corfu

Darius Lamar Jones (inset photo right), 28, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana; criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree -- a Class B felony; and third-degree criminal trespass. Jones was arrested after a domestic incident at 12:26 p.m. on June 24 on North Spruce Street. Jones allegedly fled on foot and was taken into custody after a short pursuit. While arresting Jones, Batavia police allegedly found a substance suspected to be crack cocaine, fentanyl strips and sales packaging material. Jones was arraigned in Batavis City Court via Skype and jailed without bail. He is due back in city court at a later date (unspecified). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Raymond B. Howard Sr. (inset photo left),  56, of Curlew Street, Rochester, is a convicted sex offender charged with failure to verify a change in address within 30 days -- first offense; and failure to register a new address within 10 days. Both charges were issued Dec. 23. Howard was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court and arraigned on June 21. He is due to return to city court on July 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges.

Rachael L. Rodvik, 43, of Barry Street, Sweden, is charged with: falsifying business records in the second degree; falsifying business records; petit larceny; and fourth-degree grand larceny. At 7:56 a.m. on June 23, Rodvik was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court after an investigation by Batavia Police Det. Jason Ivison into a fraud incident that occurred from Dec. 1 through April 30 on Liberty Street in Batavia. She was arraigned in city court, then released on her own recognizance. She is due to return to city court on Aug. 13. Assisting Det. Ivison in the case were Batavia Police Officer Samuel Freeman, assisted by Nicole McGinnis.

Donald Michael Walls, of Willow Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree and trespass. At 2:04 a.m. on June 28, Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro stated in an incident report: "I observed Walls in the act of stealing multiple pieces of patio furniture from Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant." After his arrest, Walls was released on appearance tickets and is due in Town of Pembroke Court on July 29. Jordan was assisted in the case by Deputy Ryan Young.

Luis J. Santiago, 32, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at 10:30 a.m. June 23 after a domestic incident at an aprtment on Edwards Street in Batavia. It is alleged that he contacted a person protected by an order of protection. After he was processed at Batavia police headquarters, he was released with an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on July 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer John Gombos.

Nicole Patricia Lucca, 27, of Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; DWI -- first offense; and moving from lane unsafely. After a motor-vehicle accident at 4:18 a.m. May 17 on Knowlesville Road in Alabama, Lucca was arrested on the charges. She is due in Town of Alabama Court on Aug. 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

A caller to dispatch reports several kids are playing in the water at Indian Falls, below the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant, and she says she's asked them to get out of the water and they refuse.

Genesee County Sheriff's deputies are responding.

The eatery is located at 1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu.

Submitted photos and press release:

Oak Orchard Health is pleased to announce that Pembroke Family Medicine will be joining them on July 1. Their common mission, shared values and dedication to patients make this unification easy to understand.

Both healthcare organizations provide services to everyone regardless of medical insurance status.

All Pembroke locations will remain the same and their patients will retain the same primary care provider. The only change they’ll see are the signs for Oak Orchard Health on the Pembroke locations in Batavia, Alexander, and Corfu.

“Oak Orchard Health aligns perfectly with our current model of practicing high-quality, patient centered care," said Dr. Mary Obear, of Pembroke Family Medicine (inset photo, right).

"Joining Oak Orchard allows us to offer more services to our patients including vision, dental, behavioral health and patient engagement services. We can now truly offer a comprehensive patient experience."

Both organizations were recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as Patient Centered Medical Homes which focuses on improvements in quality of the patient experience, growing staff satisfaction, and reducing health care costs.

“We’re excited to welcome Pembroke Family Medicine patients and providers into our organization," said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO, Oak Orchard Health (inset photo, left)

"It’s a natural collaboration since we share so much in common. And we are pleased that their patients will now have access to a full spectrum of care. We look forward to working together."

You’re invited to an outdoor ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 1 at 9 a.m. at the Pembroke Corfu location. The address is 860 Main Road, Corfu. We will be wearing face masks and practicing social distance.

Oak Orchard Health 

Originally founded in 1966, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve.

Currently serving more than 22,000 patients at six locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with locations in the towns of Brockport, Albion, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

As the restoration of the Union Hotel continues, work crews discovered a historic artifact: A billboard poster for the Ringling Brothers Circus and a performance one summer long ago in Batavia.

The advertisement was found paneling in the bar, said owner Tom Dix.

Dix said he doesn't know what will become of the billboard but "somehow it will be saved."

Below, Video from February 2019 about the effort to restore the Union Hotel.

Village of Corfu volunteer firefighters came to support Dave Saleh on Sunday in his fight against cancer, by parading past his house and showing off their new Fire Engine Tanker.

Dave, who has been active with the Fire Department for 45 years as a past Director, Vice President, and Commissioner, was an integral part in getting the truck refurbished for the department.

Dave's family is hopeful in his recovery, and is requesting to have everyone keep him in their prayers.

Photos and information by Philip Casper.

A caller to the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, who is roadside in a black Buick sedan, reports someone abandoned a pregnant dog in the area of 7921 Hopkins Road, Corfu.

The caller is near the Akron Road intersection, waiting for law enforcement to respond, and they have been dispatched.

Joshua Lee Baltz, 44, of Sparks Road, Pavilion, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a felony; driving while under the influence of drugs; and speeding -- going 76 in a 55-mph zone. Baltz was stopped for speeding on Alexander Road in Alexander at 11:51 p.m. on May 23 and allegedly found to be impaired by drugs. He was issued appearance tickets for Town of Alexander Court on July 21. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Warren David Post, 52, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- operating while having a BAC of .08 percent or higher; aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree; and failure to keep right. On May 24, Post was arrested at 4:44 p.m. on Pearl Street Road in Batavia following a traffic stop. He was released on traffic tickets returnable to Batavia Town Court on July 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Brianna S. Green, 23, of Batavia (no address provided), was arrested and charged with petit larceny following a shoplifting complaint at Walmart in the Town of Warsaw (Wyoming County). On March 29, it is alleged that she stole $65.82 in merchandise. Green was arrested on May 23 on the charge. She is due in Town of Warsaw Court on July 13. The case was handled by Wyoming County Sheriff's Sgt. Colin Reagan.

James F. Perry Sr., 35, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with five counts of second-degree criminal contempt, a Class A misdemeanor. Perry was arrested at 9:20 p.m. May 9 on State Street in Batavia following an investigation of a child crying in a residence. Perry was released with an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia City Court at 1 p.m. on June 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

William J. Galliford, 59, of Batavia (no address provided), is charged with trespass and second-degree harassment. Galliford was arrested at 10:45 p.m. at the Budget Inn on Oak Street in Batavia. It is alleged that he refused to leave after being told he was no longer allowed on the premises. It is also alleged that Galliford threatened a police officer. He was issued a computerized appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m. on June 16. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Amanda S. McDonald, 37, of Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested after an investigation into a complaint alleging that she allowed a minor to use an illegal drug. McDonald was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court June 16. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Alec Roberts.

Justin Paul Pawlowski, 41, is charged with: Aggravated driving while intoxicated -- with a child passenger; DWI; DWI -- drugs; and failure to keep right. At 9:23 a.m. on Feb. 14, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of driver on Route 33 in the Village of Corfu who was possibly intoxicated. The vehicle was stopped for an alleged failure to keep right and an investigation allegedly revealed the driver was impaired by drugs. Pawlowski was issued tickets returnable to Town of Batavia Court on June 29. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Christopher J. Diers, 37, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment. Diers was arrested after an investigation of a domestic incident that occurred at 10:50 p.m. May 9 at an apartment on State Street. He was released with an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on June 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Jacob J. Camerera, 29, of South Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Camerera was arrested after an investigation of a violation of an order of protection complaint at 8:42 p.m. April 29 on Hutchins Street in Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court on June 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Jordan McGinnis.

Adam Michael Jellison, 42, of Sierk Road, Bennington, is charged with second-degree harassment. Jellison was arrested on May 10 in connection with a domestic incident that occurred at 8:44 p.m. on April 2 on Columbia Avenue in Batavia. He is also charged with third-degree criminal mischief stemming from an incident at 4 p.m. April 30, also on Columbia Avenue. He was arraigned on both charges May 11 in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is to return to city court June 18. The cases were handled by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert.

Rae C. Cook, 31, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Cook was arrested at 3 p.m. May 11 following a larceny investigation. It is alleged that at 12:30 p.m. April 23 Cook committed petit larceny at Sav-A-Lot on Ellicott Street in Batavia. Cook was issued an appearance ticket, returnable to Batavia City Court on June 2, then released from custody. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Austin Hedges.

Margaret M. Pillo, 47, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Pillo was arrested following an investigation into a shoplifting incident that occurred at the Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia at 4:50 p.m. May 8. She was issued an appearance ticket then released and is due in Batavia City Court on June 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Press release:

Pembroke Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Now in its 21st year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the designation, Pembroke CSD answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music programs, Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

This award recognizes that Pembroke CSD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music.

ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.  

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music.

After two years of music education, research found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores that their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well.

Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children that in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory.

Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound; young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, “Striking A Chord,” also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, click here.

Supplies are dwindling for basic food items stocked at the Corfu Presbyterian Church food pantry, located at 63 Alleghany Road, which is operated in partnership with St. Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Church.

"We have a lot of elderly people, who used to go out to restaurants, relying on us," said pantry coodinator Paula Trapani.

If you can help, they are especially in need of:

• Canned fruit and vegetables
• SOUP, noodle cups, Top Ramen
• Canned tuna
• Canned chicken
• Pasta
• Pasta sauces
• Canned tomato products, most assuredly ketchup
• Peanut butter
• Jelly and jam
• Canned juice
• Cereal and shelf-stable milk
• Pancake mix and syrup

Trapani said meal items that can be prepared quickly are needed, adding that cake mix and canned frosting, or brownie and muffin mix would be nice treats, too.

The pantry is also running low on basic hygiene supplies and toiletries like soap and shampoo.

To help families pass the time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry is also making room to stockpile puzzles, board games, hidden word search booklets and the like.

There will be someone at the church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Please leave items on the bench outside and someone will retrieve them.

If anyone has questions or needs to drop off items at another time, please contact Paula Trapani at (716) 423-1907.

One thing they do not need is frozen French fries.

"Our freezer is stuffed with bags of frozen French fries from a truck that caught fire last week, I believe on Route 5, and they were able to salvage quite a lot of French fries -- I'm not kidding," Trapani said, adding that the freezer at the St. Kolbe's also chock full of them.

So don't forget the ketchup, folks...

UPDATED at 1:46 a.m. Sunday, March 29: Forgot to include crackers; all kinds of crackers.

Alexander Edward Seegar, 30, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree. He was arrested at 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 6 following the investigation of a domestic incident that occured at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. It is alleged that Seegar acted in a manner likely to be injurious to a child under age 17 and that he prevented a person from being able to leave the incident by restraining tham. Seegar was arraigned in Village of Corfu Court and released. He is due back there on March 2. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Thomas J. Wolcott, 35, of Buffalo Street, Bergen, is charged with second-degree harassment and obstruction. He was arrested after a disturbance at 7:10 a.m. Feb. 5 on Bank Street in Batavia. He was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and arraigned in Batavia City Court. He was then released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts.

Anthony Wade Travis, 56, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle without the owner's consent, and grand larceny in the third degree -- a Class D felony. He was arrested and arraigned in Le Roy Town Court on Feb. 7 for allegedly using a vehicle without permission at 7:07 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the 9300 block of South Street Road in Le Roy. Travis is due to return to Le Roy Town Court on Feb. 20. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

John Patrick Cummings, 39, Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- first offense; driving while intoxicated -- first offense; failure to use designated lane; failure to keep right (on a two-lane road); and failure to stop at a stop sign. Cummings was arrested at 1:37 a.m. on Feb. 5 on Ross Street in Batavia. Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis noticed a vehicle that was driving erratically and she stopped it. After an investigation, Cummings was arrested on the charges. He was issued multiple tickets and is due to be arraigned in Batavia City Court on Feb. 19. McGinnis was assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Jacob M. Paige, 19, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Paige was arrested after allegedly being found in the presence of a protected party at 8:11 a.m. on Feb. 4 on Bank Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Alec Roberts, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Press release:

Corfu Police Officer and Darien Deputy Town Supervisor David Krzemien is announcing his candidacy for Genesee County Sheriff. Krzemien is seeking endorsement from all party lines.

He started his more than 20-year law enforcement career right here in Genesee County. He graduated from the Rural Police Training Academy housed at Genesee Community College.

This foundational training opened the doors to many opportunities in the field of law enforcement.

Since that time, he has served as a police officer and then detective for the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority, known as the NFTA, where he led the Counter Terrorism Unit for seven years.

He also worked part time for the Blasdell Police Department, as a field training officer, court officer and detective for 14 years.

Now retired from the NFTA, Krzemien serves as a part-time officer with the Village of Corfu Police Department and is a seasonal deputy with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. He also serves on the Darien Town Board as Deputy Town Supervisor.

Krzemien, his wife Michelle, and their five children have lived in Genesee collectively for more than 30 years.

Robert William Devos, 31, of South Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident in the second degree. On Jan. 26, Devos turned himself in at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on the pending charge. It stems from an incident that occurred at the Citgo Gas Station on Park Road in the Town of Batavia at 6:10 p.m. on Jan. 17. Devos allegedly reported to patrons and store staff that there was "an impending occurrence of an explosion in the store." Devos was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released with a ticket to appear in Town of Batavia Court on Feb. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by Deputy Jared Swimline.

Nanette Louise Kappus, 63, of Angling Road, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 or higher; DWI; and driving left of pavement markings. Following a traffic complaint, Kappus was arrested at 6:59 p.m. Jan. 26 on Angling Road in Corfu. She was issued traffic tickets and is due in Town of Pembroke Court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by David Moore.

Aaron W. Smith, 32, who resides in Oakfield, was arrested by Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Harding on Route 39 in the Town of Castile on Jan. 25. He is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. While on patrol, Harding allegedly witnessed a passenger in Smith's vehicle, which was in front of the deputy's car, throw an item out of the moving vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated near Swyers Road. Smith was found to have two active suspensions on his driver's license out of Town of Alabama Court, where he is due at a later date. Smith's passenger was issued a citation for littering on a highway.

Octavio M. Tardy, 54, of Woodside Drive, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. On Jan. 21 at 4:30 p.m. Tardy was arrested for allegedly stealing items from the Dollar General Store at 412 E. Main St. in Batavia. Tardy was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Tuesday (Jan. 28). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Tonya M. Weber-Jackson, 35, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On Jan. 20 at 7:35 p.m. Weber-Jackson was arrested for allegedly stealing items from the Dollar General Store at 412 E. Main St. in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.