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Law enforcement asking for Bergen fire's help in locating missing tot

By Billie Owens

A 2-year-old is missing from 7278 Maple Ave. in Bergen. Law enforcement has called for Bergen volunteer firefighters to help locate the tot. They are asked to started their search at Maple Avenue on Route 33.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: Child has been found. The fire department is asked to stand down.

Law and Order: Two teens arrested after officers respond to report of marijuana ordor in apartment

By Howard B. Owens

An 18-year-old Le Roy resident and a 17-year-old Le Roy resident are charged with endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of marijuana. Le Roy PD responded to a report of the smell of marijuana in an apartment. After a brief investigation, officers concluded the youths possessed and smoked marijuana in the apartment while two youths under age 17 were present. The 18-year-old was jailed on $500 bail. Le Roy PD did not release the names of either individual.

Christopher E. Merrell, 53, of Bergen, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, no seat belt, inadequate exhaust, illegal window tint and unlicensed operation. Merrell was stopped by State Police on Route 98, Alexander.

Law and Order: Drug charges follow traffic stop in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

Jacqueline Raj Garrett, 36, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and uninspected motor vehicle. Garrett was stopped at 5:37 p.m. Sunday on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy Michael Lute. Garrett was jailed on $100 cash bail. A passenger, Aaron D. Swimline, 29, of Tinkham Road, Darien, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jeanette Higgins, 39, of 23 Holland Ave., Batavia, is charged with two felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count of petit larceny. Higgins is accused of submitting forms to DSS that didn't disclose cash child support payments. Higgins allegedly received $208 in food stamp payments in February and March for which she wasn't entitled. Higgins was arrested by a Sheriff's deputy following an investigation by DSS.

Adrionna S. Ellison, 18, of Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd. Ellison was reportedly ordered to leave College Village property and not return. A security officer later allegedly found her hiding under a bed in one of the apartments. She was arrested by State Police and issued an appearance ticket.

Lydia Grossi-Young, 45, of Hopkins Road, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Grossi-Young was alleged involved in a domestic incident at 2 p.m. Sunday in Batavia.

Daniel Paul Molina, 35, of West Broad Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, unlicensed operator and driving a vehicle without proper stop lights. Molina was stopped at 6:47 p.m. Saturday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona. Molina allegedly has more than 10 prior driver license suspensions. Molina was jailed on $5,000 bail.

A 16-year-old resident of County Route 53, Arkport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was a passenger in a vehicle stopped at 6:06 p.m. Saturday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona, and allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Jaime Lynn Killinger, 38, of West Taft Road, Le Roy, was arrested on warrants stemming from a DWI charge and a charge of driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Killinger was arrested by the Irondequoit Police Department and turned over to the Sheriff's Office and jailed on $500 bail.

Eric Robert Root, 18, of West Avenue, Spencerport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Root was stopped at 6:54 p.m. Friday on Parkview Drive, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Kyle Timothy Johnson, 25, of Park Avenue, Waterport, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument. Johnson was arrested at 1:52 a.m. Friday on West Main Street, Le Roy, by Deputy Joseph Corona, after allegedly being found in possession of a hypodermic instrument he was not legally allowed to possess.

Jason L. Cramer Sr., 30, of Water Street, Attica, is charged with burglary, 3rd, petit larceny and criminal mischief, 4th. The arrest stems from an alleged incident reported Nov. 6 at a residence on Liberty Street, Batavia. Cramer was jailed without bail.

Andrew L. Kosiorek, 43, of Wood Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Kosiorek allegedly failed to comply with terms of Drug Treatment Court and was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Mark W. Grabowski, 57, of Chestnut Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an unreasonable noise charge.

Enclosed porch on fire at house on Sautell Road, North Bergen

By Billie Owens

An enclosed porch attached to a house is reportedly on fire at 5995 Sautell Road. Bergen fire and Mercy medics are responding. Everyone is out of the structure, according to the caller. The location is between North Bergen and Warboys roads.

UPDATE 10:18 p.m.: Fire out. Ventilating.

UPDATE 10:38 p.m: Picking up equipment and preparing to leave.

Two-car accident with unknown injuries reported on I-490

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident is reported in the area of mile marker 3.4 of the I-490.

Injuries are unknown at this time.

Bergen fire and ambulance and Le Roy fire dispatched.

UPDATE 10:44 p.m.: Apparently, no injuries.

Law and Order: Former Le Roy resident accused of cruelty to ducks and chickens

By Howard B. Owens
Howard Schultz

Howard Clarence Schultz, 56, of Chili Avenue, Rochester, is charged with five counts of cruelty to animals. Schultz was reportedly a resident of 8798 Keeney Road, Le Roy, where he kept duck and chickens as pets. He allegedly moved from the property in late January and left the ducks and chickens behind without making arrangements for their care or relocation.

Christopher John Naugle, 45, of Apple Tree Avenue, Bergen, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. During an argument reported at 9:06 p.m., Saturday, Naugle allegedly flipped over a table, slapped and poured beer on a person in the presence of two children.

Michael Leonard Farrell, 45, of Clio Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a controlled substance not in its original container, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and obstructed plate. Farrell was stopped at 10:55 p.m. Monday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

James Raymond Corp, 35, of Brewerton Road, Syracuse, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and obstructed plate. Corp was stopped at 10:12 p.m. Monday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Corp was allegedly found in possession of 11,000 untaxed cigarettes.

Kathy BethAnne Woodbeck, 39, of Montgomery Street, Canjoharie, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and obstructed plate. Woodbeck was stopped at 11:08 p.m. Friday by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Woodbeck was allegedly found in possession of 23,000 untaxed cigarettes.

Elbert L. Flint, 39, of Morse Place, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Flint was allegedly found in possession of a cane sword.

Law and Order: Man arrested on weapon charge after report of shots fired in Basom

By Howard B. Owens

Jonathan Chris Shirley, 33, of Council House Road, Basom, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, failure to comply with lawful order, unlicensed operation, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and no use of signal lamps. Shirley was stopped at 8:24 a.m. Sunday by Deputy Chad Cummings following a complaint of shots fired in the neighborhood on Council House Road, Basom. Shirley's vehicle was stopped and he was found to allegedly be a felon in possession of a weapon. He was jailed without bail. Deputies Christopher Parker, Brad Mazur and Cory Mower, along with State Police assisted in the response and investigation. 

Alexander D. Sweeney, 23, of Redfern Drive, Churchville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Sweeney was stopped at 1:20 a.m. Sunday on Lake Street, Village of Le Roy, by Le Roy PD.

Timothy L. Freeman, 46, of Pavilion, is charged with menacing, 3rd. Freeman allegedly threatened a woman during an argument at a residence in Covington. State Police responded. He was jailed on $2,500 bail. An order of protection was issued.

William S. Smith, 47, of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Smith was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop at 10:57 p.m. Saturday on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Kenneth Russell Hernandez, 49, of Adams Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant stemming from a petit larceny charge. Hernandez was arrested upon his release from the Monroe County Jail, arraigned in Bergen Town Court, and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Kristine Elizabeth Harmon, 37, of Lincoln Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, speeding and driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate. Harmon was stopped at 12:36 a.m. Friday on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Allyn Jay George, 49, of Council House Road, Basom, is charged with menacing, 2nd. George allegedly threatened another person with a firearm during an argument, which was reported at 5:53 a.m., Friday. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Field fire on Swamp Road, Bergen

By Billie Owens

A field fire is reported at 7939 Swamp Road. Bergen fire department is called.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: The caller told dispatch he was burning trash and now the blaze is moving toward his neighbor's house.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Mutual aid is requested from Byron, Le Roy and Stafford fire departments. Each is asked to send in a brush truck.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Holley and Churchville were also called and are now put back in service along with Stafford.

UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: The fire is out and the assignment is back in service.

Liberty Pumps making progress on three-phase expansion

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Liberty Pumps, a manufacturer of sump, sewage and wastewater pumps is undergoing a major expansion of its facilities in Bergen, New York.

The construction, which doubles the size of the current facility, will occur in three phases over the course of 2015. In total, the expansion will add over 123,000 square feet to the corporate operation in Upstate New York.

Phase one, already underway and nearing completion, is 81,600 square feet of additional manufacturing area. The added space will allow for new manufacturing cells, increased warehouse area for component inventory and expanded machining operations. A new powder coat line is also planned as part of this expansion. Phase two, scheduled for completion in May, increases the research and engineering lab, service area and features a new lunchroom facility for its members. The 14,200-square-foot lab expansion allows for the addition of new equipment required for Liberty’s recent qualification as a CSA test facility. The area also features an additional 20,000-gallon test pit designed to support Liberty’s expanding product line.

Phase three – a 23,000-square-foot sales/marketing wing and product training center -- is slated to begin construction in April with a target completion date of August. The new wing features an 80-seat multipurpose room, product display area for hands-on product training and demonstrations, as well as additional offices, a historical product display and visitors lounge.

Randall Waldron, V.P. of Sales & Marketing, said “As our products continue to advance technically, we realize product knowledge is critical -- not only to our sales team, but for those who use and install our products on a daily basis. The new product training center will allow us to better share this knowledge in a way that provides a great experience as well.”

Credit: Building rendering by Smart Design, of Batavia.

Crash with injuries and entrapment on Route 490

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries and entrapment is reported on Route 490 in the area of mile marker 1. The entrapped person's vehicle is wedged against a tree. This is on the Bergen/Churchville border. Le Roy fire and ambulance responding along with Bergen fire. Churchville was also dispatched.

An accident has been reported on Interstate 490 near Sheridan Road

By Julia Ferrini

LeRoy Fire, LeRoy Ambulance, Leroy Medic One and Burgen Fire have been called to the Churchville, Burgen Corner, at Interstate 490, near Sheridan Road, for a reported accident with possible injuries, blocking the road.

Person is believed to be trapped in vehicle.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: Bergen back in service.

Law and Order: Driver charged with DWI after leaving scene of reported argument in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Alexander Natal, 28, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Natal allegedly left the scene of an altercation in Bergen and drove a vehicle on Buffalo Road at 2:42 p.m. Saturday while intoxicated. Natal was stopped by Deputy Joseph Corona.

name redacted, 22, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an unlicensed operation, 3rd, charge. xx posted $250 cash bail.

Seth R. Doster, 23, of Alleghany Road, Darien Center, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a parked on sidewalk charge. Doster turned himself in and was issued an appearance ticket.

McKayla J. Kosiorek, 20, of South Jackson Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay fine imposed by City Court. Kosiorek turned herself in and posted $100 cash bail.

Maria K. Frieday, 41, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and tampering with physical evidence. Frieday was allegedly involved in an incident at 1:45 p.m. March 12 at 127 North St., Batavia.

Kory R. O'Grady, 42, of River Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. O'Grady was charged following an alleged domestic incident reported at 4 p.m., Sunday. He allegedly pushed another person and threatened to kill everyone if his daughter was removed from the residence.

Brock Thomas Barry, 27, of Blackwell Lane, Henrietta, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and failure to stop at stop sign. Barry was stopped at midnight Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

John Joseph Simmons, 42, of Bedford Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to dim headlights, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and driving without an interlock device. Simmons was stopped at 2:02 p.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Michael Lute.

The Grand Jury of Genesee County also released the following indictment:

Justin L. Pyatt is indicted on a count of menacing a police officer or peace officer. It's alleged that Pyatt, on Feb. 16, while at 113 Jackson St., Batavia, did attempt to place a police officer in reasonable fear of physical injury or even death by displaying a knife.

Crash with injuries at routes 19 and 33, Bergen

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Routes 19 and 33, Bergen. Bergen fire is on scene and medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: A 44-year-old male was reported having chests pains. Bergen ambulance is en route to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Car crash at Cook and West Sweden roads, Bergen

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident, unknown injuries, is reported at Cook and West Sweden roads in Bergen. It is blocking traffic. Bergen fire and Mercy medics are responding.

Byron-Bergen tops Notre Dame in hard fought girls hoops playoff game

By Howard B. Owens

It was a nifty little move under the basket, a no-look reverse layup from Byron-Bergen's Abbie Kelley. The kind of play good players make.

In this case, it couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Head Coach Rick Krzewinski said it was perhaps the difference maker in the game.

The Lady Bees got to that point by allowing Notre Dame to go on an 11-0 run at the start of the third quarter to erase a 10-point lead for Byron-Bergen in the Section V Class C1 playoff game.

The reverse of fortunes had a familiar ring to the Bees, who lost a home game earlier this season to the Fighting Irish after blowing a first-half lead.

Krzewinski told his players in the locker room at the half, "looks familiar doesn't it?"

One of his girls said, "don't even talk about it."

"Oh, we're going to talk about it," Krzewinski told his team, "because we're not going to let happen what happened last time."

The Bees apparently got the message, and Kelley's nifty basket provided the spark they needed to beat back Notre Dame's momentum.

"Players make plays and that was the perfect time for it," Krzewinski said. "We got our composure back, I thought, and started hitting some shots."

That basket and a three possession change of defense to a 2-3 zone, seemed to break the rhythm of the Irish girls.

Kelley, who has 393 points on the year, did more to carry her team than drop that one score. She was the game's leading scorer with 23. Nobody else on her team was in double digits.

"Today was Bergen's day," said Irish Head Coach Dave Pero. "In the fourth quarter, Abbie Kelley took the game over. We missed way too many free throws. We probably missed 14 free throws (10, actually) and in sectional play, in any game, you can't miss 14 free throws and think you're going to struggle to win. Sometimes you'll get lucky, but the luck of the Irish wasn't with us today."

B-B's diamond defense held Notre Dame's top two scorers to totals a shave below their season PPG averages. Becca Krenzer had 12 points and Shea Norton, 11.

Emma Francis didn't hit a single three and was held to seven points for the game.

"We had the shots we wanted," Pero said. "You have days when they're not going to go in and today was one of those days. But we fought to get back in third quarter and I don't know if we ran out of gas a little bit, we might have, but I've got to take my hat off to Bergen. They played a great basketball game. They played for 32 minutes and that's why they're moving on and we're not."

The Bees had 13 days off before the game and Krzewinski said the team used that time to work on the diamond defense thinking it would be effective against Notre Dame.

"We were hoping maybe we could force some turnovers, worst case maybe slow them down," Krzewinski said. "I thought the girls worked it well and the message was, it will work if you move and they moved. We got out of it what I wanted."

It's been 2008 since Byron-Bergen beat Notre Dame in a girls basketball game, and the Irish seem to be a chief rival for just about every team they play.  The win certainly made Bees fans happy, who whooped it up in the closing seconds of the game.

"Yeah, everybody wants to beat Notre Dame, obviously,"  Krzewinski said. "Year in and year out they're a team that everybody wants to beat and to be able to do this in a sectional game just makes it really sweet. I'm so proud of the way they (his team) played and hung in there and did this. I don't even know what to say."

Next up for Byron-Bergen, the #3 seed in the tournament, is #2 seed Gananda (16-3) at 6 p.m., Tuesday, at a location to be determined.

Pembroke, also a C1 team, lost today to East Rochester.

Oakfield-Alabama and Alexander also lost playoff games today, leaving Byron-Bergen, Batavia and Elba as the three Genesee County girls basketball teams still alive in the postseason. All three have games scheduled for Tuesday.

To purchase prints, click here.

Chimney fire reported on West Bergen Road

By Billie Owens

A working chimney fire is reported at 8029 W. Bergen Road. The location is between Selden and Randall roads. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding along with Bergen fire.

UPDATE 10:44 p.m.: The fire is out. A code enforcement officer is on scene. Le Roy ambulance is back in service.

Law and Order: Man in trouble for pictures posted to social media site

By Howard B. Owens

Stephen J. Turkasz, 24, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Turkasz is accused of posting photos of people who are the subject of a protective order on a social media Web site, in alleged violation of the order of protection.

Malcolm A. Kea, 27, Porter Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant related to a charge of operating while registration suspended or revoked. Kea was arrested at his residence for alleged failure to appear.

Curt Thomas Randall, 27, of Swamp Road, Bergen, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Randall was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday on Byron Holley Road, Bryon, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Benjamin G. Evans, 26, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Evans is accused of stealing from Tops Market, Batavia. Evans was arrested by State Police.

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