Alexander

A pilot dusting a sweet cornfield off Brooksville Road in Alexander this morning spotted a wire stretched over the field and his attempt to avoid it led to the crash of his plane.

Officials say Louis C. Christie, 48, of Stephentown, was unhurt in the 10:30 a.m. crash.

Christie attempted to avoid the wire by maneuvering quickly to go under it, but his plane bottomed out and a prop was damaged. When Christie attempted to make a turn over trees at the south end of the field, his plane stalled and dropped to the ground.

The fuselage of the plane was largely undamaged and Christie climbed out easily, walked to the roadway and awaited the arrival of emergency personnel.

The plane was a 1974 Piper Pawnee D Spray Plane.

FAA inspectors were called to the scene and the accident is still under investigation by the FAA and the Sheriff's Office.

A cropduster crashed, but the pilot was not injured, in a field near the junction of Brookville Road and Route 20. This happened at about 10:30 a.m. Alexander Fire Department responded and is still on scene, awaiting a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration (required in all flight accidents). The FAA rep is expected in the next 10 minutes or so.

UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: The FAA has completed its inspection and is releasing the plane back into the custody of the pilot.

A 19-year-old Caledonia resident is being charged with three crimes after allegedly throwing an 8-month-old child down onto a chair and obstructing the baby's breathing.

Cody Allen Phillips is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child.

All three charges are misdemeanors.

The alleged incident, possibly in connection with a domestic argument, was reported at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, at a location on Route 20, Alexander.

Phillips was arraigned and jailed on $1,500 bail.

In Alexander on Saturday, it was time once again for the Alexander Fireman's Parade. 

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

Freelance photographer John Spaulding submitted these photos from the tractor pull in Alexander last night.

If you missed the roar, dust and black smoke, there's plenty of opportunity for more tonight with tractor pulls resuming at 7 p.m. The track is behind the fireman's rec hall off Route 98 on the south side of town.

The annual kiddie parade is at noon and the fireman's parade is at 4 p.m.

The band Red Creek performs at 9 p.m. The grand prize drawing is at 10 p.m.

More pictures after the jump (click on the headline):

Ashley R. Keene, 24, of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Keene is accused of providing bath salts to a juvenile to snort.

Chad E. Merle, 31, of 3225 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged criminal contempt, 1st. Merle is accused of sending multiple text messages to a person protected from contact by a court order.

Jamie E. Andrews, 19, of 15 School St., Batavia, is charged with harassment,1st. Andrews is accused of continually following around her ex-boyfriend and driving by his house repeatedly for no legitimate purpose. Andrews was previously arrested by Batavia PD for allegedly harassing her ex-boyfriend.

Valerie Marie Covill, 23, of Oaklawn Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and unlawful possession of marijuana. Covill was charged following a one-vehicle accident at 12:014 a.m., June 28, at 3064 Galloway Road, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl and Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Peter James Przybyl, 19, of Peachy Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unreasonable speed on a curve. Przybyl was arrested following a motor-vehicle accident at 3:10 a.m., Saturday, on Route 19, Bergen. The accident was investigated by Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

Kelly Elizabeth Howard, 19, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Howard was allegedly observed by loss prevention at Target shoplifting June 8 and July 16. Howard allegedly stole merchandise worth $64.60.

Quentin Israel Humphrey, 20, of East Bethany Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Humphrey is accused of hosting an underage drinking party.

Justin Baehr, 21, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Baehr was observed early Sunday morning allegedly driving erratically, swerving in and out of his lane on West Main Street, Village of Le Roy, and operating with a loud exhaust. During the traffic stop, officers allegedly found marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia and other apparent drug paraphernalia. Additional drug charges possible pending the outcome of lab tests.

Michael Perdue, 49, of West Broad Street, Rochester, and Jeffrey L. Hayes, 47, of Meadow Circle, Avon, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Perdue was allegedly operating a vehicle at 4:46 p.m., Sunday, on Route 237 in Byron. Perdue was stopped for allegedly speeding. An ID check revealed Perdue allegedly has 13 prior suspensions on his driving record. Hayes was allegedly found in possession of a crack pipe with residue. Perdue was stopped by Deputy Brad Mazur, who was assisted at the scene by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Matthew James Pietrzykowski, 19, of Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Pietrzykowski was taken into custody following a report of a vehicle in a dith at 1:15 a.m., Sunday, in the area of 3630 Broadway, Alexander. The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Nicholas A. Antonucci, 25, of 4192 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with burglary, 2nd, grand larceny, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th. Antonucci is accused of stealing a shotgun from a residence in the Town of Gainesville and of stealing a dirt bike from a residence in the Town of Covington. The shotgun was reportedly recovered in Batavia. Antonucci was already in the Wyoming County Jail on $100,000 bail charged with other burglaries and thefts. On each of the new charges, $50,000 was added to Antonucci's bail.

Jordan Kyle Prentice, 21, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWAI, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to keep right and driving left of pavement marking. Prentice was stopped at 12:42 p.m., June 22, on Judge Road, Alabama, by Sgt. Tom Sanfratello for allegedly driving down the middle of the road. Prentice is accused of driving under the influence of marijuana.

Bradley Micheal Crandall, 44, of Lake Street, Le Roy. Crandall is accused of stealing cans of beer from Tops in Le Roy. He was apprehended after a short foot chase by a store employee.

John Arthur Smith, 45, West Bergen Road, Le Roy, is charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Smith is accused of interfering with an investigation into a domestic incident. He allegedly pushed a deputy's arm away several times as the deputy attempted to place him into custody.

Sarah P. Nichols, 29, of 112 Ellsworth Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Nichols is accused of stealing $50 from the cash drawer at her place of employment on West Main Street.

Lucas George Yauchzee, 22, of West Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Yauchzee is accused of grabbing another person by the arms and pushing that person backwards during an argument.

Christine M. Krug-Leach, 45, of 703 W. Ferry St., Buffalo, is charged with DWI, DWAI and refusal to submit to breath test. Krug-Leach was stopped at 11:11 p.m. on West Main Street, Le Roy, by Le Roy PD following a report of an erratic driver.

Matthew R. Mancini, 26, of Bedford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Mancini was stopped at 11 p.m., Tuesday, in the Village of Alexander by State Police.

Scott Sullivan, 32, of Darien, is charged with a traffic device violation (sign). Sullivan was issued an appearance ticket by State Police on Wednesday morning.

Matthew S. Ryan, 29, of Chittenango, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ryan was detained by State Police in Darien at 7 p.m., Tuesday.

Route 20 is being closed to truck traffic between Route 63 in Pavilion and Route 77 in Darien because of an overnight tractor-trailer accident.

At 12:58 a.m., a tractor-trailer overturned on Route 20 in the area of Brookville Road, Alexander.

According to a dispatcher, the trailer broke away from the truck and the axles broke off the trailer.

A tow company is on scene now trying to upright the trailer.

Alexander Fire Department is on scene.

No injuries were reported.

UPDATE 6:38 a.m.: Chief Lance Schaulau on scene this morning said the driver reported swerving to miss a deer and went off the north shoulder of the roadway. The westbound truck was hauling retail items for a discount chain. Deputy Kevin Carlson estimated that Route 20 wouldn't open until after 7 a.m., and perhaps not before 8 a.m. Route 20 is closed to all traffic between Route 98 and Brookville Road.

UPDATE 7:38 a.m.: Two trucks are arriving on scene to gather up the spilled product.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: Darien fire at Route 77 and Pavilion fire at Route 63 are going back in service. Route 20 is reopened to truck traffic. The area of the crash will be reduced to one lane of traffic with a deputy and state trooper on scene to direct traffic. Alexander fire, which has been on scene since 1 a.m., is going back in service.

UPDATE 8:58 a.m.: Road reopened about five minutes ago.

Nicholas Adam Antonucci, 25, of 4192 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with burglary, 3rd, two counts of grand larceny, 3rd, and one count of grand larceny, 4th, following a traffic stop on Ellicott Street in Batavia on June 26. Sheriff's K-9 Deputy Brian Thompson stopped Antonucci to arrest him on a warrant out of Attica Town Court, which was ordered following an investigation of stolen four-wheelers and dirt bikes from homes in the Attica area. The suspect in the thefts was arraigned in Attica Town Court and put in Wyoming County Jail on $100,000 bail. In addition, a search warrant was executed at Antonucci's residence and a 2009 Dodge pickup truck was seized. The investigation is continuing and numerous charges are pending. Those working the case include Genesee County Sheriff's investigators Timothy Weis and Chris Kautz, State Police Investigator Scott Mills and Trooper John Szymkowiak, and in Wyoming County, Sheriff's Investigator Aaron Anderson, Deputy Steve Miller, Undersheriff Greg Rudolph and Lt. Ed Till.

Douglas Peter Pytlik, 30, of Linwood Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with disorderly conduct and was arraigned in Darien Town Court at 1 a.m. this morning. He is accused of walking westbound on Route 77, in the middle of the road, obstructing traffic from passing by him. Sheriff's Sgt. Gregory Walker made the arrest.

Brent Edward Bierman, 23, of Wadsworth Hill Road, Scion, is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI -- driving with a BAC of .18 percent or higher, driving without headlights, and not wearing a seat belt. Bierman was arrested at 1:03 a.m. this morning following a traffic stop on Sumner Road in the Town of Darien. Sheriff's Deputy Jason E. Saile made the arrest.

A 4-year-old is reportedly in the road at Route 98 and Peaviner Road, Alexander.

Law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 9:44 a.m.: The caller has the child safely off the road. A deputy is in route.

UPDATE 9:52 a.m.: Child has been reunited with his mother.

A garage fire, with heavy smoke showing, is reported at 33 Pearl St. City fire is responding. It's now a second alarm.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: A responder on scene says the fire is fully involved. There are no people inside. There is some fire exposure to an adjacent structure. Alexander's Fast Team is called to the scene and the Town of Batavia will send a fire crew to fill in at the city station. Two mercy rigs are called in case needed.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: Now they are saying people are believed to be still inside the structure on the second floor.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: Elba's "Cascade" is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: The fire has spread to the house. The location is between Franklin Street and Brooklyn Avenue.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: The fire inside has been knocked down.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: A truck at the site is also on fire.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: They've confirmed that there's no one inside the structure. National Grid is called to the scene.

UPDATE 2:09 p.m.: They checked for extension into the small attic. There is smoke and heat, but no flames.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: The Salvation Army is called to provide cold drinks at the scene.

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: Power to the structure has been disconnected. The American Red Cross is called to provide housing for five adults.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: City command reports that the fire is under control.

UUPDATE 2:41 p.m.: Three cats and one puppy are unaccounted for. The three cats lived in the downstairs unit and the puppy lived in the upper apartment, where the fire extension occurred.

UPDATE 2:58 p.m.: The cats are actually kittens, and two of the three have been rescued.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m.: All three cats have been rescued -- only two were kittens. No word still on the pup.

UPDATE 3:16 p.m.: Residents of the building say more than five people lived there. They say five lived upstairs, three lived downstairs and two in the basement. The fire started in the garage. Two people are being interviewed at the police station.

UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: Town of Batavia and Elba are back in service, and so is East Pembroke, which filled in at the town's station.

UPDATE 4:03 p.m. (by Howard): As of about 20 minutes ago, the puppy had not been located. It's a 10-week-old chihuahua.

UPDATE 4:16 p.m. (by Howard): City building inspector requested to the scene.

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: Ladder 15 and Engine 12 are back in service. Others from city station remain at the scene to continue their investigation. The code enforcement officer is there. Regretably, the puppy was found. He didn't make it.

A year ago, teacher and volunteer firefighter Jim Burkhardt, a lifelong distance runner, decided to do a community fundraiser.  His plan: run around the track at Alexander Central School for 24 hours.  Between rain and injuries, he didn't quite make it, but the effort is starting to evolve into an annual event.

This year, the community came together to raise money for Dollars for Scholars and the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department.

Instead of just Burkhardt running, the whole community was invited to the track from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to run or walk was much as each they wanted.

Thirty-seven walkers and runners joined the event this year, from age 2 to age 84.

The event included music, food and door prizes.

Organizers say they're already starting to plan for next year. They might cut down from an all-day event to a half-day event, so more participants will be at the track at the same time.

Stephen A. Lewis, 31, of Corfu, is charged with disorderly conduct. Lewis is accused of fighting and violent behavior. The alleged incident was reported at 5:59 p.m., Tuesday, at 8132 Buffalo Road, Bergen. Lewis was held without bail.

Robert Lee Ealey, 26, of Phelps Avenue, Rochester, was arrested on a county court bench warrant. Ealey was released from the Monroe County Jail and turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Ealey was jailed pending arraignment.

Cody L. Amrhein, 20, of Alexander, is charged with assault, 3rd, and menacing, 2nd. Amrhein was arrested by State Police stemming from an alleged incident at 9:02 p.m., Tuesday. Amrhein was released on his own recognizance. No further details were released.

Regarding yesterday's accident on Route 98, the drivers involved where Daniel J. Dragon, 26, of Albion, and Wanda A. Pangrazio, 47, of Albion. The State Police Web site lists no citations issued nor arrests made. The Trooper who handled the investigation is out of the office today, so no further details are available.

Rodney L. McKenzie, 47, of Orangeville, is charged with two counts of menacing, including a count that alleges the use of a weapon. McKenzie was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 11:20 a.m., Sunday, in the Town of Alabama. No further details were release.

Paul H. Burch, 32, of Townline Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Burch was stopped by Le Roy Police Saturday in the Village of Le Roy.

Roger K. Rumble, 27, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, refusal to take a breath test and speeding. Rumble was stopped by Le Roy Police Saturday in the Village of Le Roy.

Marche La'Shon Brown, 26, of Doran Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Brown was stopped at 3:15 a.m. Sunday on Route 98, Batavia, by Deputy Matt Fleming.

Coretta Melissa Pitts, 44, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Pitts was allegedly at the residence of a person she was ordered not to contact.

Jeffery M. Johnson, 24, no permanent address, is charged with menacing, 3rd. He was arrested by State Police for an incident reported at 11:27 a.m. Sunday in Oakfield. Johnson was held in jail.

Jerod P. Norcross, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Norcross was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 3:50 p.m., April 11, in Alexander.

Michael J. McCarthy, 24, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and inadequate plate lamp. McCarthy was stopped by State Police at 2:35 a.m. Saturday in the Town of Batavia.

It was the turn of Alexander High School students this morning to see firsthand what happens at a serious motor-vehicle accident as part of the annual effort by Genesee County's volunteer fire departments to education young people about the dangers of drinking and driving and texting and driving.

Today's scenario involved a student who was pinned under a vehicle that had rolled over and suffered what's known as a compartmental injury. The fictional victim's injuries were such that once the weight of the car was removed from her body, she died. The pressure from the car prevented her from bleeding out and kept her internal organs in place. This scenario allowed time, fictionally, for the victim's parents to arrive at the scene for their final goodbyes.

Another fictional victim was seriously injured and airlifted by Mercy Flight. The fictional driver of one of the cars was given a field sobriety test and arrested.

Alexander fire staged the event with the help of Darien fire, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight, the Sheriff's Office, State Police and the school's SADD group.

Some of these photographs are pretty emotional. It's worth emphasizing, this was a drill. Nobody was hurt and nobody died.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer firefighter or medic, visit Ready Genesee.

If you have trouble viewing the slide show below, click here.

A gray SUV veered off the pavement and struck a tree at 2971 Dodgeson Road in Alexander. There may be minor injuries. The trooper on scene has called for a medic to evaluate those involved. Alexander fire, or perhaps Darien, will be responding along with a medic. The vehicle's damage is said to be substantial.

UPDATE 5:42 p.m.: The vehicle ended up on nearby Seward Road.

A fully involved shed fire is reported at 2700 Old Buffalo Road. Alexander Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Darien, Attica and Bethany. A lot of black smoke is showing. The structure is estimated to be about 20 by 25 feet in size. A residence is nearby.

UPDATE 5:07 p.m.: Units from Corfu and the Town of Batavia are also called. The location is near Darien - Alexander Town Line Road.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: There are "power lines all over" -- they are down and responders are told to use caution upon approach. National Grid is called to the scene.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: Attica and Lippold roads are closed. Eastbound traffic is shut down.

UPDATE 5:46 p.m.: Bethany is back in service.

UPDATE 6:01 p.m.: The fire is out. Responders are back in service. Presumably, the roads have been reopened.