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Darien

Photo: Barn, Broadway and Smithley Road, Darien

By Howard B. Owens

Heading back to Batavia from the fire in Darien yesterday, I passed this barn I've passed many times, but this time it seemed like a good time for a picture. This seems like a very well-preserved barn. The location is just east of Smithley Road on Route 20.

Firefighters work hard to battle blaze in building built by Speedy Greco

By Howard B. Owens

By all accounts at the fire scene today, Speedy Greco was quite a character -- he sold cars and Airstream trailers, collected antiques and raced cars.

He also had a bit of money and built himself one heck of a sturdy building at 1606 Broadway, Darien.

That strong construction made it difficult for firefighters from Darien, Corfu, Town of Batavia, Alden, Bethany, Attica, East Pembroke and Bennington to fight a fire that had climbed into the roof of Speedy's former car dealership.

The wood on the roof was at least four inches thick, possibly six inches in some places. That made it hard to vent the roof and get water onto hot spots.

The building, now owned by M & M Fabricating, Inc., was heavily damaged as a result.

M & M is a metal fabrication business.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

There were no reported injuries. The fire was reported at 2:45 p.m.

Assisting at the scene were the Sheriff's Office, City of Batavia's Fast Team, Mercy EMS and Genesee Emergency Management.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Commercial building on fire on Route 20, Darien

By Billie Owens

A working fire is reported at M&M Fabricating at 1606 Broadway Road (Route 20) in Darien. There are multiple hazards on the site of this commercial building, including a number of propane tanks which some neighbors report have exploded. The fire has already gone through the roof of the building. Darien Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Corfu and Alden.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Mercy medics are heading to the scene in case they are needed. The location is west of Colby Road. The fire has gone to a second alarm. There have been multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting this incident.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: Alexander is called in along with the city's Fast Team.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: Fire police are told to shut down westbound traffic at routes 20 and 238.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: At the fire scene itself, Route 20 is shut down in both directions.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m.: Bennington is sending in a truck. National Grid is notified.

UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: A ladder truck from the Town of Batavia Fire Department is called to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: All interior crews are ordered out of the building. Sheriff's deputies are on scene, too.

UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 3:46 p.m.: Wyoming Correctional Facility inmates are enlisted to help out.

UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire returning, back in service.

UPDATE 8:04 p.m.: A backhoe is being brought in to start peeling back the metal roof on the building, "not to knock it in," a chief says. Monroe County Water Authority requested to the scene to shut off water to the building.

UPDATE 9:10: p.m.: Westbound Route 20 is open.

UPDATE 9:39 p.m.: Route 20 opened in both directions.

UPDATE 9:42 p.m.: All units back in service.

Law and Order: Driver gets vehicle stuck on lawn on Naramore Drive, charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Weston J. Johnson, 24, of 173 Hollybrook Road, Brockport, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right and speed not reasonable and prudent. Johnson was reportedly driving northbound on Naramore Drive, Batavia, at 2:36 a.m., Sunday, when he failed to safely negotiate a curve in the roadway. Johnson's vehicle crossed the south shoulder of the roadway and became stuck in the lawn of a residence. Upon further investigation by Officer Darryle Streeter and Sgt. Dan Coffey, Johnson was found to be allegedly driving drunk. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Sarah E. Gioia, 20, of 9 Pringle Ave., upper, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Gioia allegedly threatened another person with physical injury while at Tops at 8:50 p.m., Friday.

Mark D. Tomaszewski, 50, of 4 Franklin Ave., Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and failure to use a turn signal. Tomaszewski was stopped Saturday by Le Roy PD for alleged traffic violation.

Traci Kiniko Jones, 18, of Thomas Avenue, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Jones was allegedly at College Village after being banned from the property.

Amanda Jane Slack, 25, of Strouts Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Slack is accused of stealing $248.57 of merchandise from Walmart.

Bradley Richardson Hanpeter, 26, of Kiwassa Road, Saranac, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and possesion of a controlled substance not in original container. Hanpeter was stopped for an alleged traffic infraction at 6:15 p.m. Friday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrict Reeves. Hanpeter was also allegedly driving on a suspended driver's license.

Aboubaker Thiam, 18, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd. Thiam was allegedly at College Village after being banned from the property.

David B. Marsceill, 35, of Elba, is charged with menacing, 2nd, criminal mischief and criminal contempt, 1st. Marsceill was arrested by State Police on Old Ford Road, Elba, on charges related to an incident reported at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Village of Elba. Marsceill was held without bail. No further details released.

Hector G. Riguard, 31, of Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Riguard was stopped at 2:09 a.m. Sunday at Main and Lewiston, City of Batavia, by State Police.

State Police have released the names of the drivers involved in Friday's accident on Route 98, Alexander. The driver of the northbound sedan was Tianshu Liu, 25, of Rochester, and the driver of the southbound vehicle was Mary B. Meides, 45, of Darien. The name of Liu's passenger was not released. No charges are listed in the blotter item.

Doug Kelly brings innovation and a passion for the outdoors to job at Darien Lakes State Park

By Howard B. Owens

NOTE: Earlier this year, the Chamber of Commerce published its annual Genesee County Tourism magazine and for the second year in a row, The Batavian participated in the publication by producing photos and stories. Today, for our Sunday reading, we're publishing four of our stories. For more on why Genesee County is a great place to live and to visit, click here for VisitGeneseeNY.com.

Doug Kelly gets to do things every day he really enjoys: Helping to maintain a diverse and interesting ecosystem and providing people with a place to play and relax.

"This park is a kind of joy for me," said Kelly, who is manager for Darien Lakes State Park. "I enjoy being able to work outdoors and have interaction with people who have come to be in the outdoors. I can teach them a little and give them something to enjoy."

Kelly overseas a more than 1,800 acres of woodlands and meadows with thousands of plant and animals species, a 12-acre recreational lake (boating, swimming and fishing), and 158 campsites.

In his four-year tenure as park manager he's introduced weekly music concerts and disk golf as well as overseen various conservation measures, including partnering with a local group to reclaim several acres of former farmland into meadows.

The park is traversed by more than 18 miles of trails, both for hiking and snowmobiling, and the picturesque-in-places Eleven Mile Creek.

"The amount of open space is really one of the park's strengths," Kelly said. "There are a variety of paths for activities and all of it is open for recreation, hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hunting. That's a real plus for the park. You're able to camp here, hike here, swim here. That's the benefit of the park."

Kelly, who is married with two school-age children, lives in his hometown of Perry, in Wyoming County, just south of Genesee County. He started his parks career as a teenager at Darien Lakes, working as a recreation assistant.

As he completed his bachelor's in technology of wildlife management at SUNY Catskills, he moved his way up in park management. After a stint with the Delaware parks system, he moved back to New York and managed Beaver Island on Grand Island.

When the chance came to return to Darien Lakes, he couldn't let the opportunity pass by.

"The biodiversity of the park is special," Kelly said. "The land can vary so much, from older forest -- stands of trees that have been here before the park was formed -- to meadows we are helping to restore and maintain, and the shrub in between. That kind of layout gives the park a great number of different communities and habitats."

One of Kelly's biggest innovations at the park has been disk golf. The year-old course is bringing in amateur and pro golfers alike from throughout Western New York. Expert golfers find that the new course, which winds through an old apple orchard and wooded hills, presents a fun challenge.

Though Kelly doesn't play the sport himself, he learned how successful a course could be at Beaver Island.

"To see people that come in, a new group of people that never would have come if we didn't have this activity here, is really exciting," Kelly said.

He believes the challenging course will grow in popularity as more disk golfers learn about it.

All-in-all, Kelly said he will continue to work to find ways to improve the park and make it more attractive to the people of Western New York.

"Once in a while I hear, 'wow, I never knew this park was here,' " Kelly said. "If we can reach out and grab people who wouldn't normally come to the park and then they see what we have and come back year after year, that is really good."

Law and Order: Man accused of firing shotgun at fox, stray BB hitting neighbor

By Howard B. Owens

Gregory Scott Snyder, 44, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd. Snyder allegedly shot toward the roadway at a fox he believed to be injured using a 12-gauge shotgun. A BB from the shell reportedly hit a neighbor. Deputy Joseph Corona and Deputy Tim Wescott handled the case. The State Police and the Department of Environmental Conservation assisted.

Crystal L. Kiebzak, 30, of 1359 Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with petit larceny, issuing a bad check in the Town of Batavia, and issuing a bad check in the Town of Darien. Kiebzak allegedly drafted checks to buy goods and services from businesses in Darien and Batavia from a nonexistent checking account.

Mindy Maria Miller, 23, of Clay Street, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Miller is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Samantha Marie Kent, 19, of East Shelby Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Kent is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Melissa M. Morton, 27, of 4802 W. Middlebury Road, Bethany, is charged with petit larceny. Morton is accused of stealing cupcakes valued at $9.99 from Tim Horton's.

Joseph A. Ferrando III, 45, of 5 Buell St., Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Ferrando was taken into custody by Officer Arick Perkins following an investigation after allegedly being found behind the wheel of his vehicle, which was still running, on Liberty Street at 10:30 p.m., Wednesday.

Timothy M. Pendleton, 27, of 4 Cedar St., Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, criminal trespass, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Pendleton is accused of going to the residence of a person he knows on Wednesday and entering without permission and harassing that person. On Thursday, officers Jason Davis and Eric Hill attempted to arrest Pendleton and he allegedly resisted arrest. Pendleton was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Big barn fire on Route 20, west of Francis Road, in Bethany

By Billie Owens

The second alarm is called for a fully involved barn fire in Bethany at 4658 Route 20, just west of Francis Road. A deputy there reports black smoke billowing from the barn. The road will be shut down. The Bethany chief is on scene and all equipment from his department is called in.

Mutual aid is requested from Darien, Alexander, Attica, Town of Batavia, the city's Fast Team, and the Village of Wyoming. Stafford is called to stand by in Bethany's fire hall. The city's first platoon is called to stand by in headquarters.

The occupants are out of the house. Power is shut off in the barn. Vehicles have been removed from the property. The propane tank is also shut off.

UPDATE 3:34 a.m.: Westbound Route 20 is shut down at Texaco Town (the junction of routes 63 and 20).

UPDATE 4:01 a.m.: Command reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 4:45 a.m.: The town and city units from Batavia have returned to quarters. Wyoming responders are released.

UPDATE 6:39 a.m. (by Howard): For the past 45 minutes or so, mutual aid departments have been going back in service. Bethany remains on scene. Photo: Reader submitted photo.

Law and Order: Two Rochester men caught allegedly transporting 2 lbs of marijuana through Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Hector Antonio Leon-Figueroa, 31, of Avery Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, speeding and obstructed license plate. Omar Leon-Figueroa, 30, of Curlew Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana. Hector Antonio Leon-Figueroa's vehicle was stopped at 4:36 p.m. Saturday on I-490, Bergen, for alleged traffic violations by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. During the stopped, McCarthy allegedly discovered the vehicle was carrying two pounds of marijuana. Hector Antonio Leon-Figueroa was jailed without bail. Omar Leon-Figueroa was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Joshua T. Fullmer, 20, of 3124 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. While Batavia police officers investigated an incident at 3:41 a.m. Saturday, Fullmer allegedly approached and shouted obscenities at the officers. He allegedly acted in an aggressive manner and squared off in a fighting posture. Fullmer was subdued and taken into custody. He was later released on an appearance ticket.

Alexander A. Chandler, 21, of 25 Bacon St., Le Roy, is charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Chandler is accused of punching another person in the face several times, causing cuts and and breaking the victim's glasses, while at Denny's, 364 W. Main St., Batavia, at 12:41 a.m. Sunday.

Andrei P. Sliker, 22, 11172 Silver Road, Bethany, is charged with disorderly conduct and harassment, 2nd. Sliker allegedly tried to punch the manager at the Days Inn during a disturbance at 3:25 a.m. Sunday. As officers attempted to take Sliker into custody, he allegedly became belligerent and shouted obscenities.  Sliker was jailed on $250 bail.

Cheryl M. Lyons, 47, of 119 State St., Apt. 4, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She is accused of stealing a laptop computer from another person.

Michael Patrick Sullivan, 50, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Sullivan is accused of throwing a box that contained a computer modem at a female, striking her in the head. He also allegedly punched the victim in her chest. Sullivan was jailed on $500 bail.

Fawn Lynn Marie Kaczmarek, 24, of Darien, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Deputies Kevin McCarthy and Patrick Reeves responded to a reported altercation between two people at 9:25 p.m., Friday, and found Kaczmarek allegedly with an infant outside not wearing appropriate clothing for the 33-degree weather.

UPDATE, this just in from the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office:

Deric J. Hewitt, 28, of South Jefferson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana, DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate brake lights and failure to notify DMV of address change. Hewitt was stopped at 1:30 a.m. Friday in the Village of Perry by Deputy Colin Reagan. Also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle was Hewitt's reported passenger, Sean M. Miller. Hewitt was released to a third party after his vehicle was towed.

House fire reported on Sandpit Road, Alexander

By Billie Owens

A working house fire is reported at 11030 Sandpit Road. Alexander and Darien fire departments are responding, and Town of Batavia and Attica are called for mutual aid. The location is said to be at or near "the old school house." Law enforcement on scene reports the propane tanks are shut off but the blaze "is really cooking." They have not yet determined if the occupant(s) are out. They are embarking on a search.

UPDATE 10:22 p.m.: The power company is called to the scene.

UPDATE 10:24 p.m.: National Grid is advised, no ETA given.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: A patient has been located.

UPDATE 10:42 p.m.: At least one patient suffered multiple burns and CPR is in progress. Possibly another patient is en route to an area hospital.

UPDATE 10:44 p.m.: The firefighters are now focusing on rehabing the structure. themselves as need be.

UPDATE 10:48 p.m.: One person is at UMMC, transported by Alexander #10.

UPDATE 10:51 p.m.: Bethany firefighters have also assisted on this call.

UPDATE 11:03 p.m.: National Grid has a 20-minute ETA.

UPDATE 11:09 p.m.: Alexander #10 is returning to the scene. The sole victim was not the homeowner but a male house sitter.

UPDATE 11:14 p.m.: The Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 11:17 p.m.: Mercy Medics who responded are told to go back in service.

UPDATE 11:21 p.m.: The power company is on scene.

UPDATE 12:07 p.m.: The sole victim transported to UMMC subsequently died, according to Tim Yaeger, Genesee County Emergency Management coordinator. More T/K.

UPDATE 1:52 a.m.: All Alexander units back in service.

GCEDC approves incentives for five business expansions

By Howard B. Owens

Reed Batavia Properties, LLC, 39 Washington Ave., Batavia, has been approved for $140,861 in tax incentives for upgrades to its building. Reed purchased the building from Batavia City Schools. The 13,452-square-foot building is the former administration building. Reed will renovate the building for medical/office use. Genesee County is currently designated a Health Professional Shortage Area. The assessed value is $475,000. The property was formerly tax exempted and will become taxable at the current assessed value. Reed will receive a tax abatement PILOT on the increase in assessed value over the current assessed value, which is an anticipated tax savings for Reed of $76,361. Reed will also receive sales tax exemption on construction materials, furniture and fixtures of $52,000 along with a mortgage tax exemption of $12,500. Reed is investing $1.5 million in the project and expected to create six new jobs.

Yancey's Fancy, Inc./D&Y Cheeses, Inc., 857 Main Road, Pembroke, is planning a $10.2 million expansion. GCEDC has approved $980,000 in incentives. The expansion will increase capacity and create new flavors and cheese types. All packaging will be performed at the facility. The company will also build new offices. The current facility is 29,000 square feet. The expansion is 65,000 square feet plus a 25,000-square foot expansion of the second floor. The sales tax exemption is $320,000 with a mortgage tax exemption of $112,500 and PILOT of $547,533. Yancey's Fancy has pledged 50 new jobs within three years.

Darien Lake Theme Park, is investing $5.2 million in new rides and upgrades to the park and accommodations. The company will receive a $328,939 incentive package through GCEDC. The project includes construction of new cabins, a new "launch ride," and a laser light attraction. The upgrades are expected to take three years to complete. GCEDC has approved a sales tax exemption of $181,600 and a PILOT of $147,339. Darien Lake provides more 400 full-time equivalent jobs, including 2,000 seasonal workers. The expansion is expected to create six new jobs and retain 422 FTEs.

Fontrick Door, Inc., 9 Apollo Drive, Batavia, is expanding through acquisition of the building at 1 Treadeasy Ave., Batavia. Frontrick Door is investing $500,000 to purchase the $31,919-square-foot building, where it plans to develop a window manufacturing location in 2014. GCEDC has authorized a mortgage tax exemption of $6,250. 

Bonduelle is planning to make a $3.2 million capital investment in its plants in Oakfield, Bergen and Brockport. This is mainly a retention project to upgrade facilities, according to GCEDC. The majority of the investment will be made at the Oakfield plant, where a lima bean line will be installed. Bonduelle has secured contracts with farmers for 2,500 acres of lima bean production. The upgrades are expected to lead to 12 new seasonal -- five months -- jobs in Oakfield. Bonduelle is receiving a $250,000 grant for the project. Jobs retained: 305.

Barn fire reported on Sharrick Road, Darien

By Billie Owens

A barn fire is reported at 1880 Sharrick Road in Darien. The location is between Harper and Colby roads. Darien fire and Mercy medics are responding, along with mutual aid from Corfu fire.

UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: First responders report heavy smoke is showing.

UPDATE 4:07 p.m.: This is a confirmed working structure fire.

UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: A tanker from Alden is responding.

UPDATE 4:19 p.m.: "Fire knocked down. Checking for extentions."

Law and Order: Felony DWI arrest in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Eric Halsey, 22, of 2 Goade Park, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to keep right and using handheld mobile phone device while operating a motor vehicle. Goade was stopped by Le Roy PD after allegedly crossing a center yellow line. He allegedly has a prior DWI conviction in the past 10 years. Halsey was jailed without bail.

Kevin Bruce Martin, 29, of 20th Street, Niagara Falls, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Martin turned himself in to Niagara Falls PD on a bench warrant issued out of Town of Batavia Court. Following arraignment in Town of Batavia, he was jailed on $500 bail.

Jeffrey Russell Hamill, 34, of Glenwood Drive, Attica, is charged with DWI, speed not reasonable and prudent, moving from lane unsafely and refusal to take breath test. Hamill's arrest follows an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile into a motor vehicle accident at 4:41 a.m., Feb. 3, on Route 238, Darien.

For the third time, Niagara County cop enters not guilty plea in alleged Darian Lake assault

By Howard B. Owens

Each time Niagara Falls police officer  Kelly Alcorn has appeared in court, it's been to answer to a new charge stemming from the same alleged incident Aug. 25 at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Each time she's entered a not guilty plea.

"And we mean it," said her attorney Norman Effman after her appearance in Genesee County Court this afternoon.

Alcorn is accused of getting into a scuffle with another patron inside the ladies' room at the Jason Aldean concert.

According to an indictment handed down by the Genesee County Grand Jury, Alcorn allegedly slammed the victim's head against a cinder block wall.

Alcorn was originally charged with misdemeanor harassment, but the alleged victim contacted Buffalo media to complain that she had been much more seriously injured and that she thought Alcorn should face a more serious charge.

A few weeks later, Genesee's District Attorney's Office upgraded the charge to third-degree assault after reportedly receiving medical reports, and then when the case was presented to the grand jury, the charge became assault in the second degree.

As a 20-year veteran of law enforcement, a felony conviction could end her career.

Effman confirmed today that Alcorn is currently suspended without pay.

During bail review with Noonan, Effman said that Alcorn is divorced, lives in Grand Island and shares custody of her two teenage children with her ex-husband.

She was released on her own recognizance, as she has been since her initial arrest.

The case reached this stage, Effman said, largely because of pressure exerted by the alleged victim, who has pushed the case through the media.

Effman said that any time a defense attorney takes on a case, he starts preparing for trial, but in the Alcorn case, Effman said he thinks a trial is likely, rather than a plea deal.

"She has a positive history in law enforcement," Effman said. "She has a positive history as a citizen. All of that will play into how we defend the case."

Darien man killed in early morning crash on Route 238

By Howard B. Owens

A 25-year-old man from Darien was pronounced dead at the scene of a two-car accident on Route 238, Town of Darien, this morning.

Timothy R. Bezczynski was pronounced dead by Coroner Kristine Flanagan.

The driver of the other car, Mary P. Dufour, 59, of Dale, was transported to ECMC by an ambulance with a fractured leg and other injuries.

A Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Bezczynski and a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Dufour hit head on on snow-covered Attica Road about a mile southeast of Griswold Road shortly after 6 a.m.

A deputy who arrived on scene first notified dispatchers of a possible fatality.

Darien Fire Department and Ambulance Service and Mercy EMS were dispatched. Mercy Flight was grounded due to weather.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble said that investigators have yet to determine which vehicle crossed the center line.

Bezczynski was headed eastbound and Dufour was westbound.

Both victims required extrication from their vehicles by Darien fire volunteers.

Route 238 was closed in both directions for about three hours following the accident.

Assisting in the investigation are Deputy John Weis, Deputy Lonnie Nati, Deputy Jason Saile, Deputy Eric Seppala and Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Alexander fire and Attica fire assisted with traffic control. Mercy EMS also assisted at the scene.

Serious injury accident on Attica Road, Darien

By Billie Owens

A serious injury two-car accident is reported on Attica Road (Route 238) near Griswold. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene and Darien fire and ambulance are responding along with Mercy medics from the city.

Traffic at routes 20 and southbound 238 is being shut down. Fire police from Alexander and Wyoming County are called to assist with traffic. Mercy Flight is unavailable due to weather.

UPDATE 6:32 a.m.: Traffic police are called to Darien-Alexander Townline Road for traffic control.

UPDATE 6:34 a.m.: It's a head-on collision and members of the Crash Management Team are responding to the scene.

UPDATE 6:40 a.m.: A patient has been extricated from one of the vehicles.

UPDATE 6:44 a.m.: Darien ambulance is transporting a patient to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 7:17 a.m.: All Alexander units are clearing the scene.

UPDATE 7:42 a.m.: One person was killed in this accident, according to a fire official at the scene.

UPDATE 9:03 a.m.: The road should reopen in 10 to 15 minutes. Town of Alexander Highway requested to plow and salt Route 238.

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: Route 238 is open.

Grand Jury Report: Niagara Falls police officer accused of felony assault in Darien

By Howard B. Owens

Kelly L. Alcorn is indicted on a count of assault, 2nd. Alcorn is accused of slamming a victim against a cinder-block wall at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Aug. 25. (Prior Coverage: Alcorn is a Niagara Falls police officer who was initially charged with a misdemeanor; her alleged victim pressed for upgraded charges).

Nicholas A. Antonucci is indicted on two counts of attempted grand larceny, 3rd, petit larceny and two counts of criminal mischief, 4th. Antonucci is accused of attempting to steal a 2007 Yamaha snowmobile with a value of $5,000 from a location in Alexander, and of attempting to steal a 2006 Yamaha snowmobile with a value of $4,000 from a location in Alexander, on or about Jan. 6, 2010. He is accused of stealing on the same date a backpack containing a Leatherman tool, flashlight and beer. He is accused of damaging the ignitions on the snowmobiles. (Prior Coverage)

John R. Chrisley is indicted on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Chrisley is accused of sexual contact with a child less than age 11 during the summer of 2011.

Armand P. Cummer is indicted on counts of felony DWi and felony driving with a BAC of .08. Cummer is accused of driving drunk Aug. 26 on Route 5, Town of Pembroke. Cummer is alleged to have a prior DWI conviction in 2008.

Francis S. Smith is indicted on a count of burglary, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Smith is accused of breaking into a residence on Washington Avenue, Batavia, on Jan. 1.

Law and Order: Batavia woman accused of making purchases at GCC with stolen credit card

By Howard B. Owens

Franchesca Anais Barrome, 20, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Barrome allegedly had possession of a credit card and student ID of another person that she used to make purchases at GCC. Barrome was jailed on $2,000 bail. The investigation is pending and additional charges are possible.

Cory M. Dahl, 20, of Pavilion, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Dahl was arrested following a report of a domestic disturbance on Dutton Road, Warsaw, on Feb. 13. Dahl is accused of damaging a rear door and a window. Dahl's 19-year-old girlfriend and infant child were reportedly at the residence at the time.

Tate N. Westermeier, 20, of Darien Center, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana and driving without headlights. Westermeier was stopped by State Police Feb. 14 by State Police in the Village of Attica. Genesee County Deputy Howard Carlson, a trained drug recognition expert, assisted in the investigation.

Micahel J. Lathan, 27, of Batavia, was arrested by State Police on a Wyoming County Family Court warrant. Lathan allegedly failed to meet obligations set forth in a prior family court appearance. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Cameron John Corner, 18, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Corner was arrested along with a 16-year-old West Main Street resident for allegedly shoplifting from Kmart.

Carlos Enrique Reyes, 38, of Lyell Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Reyes is accused of violating a stay away order of protection by placing a phone call to the protected person.

A 17-year-old resident of East Main Street, Batavia, and a 16-year-old resident of Otis Street are charged with petit larceny. The two female youths were allegedly observed stealing wooden pallets from Empire Tractor.

GCEDC approves tax assistance for three projects, including Darien Lake expansion

By Howard B. Owens

The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board of Directors has approved assistance with the following projects:

Darien Lake Theme Park. Darien Lake is planning new cabins and new rides for 2013. The total investment by Darien Lake is $5.2 million and theme park management sought assistance with $1.9 million of the investment. The board approved a PILOT (reduced property tax on the increase in assessed value due to the improvements) worth $147,339 over 10 years. The project will also save $132,000 on sales tax for construction materials. The project is expected to generate six additional full-time equivalent jobs. Darien Lake employees more than 400 FTEs.

Reed Batavia Properties, LLC. Reed is in the process of purchasing the former Batavia City Schools administration building at 39 Washington Ave., Batavia. The company is planning $1.525 million in improvements to the building, converting it to medical offices. The GCEDC board approved a $76,361 PILOT, $52,000 in sales tax exemption, and a $12,500 mortgage tax exemption. The project is expected to generate six new jobs.

Batavia Hospitality, Inc. (Days Inn / Super 8). The company is planning on investing $530,000 in building improvements, including a new pitched roof, exterior facelift and interior upgrades. GCEDC's board approved a PILOT worth $54,198 over 10 years and sales tax exemption of $28,000. The project is expected to create five new jobs and help retain 16 jobs.

Route 238 closed

By Billie Owens

North and southbound Route 238 is closed. That's in Darien.

Two local students named to dean's list at Clarkson University

By Billie Owens

The following students were named to the dean's list for the Fall 2012 semester at Clarkson University.

Andrew T. Lichtenthal, of Batavia, a freshman majoring in Aeronautical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Jacob D. Muench, of Darien, a sophomore majoring in Aeronautical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Dean's list students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.

Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. ABC News and PayScale list Clarkson as one of 12 schools whose new graduates earn more than Harvard's. It's located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam.

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