Oakfield

Michael Thomas Coffey Sr., 48, of South Main Street, Albion, is charged with burglary, 2nd. Coffey was arrested following an investigation into a burglary on Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road in 2012. Coffey is already being held in the Genesee County Jail on unrelated charges.

Michelle Ann Hahn, 53, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; failure to keep right; failure to stop at stop sign; and refusal to take breath test. Hahn was stopped at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday on North Pembroke Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Ryan Young.

This rosebush is located on the corner of North Pearl Street and South Main Street in Oakfield. 

Bailey A. Kennedy, 20, of 85 Wolcott St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, unlawful possession of marijuana, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Bailey was stopped by Le Roy PD at 1:42 a.m. Sunday for an alleged traffic violation on Myrtle Street. During the stop, Kennedy was allegedly found in possession of 13 small baggies of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Kennedy was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Timothy Fredrick Hughes, 55, of Burbank Drive, Orchard Park, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, speeding, failure to signal, and unsafe passing. Hughes was stopped at 11 p.m. Sunday on Bennet Road, Darien, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Nicholas Ryan Dorson, 30, of Reed Road, Olean, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Dorson is accused of driving drunk in the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center at 6:32 p.m. Sunday prior to the Zac Brown concert, when Dorson's vehicle struck another vehicle. Dorson allegedly registered a BAC of .13 percent.  The incident was investigated by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Brian J. Hart, 33, of Lakeshore Road, Kent, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, and moved from lane unsafely. Hart was arrested after an investigation into a report of a vehicle off the roadway on Richley Road at 12:57 a.m. today by Deputy Howard Wilson.

Justin C. Holtfoth, 43, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Holtfoth was stopped at 6:25 p.m. Friday on Lewiston Road, Alabama, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Keith Adam Lowery, 47, of Clipnock Road, Bethany, is charged with assault, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Lowery is accused of kicking another person, breaking one of her ribs. He also allegedly through the victim's phone out of the trailer window when she wanted to call 9-1-1. Lowery was jailed without bail.

Carlene Victoria Santiago, 28, of Cherry Street, Batavia, is charged with falsifying business records, 1st, and petit larceny. Santiago is accused of making fraudulent gift cards at Walmart and using them at the store.

Timothy Micheal Weinstein, 45, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Weinstein allegedly violated at stay away order by sending text messages to the protected party. He was jailed on $7,500 bail or $15,000 bond.

Tyler William Reeves, 19, of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with petit larceny. Reeves allegedly stole property while at a residence in Pembroke. He is accused of stealing two camera lenses and a stereo with a total value of $475. He was jailed on $750 bail.

Tesla Renee Plantiko, 25, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. It's alleged that on Feb. 1, at 9:50 a.m., at a location on West Main Street, Batavia, with an outside temperature in the low 20s, Plantiko allowed her two small children outside unsupervised with inadequate clothing. Plantiko was reportedly sleeping at the time.

Gregory Seppe, 59, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with public intoxication. Seppe was charged after Officer Jason Davis responded to a complaint that Seppe was stumbling through yards and onto the street on South Swan at 2:40 p.m., Saturday. Davis reportedly observed Seppe stumbling through yards and bouncing off a telephone pole. Davis is a trained drug recognition expert and determined Seppe was allegedly impaired by drugs. Seppe was transported to UMMC and issued an appearance ticket on the charge.

Jamie L. Broadbent, 34, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Broadbent was arrested following a crewfew check on her at her residence. She was jailed on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond.

David T. Loucks, 37, of West Garden Road, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, speeding, unlicensed operation, reckless driving, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Loucks was stopped at 6:20 p.m. Friday on Pearl Street, Batavia, by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Charles J. Rodriguez Sr., 40, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Rodriquez is accused of stealing $44.95 worth of merchandise from Dollar General. Rodriquez was arrested on a warrant, pled guilty and was sentenced to jail concurrent with a guilty plea to an unrelated charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

Heidi L. Harder, 42, of Montclaire Avenue, Batavia, is charged with kidnapping, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawful imprisonment, Harder is accused of taking a child of a relative, locking herself and the child in her apartment and refusing to return the child. The child was returned to a caretaker unharmed.

Jordan S. Thomas, 18, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd. Thomas allegedly injured another person during a fight on Vine Street at 8:30 p.m., June 11.

Deborah S. Rodriguez, 49, of Farnsworth Avenue, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court for alleged failure to appear on a traffic violation.

Micheal J. Vanbuskirk, 43, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, operating without an ignition interlock device, and on a suspended registration. Vanbuskirk was stopped at 8:16 p.m. June 13 on Vine Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards.

The Genesee County representatives for the American Legion Boys State of New York met on Thursday night in Le Roy, before they depart on June 25. 

The American Legion Boys State is a weeklong program that immerses high school youth in citizenship and leadership training. While at Boys State, they learn the practical aspects of government in New York and participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities under the guidance of counselors and Marines. 

This year, Boys State will be held at SUNY Morrisville.

Bryce Bordonaro, Ryan Driscoll and Thomas Mellon are representing Le Roy; Jacob Brower is representing Waterport; Ethan Fischer, John Kindig, Nathan Loria and Joseph Marchese are representing Batavia; John Igoe is representing Oakfield; Nathan Knickerbocker is representing Byron; and Tyler Wood is representing Corfu.

(Photos by Maria Pericozzi.)

Kendra Lamb is passionate about dairy farming, so much so that she speaks at conferences, participates in education programs, serves industry groups and now she, and her family, are in a commercial promoting dairy. It started airing June 1 on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel.

The commercial was produced by Dairy Good, a national trade group that represents family-owned dairy farms, such as Oakfield-based Lamb Farms.

Leslie and Gordon Lamb started the farm in 1966 with 110 cows and it has since grown to 2,400 cows. Kendra’s husband, Matt, runs the home farm, but they have  expanded to five other locations.

Dairy Good contacted Kendra about the commercial two and a half months ago and said she was excited to do it.

“Since I became a mom, I’ve become passionate about talking about what we do,” Kendra said. “I think that as people get further removed from agriculture, there’s a distrust with what you don’t know.”

Kendra said she wanted to do the commercial because there is a lack of understanding.

“Farmers haven’t always been good at talking about what we do,” Kendra said. “That’s become my role on the farm.”

Kendra said she shares pictures on their Facebook page to show their values at the farm.

“That’s what people care about these days,” Kendra said. “They want to see the person behind the product. They want to know that you care, and we do.”

Kendra also guides free tours throughout the farm, showing the facilities and cows being milked, providing an educational experience for visitors to learn where their food comes from.

The farm is always improving sustainability, Kendra said.

A methane digester was installed in 2010 that powers the whole farm, creating green energy from cow waste.

“We’re always improving [sustainability] but we don’t do a good job talking about it,” Kendra said.

Kendra said 97 percent of the dairy farms in the United States are family-owned.

“Hopefully those that see our commercial see that we are family farms, even though we are bigger than what people picture when they picture a family farm,” Kendra said. “We care about taking care of the cows. We are proud to produce a high-quality product.”

Under the direction of technology teacher and welding instructor Brian Cray, students from Oakfield-Alabama Middlle-High School designed, cut, laid out and welded gate racks for the Genesee County Agricultural Society and Genesee County 4-H Sheep Club. 

Tim Adams, owner and operator of Adams Welding and Fabrication in Stafford, donated the materials for the projects. Students practiced welding for 18 weeks to sharpen their skills before creating six racks, each being 4 feet long, 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. 

Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School hosted more than 30 colleges and organizations at the Genesee Regional College Fair for area students in grades nine through 11.

Submitted photo and press release:

With the help of the New York State Association for College Admissions Counseling (NYSACAC), Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School hosted more than 30 colleges and universities on May 18 for the new Genesee Regional College Fair.

The school’s gymnasium was filled with students from grades nine through 11 from Byron-Bergen, Oakfield-Alabama Middle-High School, Rochester Preparatory High School, Keshequa Middle-High School, and the Western New York Tech Academy. Colleges traveled to the event from all over New York State, and from as far away as the University of Alabama, University of Guelph in Canada, and Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

"Our goal is to host this event every year and continue to expose students to all of the opportunities that exist after high school," said Byron-Bergen College and Career counselor Rob Kaercher. "I know it is a busy time of year for colleges and high schools, but it would be impossible to host a large event without the support of every employee at Byron-Bergen and the NYSACAC.

"They are instrumental in providing professional development opportunities for school counselors and college admissions professionals from across the state, as well as opportunities for many college-bound students.”

Many area high school students attend the NYSACAC college fair in March at the Rochester Convention Center and in Buffalo at the First Niagara Center. Now, the Genesee Regional College Fair will give students exposure to colleges in a more intimate setting, right in their own backyard.

"Next year we plan to have even more colleges and branches of the armed services, and we will invite more high schools to experience this event," Kaercher said.

The following colleges and organizations attended the NYSACAC Regional College Fair at Byron-Bergen: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Canisius College, Daemen College, Elmira College, Genesee Community College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Jamestown Community College, Keuka College, La Roche College, Le Moyne College, Monroe Community College, Morrisville State College, New York State Higher Education Services Corp, Niagara University, Mercyhurst University, Quinnipiac University, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, SUNY - Alfred State College, SUNY Brockport, SUNY - Buffalo State College, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, The University of Alabama, University of Guelph, University of Rochester, the Army, and Wells College.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) addresses the Oakfield-Alabama High School Social Studies class.

Submitted photo and press release:

Yesterday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) visited a Social Studies class at Oakfield-Alabama High School to discuss his duties as an elected official and explain his views on current and local issues.

This experience gave students an opportunity to learn valuable information about politics from a valued member of the State Assembly. Hawley enjoyed his time with the students and hopes that many of them will be inspired to take part in politics in the future.

This information is from a press release provided by Assemblyman Steve Hawley's office:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today proudly announced that the Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield will be receiving a state grant to install security cameras.

Hawley fought vigorously during this year’s budget negotiations to restore proposed cuts to library aid made by Gov. Cuomo and secure $95.6 million in total aid, including a $5 million increase for capital projects. 

“Libraries like these are a staple of our community and offer myriad services to local residents, such as free books and movie rentals, high-speed Internet and research services,” Hawley said. “My colleagues and I worked diligently to fight Gov. Cuomo’s proposed cuts to library aid and I am proud to announce that we actually secured an increase in funding for public libraries to undertake capital projects and improvements.

"Libraries are a gateway to a world of knowledge and enlightenment through reading and research and they will always have my unwavering support.”

Hawley also noted that Le Roy's Woodward Memorial Library received a state grant to renovate its Children's Room. For previous coverage on that project, click here.

Two teenage boys were injured yesterday, at least one seriously, in an accident on Maltby Road, Oakfield.

The injured boys are Isaac L. Mejia, 17, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, and Damien L. Bush, 16, of Orchard Street, Oakfield.

Investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash.

Mejia was taken by Byron Ambulance, with Mercy personnel aboard, to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Bush was airlifted to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

Mejia was reportedly the driver of a 2013 BMW 3201 that veered off the roadway on Maltby Road, near North Pearl Street, Oakfield, at 5:51 p.m. The sedan struck a tree on the north side of the roadway and caromed back into the road where it came to rest.

The accident remains under investigation. 

Handling the investigation are Deputy James Stack and the Crash Management Team.

Charges may be pending.

(Initial post)

Within a two-hour period, three serious injury accidents in Genesee County, in Alexander, Oakfield and Pavilion.  

At this point, there is no additional information about these accidents beyond what is in our initial posts (links below).

Alexander:

Three people were injured, including one who needed to be airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight, when a car veered off Dodgeson Road and landed on its roof in a creek in a deep ravine. A state trooper at the scene said the cause of the accident had not been determined at that time. This accident was reported at about 5:40 p.m. (Initial post)

Oakfield:

One person was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC following a single-car accident on Maltby Road, Oakfield. The Sheriff's Crash Management Team responded to this accident to conduct the investigation. The car appears to have veered off the road, struck and tree and spun back into the roadway. This accident was reported just before 6 p.m. (Initial post)

Pavilion:

In Pavilion, a car that was northbound on Perry Road apparently failed to see a stop sign crossing Route 20 and drove into the rear wheel of a tractor-trailer. The car spun around and came to rest pointing south on the north side of Route 20. Two people were transported by ground ambulance to Strong. The truck driver continued south for more than a quarter mile, dragging a wheel broken off its axel, while he tried to maintain control and bring the vehicle to a safe stop on the shoulder of the road. This accident was reported just before 7 p.m. (Initial post)

A one-vehicle accident with injuries is reported just east of Maltby and North Pearl Road, Oakfield. Oakfield fire and Byron ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 6:08 p.m.: First responders in Oakfield are calling for two Mercy helicopters to the scene.

UPDATE 6:13 p.m.: Mercy Flight #9 out of Buffalo and a helicopter from the central hangar in Canandaigua are en route to the accident.

UPDATE 6:17 p.m.: They will set up landing zones at the Oakfield Rod and Gun Club on Maltby Road. No ETAS yet on either helicopter.

UPDATE 6:22 p.m.: The Buffalo airship has a 12-minute ETA. No word yet from Canandaigua.

UPDATE 6:24 p.m.: Mercy Flight Central out of Canandaigua has a 20-minute ETA.

UPDATE 6:29 p.m.: The Buffalo helicopter will transport a 16-year-old male passenger who is in stable condition.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: The Byron ambulance is transporting one patient to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 6:59 p.m.: The Buffalo helicopter is heading to ECMC; the central helicopter out of Canandaigua was cancelled.

UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: The Crash Management Team is deployed.

Jolene Michelle Lawson, 35, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Lawson allegedly stole a purse from a person at Delre's Greenhouse & Garden Center, 4062 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. The purse reportedly contained a debit card, money, and personal papers. Lawson was located on West Main and taken into custody. The property was recovered from a wooded area and returned to the victim.

Michale Paul Bartovich, 34, of Burncoat Way, Pittsford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bartovich was charged following a traffic stop on Judge Road, Oakfield, at 5:48 p.m. Saturday, by Deputy Chris Erion.

John Paul Daley, 36, of Alleghany Road, Alabama, is charged with felony DWI, muffler violation, and refusal to take a breath test. Daley was stopped at 12:19 a.m. Sunday on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy James Stack.

James K. Clarke, 26, of 4th Section Road, Brockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving without an ignition interlock device and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Clarke was stopped at 5:37 a.m. Saturday on North Bergen Road, Bergen, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Robert R. Richmond, 53, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16, and possessing a sexual performance by a child less than 16. Richmond was arrested following an investigation and he is accused of using a publicly accessible computer to view child pornography. The incident occured at 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 20 at an unspecified location in Batavia. Richmond was issued an appearance ticket for City Court at 1 p.m. next Tuesday, May 23. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill. (According to Batavia PD, no mug shot is available of the defendant.)

Charles Gregory Monacelli, 43, of West Bacon Road, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. On May 13 at 10:30 a.m., while attending Bontrager's Auction on Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia, he allegedly removed a tailgate from a pickup truck that was parked on the side of the road and drove off with it. He was arrested on May 14 and is due in Town of Batavia Court on June 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Roy Derwood Hooten, 56, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with promoting prison contraband. Hooten was jailed on May 16 at 3:40 p.m. for an unspecified reason and when he entered the jail he had a walking cane, according to the Sheriff's report. Allegedly later than evening, the cane was found to contain 10 cigarettes. Today, he was charged with promoting prison contraband. Hooten is due in City Court on May 30 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.

Matthew Brian Starowitz, 28, of Whitney Mill Road, Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and a muffler exhaust violation. Starowitz was stopped at 11:42 p.m. on May 12 on Byron-Holley Road, Stafford, following the observation of a vehicle and traffic violation. The defendant allegedly possessed a quantity of marijuana on his person at the time. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Stafford Court on June 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Howard Wilson.

Bryan Charles Greek, 31, of Electric Avenue, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. At 1:40 a.m. on May 13, the defendant was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Stafford. He allegedly possessed a "rolled cigar" containing marijuana. Greek was issued an appearance ticket for June 16 in Town of Stafford Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Batavia City School District:

Budget - $49,870,585 (increase of $5,504,146 or 12.41%: $0.00 increase in tax levy)
Yes - 374 (81.84%)
No  - 83 (18.16%)

Establish $7.5 Million 10 Year Capital Reserve 2017 -
Yes -  370 (80.96%)
No -    87 (19.04%)

Board of Education positions (2):
Two terms from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 
Barbara Bowman, 293
Tanni Bromley, 279

Oakfield-Alabama Central School District
Proposition #1-Budget
Yes:  297
No: 53

Proposition #2-Buses
Yes: 290
No: 60

Proposition #3-Athletic Equipment
Yes:  258
No: 92

Proposition #4-Capital Reserve Fund
Yes:  288
No: 59

Board Members (Three Vacancies)
Chris Haacke, 208
Bonnie Woodward, 171
Jennifer Kirkum, 170
Tim Edgerton, 162
Andrew Merkel, 142
Bruce Pritchett      141

Elba Central School District

Proposition #1 Budget - $9,273,839
Yes: 136
No: 26

Proposition #2 – Authorization to establish the 2017 General Capital Reserve Fund 
Yes: 132
No: 29

Proposition #3 – Authorization to appropriate and expend from Transportation Vehicle and Equipment Capital Reserve to purchase one (1) 65 passenger school bus
Yes: 134
No: 28

Two Board of Education seats with two candidates running:
Travis Torrey, 149
Michael Augello, 134

Byron-Bergen Central School District

Proposition 1, Budget
Yes: 327
No: 153

Proposition 2:  Bus purchase
Yes: 340
No: 150

The day at Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School was dedicated to leadership, with several classroom events built around themes from Stephen Covey's book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," such as "Think Win Win," "Be Proactive," Put 1st Things 1st," and "Begin with the End in Mind."

There were also musical performances from both middle school and high school students, and a talent show, along with a student-parent picnic in the gym.