI and improper right turn. Forian was stopped at 11:34 p.m., Saturday, on Harvester Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Chris Camp. Forian was jailed without bail.

Dennis A. Edson, 48, of 17 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Edson allegedly yelled obscenities repeatedly at officers who were investigating another complaint in the area.

Rae C. Cook, 23, of 121 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Cook is accused of violating an order of protection with a prior conviction for criminal contempt, making this a felony charge.

Rosemary R. Waters, 26, of 2 Florence Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Waters was arrested on a warrant for alleged criminal contempt after visiting an inmate in jail. Waters was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Rachell Onie Soggs, 24, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Soggs is accused of shoplifting $29.12 in merchandise from Kmart.

Jeremy John Haynes, 36, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating without an ignition interlock. Haynes allegedly drove to the Genesee County Jail at 7:16 a.m., Sunday, with a BAC of more than twice the legal limit.

Nicholas Adam Antonucci, 25, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of attempted grand larceny, 3rd. On Jan. 6, 2010, Antonucci allegedly tried to steal two snowmobiles from the parking lot of the Beachhead Veterans Club in Alexander. One snowmobile was valued at $5,000 and the other at $4,000. Antonucci allegedly damaged the ignitions during the attempted theft. Antonucci is being held on the Wyoming County Jail on other charges.

Jason A. Klinkbeil, 24, of an unknown address in Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Klinkbeil was observed at Save A Lot allegedly shoving frozen food items and cans of beer into his backpack and then attempting to leave the store without paying for the items. Klinkbeil, who had been released from the Genesee County Jail the day before on unrelated charges, was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Batavia suffers first loss, GR has three undefeated teams, Le Roy gets third win

By Howard B. Owens

The Blue Devils dropped off the list of the undefeated in Genesee County on Friday with a 30-12 loss to Livonia.

Le Roy kept its perfect record in tack with a 35-28 over Avon, while in the Genesee Region Conference, three teams sit atop the standings at 3-0 -- Elba/Byron-Bergen, Notre Dame and Attica.

Elba/BB beat Holley 27-7 with Zack DuBois rushing for 156 yards on 22 carries, scoring once. QB Zack Gillard was 7-14 for 167 yards and two TDs. He also carried the ball five times for 29 yards and a touchdown. Austin Yockel had four receptions for 141, including a 44-yard TD reception. Ryan Morse had a 10-yard TD reception. Andy Underhill made 23 tackles. Brandon Naylor had 14 tackles.

Notre Dame moved to 3-0 with a win over Alexander 36-6. Tim McCulley completed 11 passes on 20 attempts for 187 yards, including TD tosses of 14 and 35 yards to Charlie Hebert and Jared Thornton. Nick Taylor had TD runs of 26 and 89 yards. Andrew Mullen carried the ball 11 times for 65 yards. For Alexander, Dylan Scharlau had 18 carries for 117 yards and QB Nelson Burke was 8 of 17 for 128 yards, including a TD pass to 36-yard TD to Sam Browne. Burke was intercepted twice.

Pembroke dropped to 0-3 with a loss to undefeated Attica 47-0. Four turnovers by the Dragons led to four Attica TDs. Pete Thomas had 12 tackles for Pembroke and Caleb Patterson and Jared Kolmetz each recovered two fumbles.

For Batavia, in the Blue Devils 30-12 loss to Livonia, Nick Canzoneri rushed for 40 yards on eight carries, scoring once. James Soggs had 11 carries for 85 yards.

Le Roy's third win was highlighted by Peter Privitera's 181 yards on 39 carries and two touchdowns. Both Marcus Mistersaro and Dylan Johnson scored on the ground. T.J. Crye was 13-of-27 for 173 yards.

Oakfield-Alabama improved to 1-2 with a win over Finney (1-2), 20-16. Ryan Emery scored twice and carried the ball for 99 yards. Chris Nanni rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Danny Monachino and Tommy Geiss each recorded 12 tackles.

Photos: Tractor pulls cancelled Saturday, but WNY Steam Show carries on

By Howard B. Owens

Heavy rains yesterday made the grounds of the WNY Steam Show a muddy mess, cut attendance, had some vendors closing their booths and forced the cancellation of the tractor pulls, but fewer people just meant more steamed sweet corn for the rest of us.

There was also still plenty to see and admire among the tractors, antique engines and the vendor booths that were open.

The show continues today -- including tractor pulls.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

WNY Gas & Steam Engine annual fall rally

By Billie Owens

The Western New York Gas & Steam Engine Association's 46th Annual Fall Rally is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 6-9. The steam show grounds are at 10400 Gillate Road in Alexander.

The event features more than 1,000 pieces of equipment, and demonstrations of threshing, log sawing, bailing and plowing. Plus, lots of fresh steamed sweet corn and other goodies. People from throughout the region flock to it every year.

Event Date and Time
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Storm clean-up at Alexander steam show prompts emergency response

By Billie Owens

The severe thunderstorm forecast this afternoon for southern Genesee County apparently wreaked some havoc at the steam show grounds in Alexander. All available manpower was called to help with clean-up. No word on what kind of clean up is needed or what the damages, if any, are.

The Western New York Gas & Steam Engine Association's 46th Annual Fall Rally started today and runs through Sunday. The steam show grounds are at 10400 Gillate Road in Alexander.

The event features more than 1,000 pieces of equipment, and demonstrations of threshing, log sawing, bailing and plowing. Plus, lots of fresh steamed sweet corn and other goodies. People from throughout the region flock to it every year.

Grand jury indicts two men for allegedly driving while intoxicated

By Billie Owens

Daniel E. Plath is indicted by the Genesee County Grand Jury on one count of DWI, a Class E felony, for driving a 2007 GMC pickup truck on Old Creek Road in Alexander on May 12 while allegedly intoxicated. He is also indicted on a second felony count of DWI for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more. In count three of the indictment, Plath is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation for allegedly driving the truck while intoxicated and without a valid driver's license. His license was invalidated following a DWI conviction in 2007, according to the DA's office.

Gary R. Dean is indicted by the Genesee County Grand Jury on one misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated on April 24 in Alexander. He allegedly drove a 2007 Chevrolet on state routes 98 and 20 and in a parking lot on Broadway Road while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for allegedly driving without a driver's license while intoxicated. His license was revoked following a DWI conviction in 2001, according to the DA's office.

Tri-Town football has first home game in 30 years

By Rick Franclemont

Pulling into Alexander on Saturday we were greeted with the sign: "First home game in 30 years!" The Tri-town organization (http://tritowntrojans.com/) has brought back youth football -- and judging by the turn out, it is back to stay.

Four games were played against the Pembroke Dragons during the sunny and hot afternoon. There was a chicken barbecue that ran throughout the day, a concession stand with a large variety of baked goods and 50/50 raffles and a drawing for a game-worn Bills jersey.

The beginners saw Alexander scoring from Connor Scott, Mason Bump and Ricky Townley.

 

Scoring in the minis for Pembroke were: Adam Dulski (no extra point), Owen Mileham with a defensive touchdown, Garrett Totten with two TD's, and Alec Skeet adding an extra point.

The JV game saw touchdowns from Trent Smith, David Colby (2) and Jordan Brown for Pembroke.

The varsity game was a hard-fought battle between two huge teams. There was a little bit of everything in this game, which Pembroke won 20-7. The first score was Pembroke's Mike Natalzia who broke a tackle and took the ball most of the field and into the end zone. Kyle Ludwig kicked the extra point.

Second touchdown was a run by Dakota Dieter of the Dragons. The extra point kick was blocked by Zach Jasen, of Alexander. Alexander's touchdown came next, run in by Zach Jasen, and PJ Brennan added the extra point. Mike Natalzia put the game away in the fourth quarter with his second touchdown of the day. More pictures from the day can be found at Francletography.com

Mark your calendars -- 'Stitches in Time 2012 Quilt Show' is Oct. 19 and 20

By Daniel Crofts

Quilt lovers will have their pick of everything from fabrics to fancy threads, from big to small, and from modern to traditional at the "Stitches in Time 2012 Quilt Show."

This is the Museum Quilt Guild's biennial quilt show, and it will take place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m Friday, Oct. 19 and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. It will be at the Alexander Fireman's Recreation Hall, at 10708 Alexander Road/Route 98 in Alexander.

Included in the two-day event will be a vendor's mall, a boutique where people can buy quilts, a silent auction and a raffle.

Raffle tickets will be available at the following venues:

  • Farmers Market at the Batavia Downs parking lot (at 8315 Park Road in Batavia) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Fridays
  • Brick House Corner's Fair (at 1145 Main Road in Corfu)

All quilts, including the raffle quilt (which can be viewed at the above locations), are made by guild members. Admission is $5.

Guild Publicity Chairperson Mary Ellen Hartwick said the proceeds will be donated to the Veteran's Administration, the Holland Land Office Museum and "a very active Community Service Program" (quoted from press release).

"Through the Community Service Program," Hartwick said, "many, many quilts are made and donated each year to organizations such as All Babies Cherished, the YWCA for their Domestic Violence Shelter, St. Luke's Mission of Mercy and the Batavia Agri-Business Child Development Center."

They have also donated quilts to fundraisers for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Genesee ARC, the Gillam-Grant Community Center and HomeCare & Hospice.

Guild meetings are held the third Saturday of every month at the Batavia VA auditorium, at 222 Richmond Ave. in Batavia. Meetings are from 9:30 a.m. until noon, and anyone who is interested in making quilts is encouraged to attend.

For more information on the quilt show, contact Hartwick at emmy_1953@yahoo.com or call 409-9297. People can also learn more by visiting the Museum Quilt Guild's blog page about the event.

Photo courtesy of Mary Ellen Hartwick. Pictured front row, from left: Mary Lu Hodgins, Mary Ellen Casey, Melanie Watson, Eileen Partise, Alex Hammon and Jamie Hammon.

Back row, from left: Barb Brady, Lori Anderson, Kate Martin, Chris Kuehl, Jean Butzer, Elaine Ross, Dodie Morrison, Kathy Belluscio, Anne O'Geen, Carol McNally and Dorothy Doerrer.

Two teens injured in ATV accident in Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

Two teenagers were taken to ECMC today after an ATV they were on while crossing Day Road was struck by a car.

One patient was transported by Mercy Flight.

Injured where Manual Cruz-Santiago, 15, and Vanessa Caswell, 17.

Their medical status is not currently available.

According to an accident report by Deputy Cory Mower, Cruz-Santiago and Caswell were struck on Day Road near Sprague Road by a southbound car driven by Jennifer L. Shaw, 27, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander.

No citations were issued following the accident, which was reported at 10:45 a.m.

Mercy Flight dispatched to two accidents in Genesee County this morning

By Howard B. Owens

An ATV rider was reportedly struck by a car on Day Road north of Sprague Road, Alexander, at 10:45 a.m.

Alexander Fire Department responded to the call and Mercy Flight was dispatched at 10:55 a.m. and the patient was flown to ECMC at 11:15 a.m..

No further information has been released yet.

At 11:31 a.m., a car went over a guard rail on Route 19 just south of North Road. Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance were dispatched. A Mercy Flight bird out of Canandaigua was dispatched to this call.

No further information has yet been released.

Fully involved barn fire on Starr Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

(This photo from the scene was provided from reader Joel R. Murcin.)

A fully involved barn fire "with lots of smoke" is reported in Pavilion at the Schumacher's Kelkenberg's barn, thought to be located at 11338 11304 Starr Road. The location is between River and Hudson roads.

Alexander, Bethany, Town of Batavia's Fast Team, and Pavilion are responding along with units from Wyoming County. They are asked to draw water from Pearl Creek.

Bergen will stand in at Pavilion's fire hall.

UPDATE 8:31 p.m.: National Grid has been notified that there are power lines on the ground and it will respond ASAP.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Fire police are asked to shut down traffic at Route 63 and Starr Road.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: Le Roy Fire Department is also responding as is Caledonia's.

UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: York's pumper is on scene and will be drawing water from the "first hydrant in the village," because getting an adequate water supply to fight the fire is proving problematic. The natural gas line in the barn is shut off.

UPDATE 8:58 p.m.: Monroe County is being notified they are tapping into hyrdrants. The water in the creek is said to be low, yet the amount to be had from the hydrants is also said to be limited. Now, they have enough water flow from the Hanson Aggregates mining facility. "We have plenty of it now." Warsaw crews have arrived.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: The top of a utility pole is on fire, directly across from where firefighters are working. Le Roy's auxiliary is called to provide cold drinks to the firefighters.

UPDATE 9:09 p.m.: They will employ the ladder brought by Warsaw to wipe out fire on one side of the barn, allowing those on the ground using hoses to concentrate on the other areas.

UPDATE 9:22 p.m.: The Town of Batavia's Fast Team is released from duty.

UPDATE 9:28 p.m.: Since the water supply from Hanson's is proving adequate, they are going to shut down the hand lines connected to fire hydrants.

UPDATE 9:58 p.m.: Cold beverages have arrived for the crews.

UPDATE 11:25 p.m. (by Howard): Fire crews are still on scene.The fire is knocked down but tankers continue to bring water to the scene to deal with what's left of the smoldering remains of the barn. Below are more pictures submitted by Joel R. Murcin. I was also out at the scene and will have a report with photos later tonight.

UPDATE 12:21 a.m.: Le Roy units returning to their hall.

Building vandalized on Attica Road

By Billie Owens

A building at 1991 Attica Road, on the site of a quarry, has had its windows smashed and a door busted open. Sheriff's deputies are responding.

Grass fire by Cookson and Dorman roads, Alexander

By Billie Owens

A grass fire is reported in the area of Cookson and Dorman roads. Alexander Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:57 p.m.: The area is said to be near the old Foster residence or Foster Farm. It wasn't much of a blaze. They couldn't find it at first, then indicated the responders on scene would suffice. "Are you going to stomp it out?", a firefighter asks. "Doing it now," is the reply. Mission accomplished. Fire is out. Alexander is back in service. 

Photo: Yellow flowers, red barns

By Howard B. Owens

A week ago or so I drove past this group of red barns on Route 98 in Alexander and noticed this attractive group of yellow flowers and thought it might make a nice picture, but the sun was bright and harsh at the time. Returning to Batavia from Alexander this afternoon, the light seemed better and the homeowner was home so I could get permission to move in for a closer shot.

Law and Order: Two defendants picked up on arrest warrents in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Jolene Janelle Goodell, 32, of Attica Road, Attica, is charged with assault, 3rd, criminal contempt, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Goodell was picked up in the City of Batavia on a warrant out of Town of Alexander Court on the listed charges. Goodell was jailed on $2,500 bail.

William Delose Hirsch, 25, of Buckman Road, Bethany, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd. Hirsch was taken into custody by County Probation on an arrest warrant out of city court.

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