corfu

Below are the three Corfu torando-related videos that have appeared on YouTube so far.

Corfu this afternoon.

Ritchie Kirkum submitted this photo, which he shot (he received as a SMS message) in East Pembroke.

UPDATE: Picture submitted by Ian Cromwell

A funnel cloud, or tornado touched down in Corfu just before 5 p.m. knocking down about 15 power polls and numerous trees.

There is some building damage, but no serious damage has been reported so far.

No injuries have been reported.

The tornado was tracked by the National Weather Service heading toward Oakfield and was expected to reach there at 5:20 p.m.

The tornado has apparently not touched down elsewhere in Genesee County by 5:35 p.m. and was moving into Orleans County (if it still exists).

There has been the smell of natural gas in the village and work crews are being dispatched to shut down utilities, with an ETA of 25 to 60 minutes.

Portions of routes 33 and 77 have been shut down.

Initial Report.

UPDATE 5:44 p.m.: Tornado warning has been cancelled.

UPDATE: Audio interviews with witnesses, unedited:

• Interview one
• Interview two
• Interview three

UPDATE: Audio interview with the Corfu Fire Chief.

UPDATE: photo submission by a reader who asked to remain anonymous

Heather Wooton submitted this photo from her backyard in Holley.

UPDATE: 10:13 p.m.  Finally back from the scene, had some dinner ... my battery died out in Corfu, so I'll be doing some more updates now.

Submitted by Beverly Hensel.

A reader submitted this photo. I've seen it on the cellphones of multiple people. It may be the most widely distributed cellphone picture of the twister. TV news crews at the scene were complaining that they couldn't use it because nobody knows who took it. We here at The Batavian are quite confident it hasn't been doctored in PhotoShop. That just seems highly unlikely, so no concern about sharing it with you.

Reports of a tornado hitting Corfu are coming in -- several power lines down along Route 33, and the road is being closed from the fire hall to Route 77.

There are numerous 911 calls coming into the dispatch center.

Trees have also been knocked down.

The tornado is moving east.

UPDATE: Eastbound Route 33 is closed and southbound Route 77 is reported completely impassable.

A funnel cloud has been spotted moving toward East Pembroke. 

Route 77 at Route 20 is being closed in both directions.

There are reports of damaged homes and cars, but no injuries reported. (UPDATE: We're also hearing now houses in the village damaged, but fire crews are shutting off utilities.)

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has just issued a tornado watch:

* TORNADO WARNING FOR... GENESEE COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF BATAVIA... WEST CENTRAL MONROE COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK... SOUTHEASTERN ORLEANS COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK...
* UNTIL 545 PM EDT
* AT 503 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF OAKFIELD...OR 9 MILES WEST OF BATAVIA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... OAKFIELD BY 520 PM EDT... BYRON BY 545 PM EDT...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m. : No reports of the tornado touching down else where; it has been spotted from the Thruway.  At a location in Corfu there is the smell of natural gas. Emergency crews report that so far they've found "everybody OK."

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.: Smell of gas at the flower shop. Also, tree limbs spotted on train tracks in the area.

A 19-year-old Corfu man is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Kenneth W. Neuer, of 8990 Boyce Road is in Genesee County Jail on $10,000 after being charged with statutory rape, endangering the welfare of a child and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

When Genesee County Sheriff's deputies tried to confront Neuer at his residence, he allegedly tried to flee in a car he didn't own.

The case was investigated by Deputy Patrick J. Reeves and Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Kid Rock sure kept the cops busy last night.

We already told you about the more than 100 people busted by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, including the bus driver for Rock's entourage.

Now comes word from the New York State Police that troopers also arrested nearly a dozen people, plus wrote more than 50 tickets at two check points in Genesee County.

There was a traffic safety roadcheck on Route 77 in Pembroke, a DWI saturation detail in the Darien and a fixed DWI sobriety checkpoint on Route 33 and Colby Road in Corfu..

During the traffic safety roadcheck a total of 46 tickets were issued to motorists for a variety of charges including 8 tickets for violations of New York State’s Child Safety Seat Laws.  One arrest for unlawful possession of Marihuana was also made during the roadcheck.

Jennifer R Anderson, 29, of Allegany, NY was arrested for allegedly driving while ability impaired by alcohol.

John M. Caden, 38, of Roulette, PA was arrested for  alleged DWI.

James M. Carney, 22, of Batavia, was arrested for alleged DWI.

Jeffrey S. Hindle, 21, of Welland, ON was arrested for  alleged DWI.

Daniel R. Holahan, 21, of Rochester, was arrested for alleged driving while ability impaired by drugs.

Darra L. Lichy, 24, of Salamanca,  was arrested for alleged DWI.

Darrel W. Newark, 43, of Buffalo,  was arrested for alleged DWI.

James R. Soccio, 28, of Batavia, was arrested for alleged DWI.

Lani G. Stevens, 20, of Lawtons,  was arrested for alleged DWI.

Jessica A. Warner, 19, of Campbell, was arrested for alleged DWI.

Joshua A. Wheeler, 21, Mt. Morris,  was arrested for alleged driving with ability impaired by drugs and alleged unlawful possession of marihuana.
 

James H. Payne, 21, of 7017 E. Quaker St., Orchard Park, was charged with DWI and with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater following a traffic stop for allegedly failing to dim his headlights on Route 98 in the Town of Batavia at 2:34 a.m..

Wanda J. Jimerson, 32, of Irving (no address given) was arrested by Corfu Police early this morning following a traffic stop and charged with DWI. Jimerson was also issued a ticket for allegedly avoiding a traffic-control device.

Brian S. Weissinger, 39, of 88 Williston Road, Rochester, was reportedly observed in the VIP parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort and was advised not to drive. Moments later he was allegedly observed driving his 2001 Dodge Intrepid. Weissinger was charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.

Karl Matthew Churchill, 29, of 6018 Main Road, Stafford, is charged with harrassment. Churchhill allegedly made a threatening phone call to the Village of Corfu Court after receiving a traffic ticket for allegedly tinted windows.

Robert E. Magoffin Jr., 37, 3717 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Magoffin was allegedly doing 84 m.p.h. in a 40 m.p.h. zone on Route 20 in Darien when he was stopped.  He was ordered to appear in Darien Town Court on Aug. 18.

Daniel Nathan Bernard, 20, of 6083 Route 5, Stafford, is charged with petty larceny. Bernard is accused of stealing $60 in winning scratch-off lottery tickets from his father's locked car, which was parked at his father's house.

Eileen Barbara Ferrando, 37, of 53 W. Main St., Corfu, was picked up on a bench warrant issued in the City of Batavia for alleged unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Ferrando was turned over to the Batavia Police Department.

Scott Webb, 19, of 12 Grote St., Buffalo, is charged with petty larceny. Grote is accused of stealing game prizes from a game stand at Darien Lake Theme Park.

A 17-year-old from Corfu is accused of reckless driving and endangering the welfare of a child.  The youth allegedly drove at a high rate of speed down Chapel Street in Elba, losing control and coming within feet of striking a child riding a bicycle. The youth was issued an appearance ticket.

Five men from Rochester apparently thought they were pretty clever last night when they showed up to the CSX railroad tracks on Route 98 in the Town of Batavia with a plan to use a logging truck to steal scrap metal.

Not clever enough, though, to avoid observation by Sheriff's Deputies.

Deputy Chief Jerry Brewster told WBTA this morning that lawmen watched the alleged would-be thieves load the scrap metal onto the the logging truck and then tailed the vehicle into Batavia where the truck was stopped in a well-lit area.

The scrap metal was owned by Ed Arnold Scrap Processors of Corfu.

The five men arrested in connection with the case are:

Christopher H. Monfort, 37, of 113 Pine Street, East Rochester, charged with two counts of grand larceny. Monfort allegedly stole scrap valued in excess of $12,000 during the weekend of June 19-21. In last night's case, he's accused of trying to steal scrap worth more than $4,000. He is held without bail.

Anthony Toscano, 44, 918 S. Goodman St., Rochester, is charged with one count of grand larceny. He is held without bail.

Richard E. Riedman, 35, 542 Klem Road, Webster, is charged with one count of grand larceny. He is being held on $15,000 bail.

Anthony J. Russell, 35, of 75 Snug Harbor Court, Rochester, is charged with one count of grand larceny. He is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Timothy M. Stone, 29, 3735 Chili Ave., Rochester, is charged with one count of grand larceny. He is being held on $10,000 bail.

Assisting the Sheriff's Office were the State Police and the Batavia Police Department.

Andrew Kosiorek, 37, 53 W. Main St., #101, Corfu, is charged with criminal contempt and harassment following an alleged incident in Batavia. Kosiorek reportedly following a family dispute in which he allegedly struck another person. The person allegedly attacked is covered by a protection order.

Patricia M. Morris, 58, 5359 Horseshoe Lake Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI , driving with a BAC of .18 or more and driving left of road markings in a no passing zone. Morris was stopped following reports of erratic driving in the City of Batavia and Stafford.

Jennifer L. Heil, 26, 5690 Eagle Harbor Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI,driving with a BAC of .18 or more and driving left of pavement markings. Heil was charged following a traffic stop in Stafford.

Scott Doll's defense attorney Paul Cambria spent the afternoon trying to build a case that shows any evidence or statements gathered by Sheriff's Office deputies or investigators should be inadmissible in his upcoming murder trial.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman brought forward four witnesses -- a dispatcher, two deputies and an investigator -- to tell Judge Robert Noonan how they went about questioning Doll and gathering evidence the night in February when Joseph Benaquist was beaten to death in the driveway of his Pembroke home.

With Deputies James Holman, Patrick Reeves and Detective Kristopher Koutz, Cambria asked repeatedly about questions asked and evidence gathered prior to Doll being read his rights or actually being charged with murder.

About two hours after Doll was initially handcuffed and placed in the back of a police cruiser, Doll was charged with trespass for parking his mother's red Ford van on the auto repair lot at Main Road. and Route 5 in Pembroke.

Judge Noonan won't rule on the motion until receiving written briefs from both sides in the case. That could take seven or eight weeks.

Cambria is seeking a rulling that would throw out any statements Doll made prior to being read his rights, as well as any evidence gathered before he was charged with killing Benaquist.

Deputy James Diehl was the first officer on scene. He said he found Doll wandering on the east side on North Lake Road. When he stopped, he said, Doll turned around and walked back toward the cruiser. Diehl exited his vehicle. He motioned, he said, at an object he could see in Doll's pocket, and Doll put his left hand in the air, then slowly grabbed the object -- possibly a lug wrench -- with two fingers and dropped it to the ground.

Diehl observed what he believed to be blood on the knees and thighs of the camouflage jumb suit Doll was wearing. Doll also had what appeared to Diehl to be blood on his sneakers and on his face.

Doll told Diehl he was out for a walk because the doctor had warned him he needed to reduce his heart rate and his cholesterol, Diehl testified.

Doll reportedly told Diehl that he was walking up to Gabby Road to a friend's house and Diehl asked Doll if he wanted a ride, and Doll said he did.  Diehl asked Doll to sit in the back seat of the cruiser. Before getting in, Diehl said he told Doll he had leather seats and maybe he should let Diehl handle the lug wrench and jack Doll was carrying, and Doll agreed.

During questioning, Doll explained the blood on his clothing by saying that he butchered deer.

Diehl testified that he thought it was strange that Doll would be walking where he was on North Lake Road when he lives in Corfu, which has a much nicer village atmospher for a leisurely stroll.

The initial report of a suspecious person walking on North Lake Road came from an unidentified individual who apparently is a law enforcement official (he was identified in court by his call numbers only).  This individual later pulled up in a dark pick up truck and spoke with Diehl.

It was after this person arrived that Diehl decided to handcuff and search Doll.

Diehl then drove Doll to the corner of Main Road and Route 5, where Doll said he had left his van.

"I didn't know what was going on with the blood on him," Diehl said. "I wanted to see what was in the van, pretty much, 'where did the blood come from?'"

Diehl found blood on the van, on the ground next to the van and a pair of bloody cloves on the hood of a car next to the van.

Cambria, in his cross examination, drew special attention to how cooperative Doll was throughout this initial contact, making no attempt to feel, cooperating with every request and doing nothing, it would appear, to make him a suspect in a major crime.

He also ensured Diehl testified that Diehl never read Doll his Miranda warning (you've heard it on Adam-12: "You have the right to remain silent, etc."). 

Under cross, he also testified that at the time he discovered Doll and found all of the blood, that he didn't know if it was animal or human blood.

Cambria is also working to undercut the law enforcement case that Doll was legitimately questioned and detained because he allegedly trespassed on private property. With Diehl, as well as the subsequent witnesses, Cambria established that the property in question did not have a "no trespass" sign, was not marked "private property," did not have "no parking" signs, nor were there chains designed to keep vehicles out of the lot.

Doll was handcuffed in the back of the car for at least three hours before being transported to the Sheriff's Office on Park Road.

Benaquist's body wasn't found until 1:30 a.m.

The first back-up officer on scene, according Diehl, was Deputy Patrick Reeves. 

Reeves apparently knows Doll and his family.  He was very concerned, afraid even, he testified, that after seeing Doll covered in blood that Doll had harmed another person.  Reeves initiated an effort to locate members of Doll's family and ensure they were safe and to see if they knew anything about why Doll was in the shape he was in.

Reeves recounted this line of questioning with Doll (which Cambria would later note took place before Doll was read his rights -- also, Reeves said that at this point, his heart was racing and he was getting scared about what might have happened):

"Tell me it's deer blood," Reeves said.

"Enough about the blood," Doll responded.

Doll then said, "Do what you've got to do."

"What would you want me to do?"

"What about an attorney?"

"Who do you want me to call?"

"I don't know. I guess my divorce attorney."

He also asked him at some point, "Is that human blood," and Doll responded, "I can't tell you that. You know me better than that."

He said at that point, he started trying to contact anybody who might know Doll and what might be going on.

"I was really scared that Mr. Doll would know who was seriously injured or even dead."

Later, back at the Sheriff's Office, Reeves tesified that he overheard Doll say, "I didn't do it," but Cambria drew out of Reeves that Reeves didn't make a note of that statement in his reports.

Next on the stand was Det. Kristopher Kautz, a 20-year veteran of the department.

The key portion of Kautz's testimony dealt with his decision to allow a friend of Doll's visit him in the interview room.

Doll's girlfriend and this friend, Teresa Zolakowitz (spelling not available at this time) arrived at the station at 3:30 a.m.

Kautz said he questioned the two women at some length without revealing that a body had been found, but neither women had any information that enlightened him as to the circumstances of the case.

At this point, Teresa was insistent that she be allowed to talk with Doll. Kautz said never previously in his career had he allowed such a think, but she was so persistent, he decided to let her into the room, provided she agree that he could be present and take notes of the entire conversation.

Later, during cross from Cambria, Kautz did say that he did not give Doll the option of not taking part in the personal meeting with Kautz present, though when informed of the woman coming he, Doll did not object.

Kautz recounted the following questions and answers:

"What happened?"

"I was there, but didn't do it."

"Was something wrong at your pad?"

"No."

"Does this involve an animal?"

"No."

"Tell me there is no dead body."

"I can't do that."

After being allowed to review his notes, Kautz added that Doll also said, "Let the chips fall where they may," and "I'm going to be in jail for some time," and, "It's an open and shut case," and, "I will get what I deserve, I guess."

Again, Cambria noted that this conversation took place before Doll was read his rights.

On his final redirect, Friedman noted that DNA swabs were taken after Doll was charged with the crime, and that some key pieces of evidence -- such as the blood on his face and the bloody gloves -- needed to be properly secured before the evidence was lost or damaged, even though detectives had not yet determined what was going on.

After the hearing, I happened to overhear Doll say to a woman in the audience, "Be careful what you say. They will twist it out of context."

Stephen W. Quigley, 55, who is reportedly homeless and traveling from Texas to Ohio, was arrested by Sgt. Timothy Hays of Detective John Condidorio of the Le Roy Police Department yesterday on a charge of petty larceny. Quigley is accused of entering a local church and attempting to steal money from the candle prayer offerings. He is being held on $500 bail.

Robert W. Walsh, 22, of Rochester, was stopped by Corfu police for allegedly driving without headlights. Upon further investigation, officers suspected he was driving while intoxicated. He was charged with DWI and issued an appearance ticket.

Alana M. Thompson, 18, of Lockport was charged with DWI following a traffic stop by Corfu police for allegedly speeding in the village. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Kelly J. Hinkle, 20, of Addison, Maine, is charged with DWI. Hinkle was reportedly spotted on Route 33 in Batavia making an unsafe lane change and then stopping. He is accused of having a BAC of .08 or higher. Hinkle was issued an appearance ticket.

There were two arrests at last night's Kenny Chesney concert at Darien Lake:

Jordon E. Burns, 18, of Orchard Park, is accused of taking a wallet with a debit card in it from a parked vehicle. He is being held in Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Jessica A. Sheer, 18, of Caledonia, is accused of slapping another person in the face.  She is charged with disorderly conduct. Sheer was issued an appearance ticket and released.

The girlfriend of Joseph Benaquist told authorities the night Benaquist was killed in the driveway of his Pembroke home that Benaquist and murder suspect Scott Doll had a "troubled transaction" involving two vehicles, according to court documents filed with the County Clerk's office late this afternoon.

The revelation is contained in an opinion issued by Judge Robert C. Noonan, answering several motions filed by Doll's attorneys.

Noonan denied a motion to supress evidence obtained with a search warrant issued on Feb. 20.

Benaquist's battered body was found between two blood splattered cars in the early morning hours of Feb. 17, Noonan says in his opinion. The cars were a Pontiac G6 with a flat tire and a Nissan Altima with an automobile jack at its side.

The Pontiac was tagged with license plates from a Chevrolet Malibu purchased by Doll and Benaquist, but registered to and used by Benaquist.

Benaquist, Noonan writes, was scheduled to meet with Doll hours prior to the discovery of his body, according to Benaquist's girlfriend.  Phone records reveal Doll had called Benaquist earlier that afternoon.

A hearing on further motions is scheduled for June 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Read the full decision (PDF)

Four volunteer fire departments from Genesee County helped battle a blaze that destroyed two barns in Akron yesterday about 2:20 p.m.

Responding where Alabama, East Pembroke, Darien and Corfu.

Both barns were completely destroyed, along with their contents, which included tools, equipment and a Dodge van, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

The fire was discovered by Olivia Swendsen as she was tending her goats. It's believe egg incubator lights ignited the blaze.

It's possible the barns and some of the content was not insured, according to the report.

An Oakfield couple was allegedly found last night to posses a substantial amount of crack cocaine after the Genesee County Drug Enforcement Task Force obtained a search warrant for 26 S. Pearl St., Apt. 2.

Investigators reportedly found $300 in crack cocaine and $300 in marijuana during the search of the residence and related vehicles.

Taken into custody were Dennis "Dookie" R. Lloyd-Butler, 27, and Mandy Lloyd, 29.

Investigators reportedly found marijuana in the glove box of Mandy Lloyd's car.

Lloyd-Butler was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, and criminal possession of marijuana. Mandy Lloyd was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Lloyd-Butler is being held in Genesee County Jail without bail. Mandy Lloyd was issued an appearance ticket.

The Sheriff's Office reports additional charges are pending.

Assisting in the investigation were the Genesee County District Attorney's office, City of Batavia's Emergency Response Team, Genesee County Sherif's deputies, New York State Police officers and K-9 "Jay."

Patrick W. Collins, 46, of Batavia, is being held on $2,500 bail after allegedly attacking his wife. Collins reportedly threw his wife against a wall, put his hands around her neck and threatened to kill her. He is charged with menacing in the third degree. The alleged incident occurred last night around 11:30 p.m.

Martin G. Pacer, 29, of Corfu, allegedly violated an order of protection by punching another person in the face Wednesday night around 11 p.m. The incident occurred in Pembroke. He is charged with criminal contempt and harassment. Pacer is held in Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Michael J. Elmore, 18, of  Batavia, is accused of shooting 8-year-old boy in the leg with a BB gun at the skate park on Evans Street. Elmore is charged with reckless endangerment and endangering a child.

Megan J. Nenni, 21,of Albion, is charged with DWI following a traffic stop in the City of Batavia early Saturday morning.

Jake Myers, 19, of Batavia, was charged with possession of marijuana following a traffic stop early Saturday morning. Myers was also cited for drivers view obstructed, but no details on that violation were provided.

Eric L. Skeet, 20, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and possession of Marijuana following a traffic stop following a traffic stop on Pearl Street early Saturday morning. He is accused of having a BAC .08 or more.

UPDATE: Somehow I missed a couple of faxes from the weekend this morning. Below are additional items not part of our original report.

Jerod L. Trebian, 30, of Batavia, is charged with DWI stemming from a traffic stop for alleged speeding Friday evening in Pembroke on Route 77. He is accused of having a BAC of .08 or greater and driving 59 in a 40 m.p.h. zone.

Lazeuia D. Washington, 32, of Buffalo, was arrested in Darien for an alleged DWI, resisting arrest and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. She was placed in jail in lieu of $1,500 bail.

Shuvon Williams, 32, of Batavia, is accused of shoplifting from K-Mart. He is charged with petit larceny.

A bunch of teenagers in red T-shirts spent Friday toiling in the sun to fix up an old barn off Route 77 in Corfu. And they did so willingly, even enthusiastically.

They spent the day scraping off old paint, powerwashing, brushing on new red paint, replacing worn out two-by-fours and doing landscaping. They'll do the trim and wrap things up Saturday and then enjoy a well-deserved banquet Sunday.

The workers are students from BOCES in Batavia and Albion High School in Orleans County and the barn is one of only five chosen nationwide to get an overhaul thanks to a generous donation from the Campbell's Soup Company.

It's all part of a project to help sustain family farms and aid the next generation of farmers. It also provides scholarship money for a prestigious six-week leadership conference this summer in Washington, D.C..

The Campbell's initiative is being done in conjunction with the national Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Association, FFA student chapters, farm families and the agricultural community.

The soup maker ponied up $250,000 for the coast-to-coast campaign called "Help Grow Your Soup." Of those funds, $75,000 was set aside to refurbish five specially selected barns (at about $5,000 each) and provide scholarships to FFA students.

The barns, iconic symbols of family farms, had to be visible to the community and belong to a multi-generational farm family that produces something used to make soups.

The local one belongs to the Reynolds family, who operate a 600-cow dairy (for cream of broccoli, maybe?). The Reynolds also own 1,500 acres of land on which they grow feed crops. They sell their milk to Syracuse-based Dairylea Cooperative.

The other "Help Grow Your Soup" barns are in Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee and Kansas.

The hulking Allegheny Road structure is about 60 feet long and 40 feet wide and built sometime in the 1800s, no one seems to know exactly when. It's been used for hay storage but used to be where cows were fed and milked by John Reynolds' late parents.

The Reynolds built a new milking structure in 1997 and a new barn last year. Since the old barn was no longer essential, the family thought of tearing it down.

But family friend Barry Flansburg sort of intervened. He's also a Future Farmers of America alumnus and thought the Reynold's barn would be a good choice for the Campbell's opportunity. Apparently, his lobbying efforts weren't wasted.

"You're the first person I thought of, and you're right off Route 77," Flansburg said to Shelley Reynolds, who is delighted her family was chosen for the refurbishment project.

She likes what she and John do for a living, too.

"There's something about raising calves and seeing them become milk producers," Shelley said. "Sometimes you have to do chores on Christmas Eve, but you're responsible for it all and it's a good life. My kids never spent one day in day care. ... we operate as a family."

The family also includes Tyler, 18, MacKenzie, 17, and Andrew, 15.
Incidentally, MacKenzie is this year's Genesee County Dairy Princess and Tyler will be a freshman at Cornell this fall.

She says the kids say after college they'll come back to Corfu to run the dairy.

"It's their choice," she said, adding that it wouldn't be a bad one either.

Pictured above: Left: Christina Kirby, 11th grader at Albion; Right: Sarah Connor, 10th grader at Albion.

Robert D. Wood, 18, of Batavia, in being held without bail in Genesee County Jail and charged with a felony count of burglary. Wood is accused of helping another person enter an apartment so that person could attack somebody inside the apartment.

Tracylee Cayea, 39, of Livonia, is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Cayea allegedly violated an order of protection by going to her ex-boyfriend's home in Pavilion.

Michael J. Pask, 39, of Basom, is charged with DWI following a traffic stop in Oakfield. Pask was allegedly driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.

Daniel J. Staebell, 42, of Corfu, is charged with DWI following a traffic stop in Pembroke. Staebell was allegedly driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.

UPDATE: I initially missed the press releases for the following two arrests, so updating this post.

Derek F. McQueen, 21, of Corfu, charged with aggravated harassment and held on $500 bail. McQueen is accused of sending threatening text messages to his ex-girlfriend.

Robert J. Shutt, 26, of Batavia, charged with DWI following a reported traffic stop. He is accused for driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle.