Stafford

A tourist from Holland who was injured and had his bike damaged by a hit-and-run driver Oct. 5 found out Sunday that despite the mishap there are good people in Genesee County who will lend a helping hand.

Rich Ohlson only knows the rider as Bert, but when Det. Todd Crossett, Batavia PD, called Olhson to tell him what he had learned about Bert, Ohlson was more than happy to help.

Bert was hospitalized with minor injuries, but his bicycle was damaged enough that he wouldn't be able to finish his journey through Upstate New York.

The trip began in Canada and would end in Toronto, where Bert would catch a flight back to Holland.

He was alone in a foreign country with no way of continuing as long as his bike was damaged.

"If I was in a jam like that on a Sunday with no bike shops open, I would hope somebody would help me," Ohlson said. "That's what our ministry is all about -- being a servant."

Ohlson heads up Ride to Recovery, an Oakfield-based ministry that uses bicycles as a way to lead people to Christ.

On Sunday, Ohlson went to the motel where Bert was staying after being released from UMMC and brought along his parts and tools trailer for bicycle repair -- Ohlson often tunes up bikes in Austin Park when Care-A-Van is there. It so happened, Ohlson had all the right spare parts, including a back wheel that fit and a luggage rack much like the one destroyed in the accident.

Bert wasn't too interested in Ohlson talking about salvation, so Ohlson said he just went about the business of repairing the bike, hoping that his deeds would speak louder than his words. He did give Bert a Bible to take with him.

"As a fellow bicyclist, he's doing what I would love to do," Ohlson said.

The car that hit Bert is believed to be a small red car with glass missing from the passenger-side mirror as a result of the accident. Anybody with information about the car or the driver can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 345-5000.

A truck versus bicycle accident is reported at 8220 Prole Road Extension. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy Medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: Despite reports the bicyclist "flew through the air," the 20 40-year-old male suffered no loss of consciousness and he is alert, with some road rash injuries.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: A witness says the vehicle which struck the bicyclist is not a truck. It's a small red car, which left the scene, heading toward the city on Route 33. It is missing the passenger side mirror glass as a result of the impact.

UPDATE 3:16 p.m.: The right headlight may also be damaged.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: Stafford firefighters are back in service.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: The patient is being transported to UMMC for evaluation and treatment of abrasions on his elbow.

While I was out and about on this beautiful day, I did take a few pictures.

Above, Sweetland Road, Stafford.

A tree full of fall color on Bernd Road, Pavilion.

What was once a barn on Junction Road, Pavilion.

It's taken a year to get the proper permits, said engineer Steve Mountain, but some time this month, crews should start dredging Horseshoe Lake in Stafford.

The lake is part of a private recreational and residential community.

Approximately 1,500 cubic yards of silty lake bed will be removed from an existing 4,000-square-foot swimming area and a new boat launch area on the northeast cove of the lake. 

The swimming area will be back-filled with four inches of pea gravel and four inches of sand.

To help fight an aquatic weed problem, the lake level will be lowered about eight feet for the winter, which should kill off weeds along the shore.

"It was an extremely long permitting process," Mountain said.

First, a correction. We reported Sept. 25 that a Stafford man found with an "assault rifle" was on probation at the time of his arrest.

He was not on probation.

Brett William Snyder, 50, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, third degree.

One count under Section 2, Subsection 7 for alleged possession of an "assault weapon," and one count under Section 2, Subsection 8 for alleged possession of a "a large capacity ammunition feeding device."

While this might sound like a violation of the NYS SAFE Act, it is not. Both laws banning the particular rifle and magazines allegedly found in Snyder's home have been on the books in New York since 1994.

Snyder was allegedly found in possession of a Windham Weaponry semi-automatic assault rifle Model WW15 with a pistol grip, bi-pod, scope and expandable stock.

He was also allegedly found in possession of three 30-round clips and two 20-round clips. One of the 30-round clips allegedly had 30 .22 rounds in it.

The weapon was reportedly discovered by a probation officer who was at Snyder's residence to do a routine check of a person on probation who resides at the same place.

The probation officer reported seeing an unlocked weapon's case with the rifle in plain view. He reported seeing a flash suppressor on the weapon and contacted the Sheriff's Office about a possible SAFE Act violation. 

The officer said he asked Snyder if he knew that it was a violation of the terms of probation for the other person living with him to possess a firearm and Snyder said he didn't think it was a problem because that person wasn't holding it. The probation officer said he informed Snyder the weapon needed to be locked away in order for it to not be a probation violation.

According to the probation officer's statement, Snyder was known to him because Snyder was at one time on probation because of a prior felony conviction.

The District Attorney's Office clarified for us today that both laws being used to prosecute Snyder were on the books prior to passage of the SAFE Act and this is not a SAFE Act case.

Shot late this afternoon.

A 42-year-old Attica woman is being accused of stealing more than $21,000 from a company she worked for in Stafford.

Judy S. King, of Genesee Street, Attica, is charged with forgery, 2nd, grand larceny, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.

King was arrested following a lengthy investigation by Deputy John Duyssen and Investigator Timothy Weis into missing funds at RJN Electrical Services.

During the years of 2012 and 2013, King, working as an office manager, allegedly used her access to bank accounts to forge at least 88 checks.

She's also accused of stealing two credit cards from the company and making personal purchases.

Following arraignment in Town of Stafford Court, King was released under supervision of Wyoming County Probation.

The smell of natural gas at Byron-Bergen Central School prompted the principal to pull the fire alarm in order to evacuate students. The natural gas alert came to dispatch through RG&E. Bergen Fire Department is on scene. Mutual aid from Le Roy fire is also requested. The school is located at 6917 W. Bergen Road.

UPDATE 9:29 a.m.: "We do have an odor at the high school in the kitchen area and they are checking out the elementary school as well," says Bergen Command's firefighter Michael Crosier.

Le Roy Fire Chief Tom Wood is in charge of operations at the elementary school

RG&E workers just arrived. The superintendent had the elementary school evacuated as a precaution but no odor is of natural gas is reported and the odor of natural gas was found in the mechanical room.

UPDATE 9:33 a.m.: One engine from Churchville is requested to stand by in its hall to provide coverage for Le Roy. Bergen. Bergen command says the smell of natural gas at the high school is coming from a couple of different areas.

UPDATE 9:49 a.m.: Responders are doing a second walk-thru of the high school. There was the odor of natural gas coming from the pool area. When the walk-thru is completed, Le Roy can go back in service.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: Stafford also was put on standby for Le Roy and is back in service, along with Le Roy and Churchville.

UPDATE 10:39 a.m.: Bergen command says RG&E has identified a few leaks and crews are working to repair them. The school will be closed for rest of the day and the children are being dismissed.

UPDATE 10:45 a.m.: Bergen command asks dispatch to have a deputy respond to the Byron-Bergen Central School because there are a lot of parents showing up to get their children and "some aren't too happy about things." A deputy is responding.

UPDATE 10:57 a.m.: A Le Roy fire official sent us the following corrections to this post (which have also been noted above):

1) Churchville was put on standby for Bergen, not Le Roy;

2) Stafford was on standby for Le Roy;

3) No odor of natural gas was reported at the pool;

4) In addition to leaks at the high school, the odor of natural gas was found in the mechanical room of the Elementary School.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: This message has been sent to parents at Byron-Bergen.

Dear Byron-Bergen Parents and Guardians,

This is Byron-Bergen Superintendent, Casey Kosiorek. I want to inform that students of the district will not be returning to school today as a result of a gas leak in both buildings. Elementary students may be signed out at the Bergen Fire Hall.  Jr./Sr. High School students may be signed out at the track. Students that can't be picked up will remain at these locations until they can be bussed at their regular time. Lunch will be provided. This evening's Elementary Open House has been cancelled. We will keep you updated as we continue to work through the situation.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: The students are evacuated and the schools are closed, according to the superintendent.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: The Bergen assignment is back in service. RG&E remains on scene.

Brett William Snyder, 50, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, is charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (assault weapon and magazine). Following a check on Snyder's residence by the Probation Department, a probation officer contacted the Sheriff's Office for assistance in the investigation of an alleged illegal firearm at the residence. Snyder was allegedly found in possession of a assault-style weapon and a large capacity magazine. Snyder was arraigned, posted $250 bail and released.

Tyler Pasquale Schroeder, 21, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant out of Rochester related to a criminal impersonation charge. Schroeder was turned over to RPD.

Stacey Dawn Mancuso, 43, of Seneca Street, Elma, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of pavement markings and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Mancuso was stopped at 11:32 p.m., Sept. 17, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy, after dispatchers received a report of a vehicle on Route 33 in Pembroke that was unable to maintain its lane.

A 16-year-old of East Avenue, Attica, is charged with trespass. The youth is accused of being at a residence on Broadway Road, Alexander, after being told by the homeowner he wasn't allow on the property.

Ashley Marie Kreutz, 25, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kreutz is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Teresa Marie Stephenson, 24, of Moore Road, West Henrietta, is charged with petit larceny. Stephenson is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Taylor Laren Schutt, 20, of Seminole Parkway, Cheektowaga, is charged with trespass. Schutt is accused of being on the roof of the bus garage at Alexander Central School.

The fire that burned a barn to the ground last Thursday in Stafford has rekindled itself for the second time. Stafford firefighters are heading to 9418 Roanoke Road to snuff it out.

UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: Stafford is back in service.

Stafford Fire Department is returning to the site of yesterday's barn fire at 9418 Roanoke Road. It has rekindled itself.

UPDATE 4:16 p.m.: The remains of the smoldering embers are extinguished. Stafford is back in service.

Here are the photos from tonight's fire at Terry Smart's place on Roanoke Road, Stafford. We don't much new information at this hour.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and the investigation is continuing.

As we reported earlier, four pigs, 16 chickens and two dogs died in the fire.

Smart said it was impossible to save the dogs from the fire and they were humanely dispatched.

Smart also said neither the barn nor the livestock were insured.

Here's our coverage from the 2010 fire that destroyed his 187-year-old farmhouse. 

The barn was probably built about the same as the previously destroyed house.

To purchase prints, click here.

A working barn fire is reported 9418 Roanoke Road, Stafford. There is heavy black smoke visible. Stafford Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Bethany, Le Roy, Pavilion and Town of Batavia. The latter is to stand by in Stafford's hall.

UPDATE 7:28 p.m.: A secondary explosion is reported and there is livestock involved.

UPDATE 7:31 p.m.: A firefighter in the area says the barn "looks like it's fully involved."

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: Command asks that National Grid be contacted.

UPDATE 7:42 p.m.: Stafford commands says all responding tankers can go back in service. The equipment on scene with suffice.

UPDATE 7:44 p.m.: South Byron is asked to stand by in Stafford's fire hall instead of Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 7:46 p.m.: An engine out of Caledonia is asked to stand by in Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 8:03 p.m.: Bethany is back in service.

UPDATE 8:23 p.m.: Howard interviewed property owner Terry Smart at the scene and the man said he lost four pigs, 16 chickens and two dogs in the blaze. He said he had just completed work on his new pig pen today and doesn't know how the fire started. Three years ago, in the same location, his house burned down.

UPDATE 9:13 p.m. (by Howard): Photo at the top by Doug Yeomans. Doug also sent over video that I'll post as soon as it's uploaded to YouTube. We also have our own photos coming.

UPDATE: Video by Doug Yeomans. Copyright by Doug Yoemans. Used with permission.

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: Le Roy fire back in service.

UPDATE 10:34 p.m.: Stafford units back in service.

On an overcast day, I drove past this farmfield on Route 262 in Bergen and thought on a bright, blue-sky afternoon it might make a good picture. Yesterday, with a little available time and the sun heading west with a clear sky, I drove out the same location to make this picture.

Kevin Scroger was mowing the grass on the shoulder with his granddaughter Leyna Perkins, age 3 1/2. He told me the field was soybeans, near time for harvest. He's also pictured with his grandson, Carter Perkins, age 1. You may remember Kevin from the piece we did on the Hawleys' barley harvest.

The bottom picture is of Marty McDonald's barn and silos in Stafford.

James Alvin Daigler, 58, of Stanley Road, Grand Island, is charged with resisting arrest, trespass and disorderly conduct. Daigler is accused of causing a disturbance at the Clarion Hotel, 8250 Park Road, Batavia, at 1:20 a.m., Sunday. He allegedly refused to leave after being ordered to leave and used obscene and offensive language while in public. Daigler was jailed on $500 bail.

Ted E. Kingsley, 40, of 117 State St., upper, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Kingsley allegedly failed to appear on a petit larceny charge related to a theft of beer from Tops. Kingsley was jailed on $1,000 bail.

James A. Chase, 33, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Chase is accused of violating a no-offensive-conduct order of protection by shoving and spitting on the protected person. Chase was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Reinaldo Roman, 41, of 130 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Roman is accused of repeatedly threatening to kill another person while in the presence of police. Roman was jailed on $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

Shane Zimblis, 42, of 24 Hutchins St., upper, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Zimblis is accused of trespassing on a property on Hutchins Street.

Jamie M. Hamill, 36, of 209 W. Park St., Albion, is charged with criminal trespass. Hamill was allegedly ordered to leave a residence several times and refused to leave.

David N. Taplin, 36, of 54 Newport Drive, Brockport, was arrested on a bench warrant. Taplin allegedly failed to show up at the jail for an imposed weekend sentence. Taplin was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Terry T. Saddler Jr., 37, of 112 State St., lower, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Saddler was picked up on a warrant out of Brockport by Batavia PD and allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Brandy Lee Stalica, 38, of Route 63, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Stalica allegedly subjected another woman to physical contact during a custody exchange. The alleged incident was reported at 8:31 p.m., Friday, at a location on East Bethany -- Le Roy Road.

Jennifer Joan Wolcott, 43, of East Bethany -- Le Roy Road, Stafford, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wolcott allegedly had physical contact with another person during an argument. The alleged incident was reported at 8:31 p.m., Friday, at a location on East Bethany -- Le Roy Road.

Eric Jon Merritt, 24, of Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, reckless driving, failure to stop at stop sign, failure to signal, failure to yield to emergency vehicle and failure to keep right. Merritt was stopped at 4:06 p.m. Saturday on Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Deborah Ann Scholonski, 43, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Scholonski allegedly sent a text message to a neighbor she had been told not to contact.

Marilyn Lois Weinert, 61, of Route 237, South Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to dim headlights and failure to keep right. Weinert was stopped at 2:06 a.m. Saturday on Byron Holley Road, South Byron, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Thomas Patrick Lester, 45, of Lake Road, Brockport, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, driving left of pavement markings and failure to keep right. Lester was stopped at 4:12 p.m. Thursday by Sgt. Ron Meides.

Timothy M. Fingland, 24, of Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. Fingland was stopped on Route 63, Batavia, at 8;59 p.m. Friday by State Police.

Tammy L. Long, 40, of Cheektowaga, and Paul J. Dipalma, 49, of Cheektowaga, are both charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Long and Dipalma were arrested by State Police in connnection with an alleged crime reported in the Town of Batavia on Jan. 17. Both were jailed on $5,000 bail each. No further details released.

A bicyclist reportedly fell on off his bike and was lying unconscious in the roadway at Griswold, near Caswell Road. Law enforcement on scene says the man is a "little out of it" and cannot recall what happened. He is not intoxicated. He is conscious and alert. Mercy medics and Stafford fire were dispatched and Mercy Flight put on ground standby.

UPDATE 1:51 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled and the other responders are told to proceed non-emergency.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: The Stafford assignment is back in service.

Bishop E. Williams, 20, of 106 Lake St. Le Roy, is charged with three counts of burglary, 3rd, petit larceny and criminal mischief, 4th. Williams is accused of an early morning forced entry burglary of a business on Mill Street, Le Roy, and stealing several items from the business. Williams, and possibly a conspirator, allegedly used a rock to break the window of the building and that Williams allegedly entered the building three separate times. Police report locating Williams on Lake Street. Assisting were the Sheriff's Office and the Livingston County K-9 unit.

Amir D. Gifford, 17, 139 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd. Gifford was alleged involved in a fight with an acquaintance at 4:43 p.m., Tuesday, at a business on West Main Street, Batavia. He is accused of trying to injure the other person.

Michael C. Kraatz, 34, of 66 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with trespass and harassment, 2nd. Following an alleged domestic incident, Kraatz allegedly returned to a residence he had been advised by police not to reenter. As Kraatz was being removed from a police vehicle following his arrest, he allegedly kicked the door of the car causing it to strike an officer, which led to the harassment charge.

Daniel M. Hacker, 27, of 248 North Meadowbrook Parkway, Cheektowaga, is charged with driving a motor vehicle with registration suspended. Hacker was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court.

Ronda L. Reisman, 41, of 105 State St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Reisman was arrested following an investigation into an alleged incident at 10:22 p.m., Thursday. No further details released.

Mark E. Flaming, 23, of 21 Wood St., Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use and reckless endangerment, 1st. Flaming was arrested following an alleged domestic incident at 10:32 p.m., Wednesday. No further details released.

Michael P. Ashley, 51, of 9455 Clipnock Road, Stafford, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, running a red light and aggravated unlicensed operation. Ashley was stopped at 12:54 p.m., Sunday, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Stephen Joseph Holdaway, 61, Pearl St., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speeding and failure to yield to emergency vehicle. Holdaway was arrested following a traffic stop at 5:09 p.m. Wednesday on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Kevin A. Roberts, 22, of Perry Road, North Java, is charged criminal mishief, 3rd, petit larceny, unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, bald tire and throwing refuse on highway. Roberts is accused of cutting a locked cage inside Walmart in order to gain entry and damaging the case in the process. He is accused of stealing clothing from Walmart and possessing marijuana. He allegedly drove to the store on a suspended license. Roberts was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Rachel Elizabeth Hyatt, 17, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with stalking, 4th. Hyatt allegedly initiated contact with a person she had been previously warned not to contact. An order of protection was issued.

Stephanie Marie Gilfus, 27, of Genesee Street, Auburn, is charged with petit larceny. Gilfus is accused of stealing an iPod Touch from an employee of Darien Lake Theme Park.

Justin Ryan Smith, 31, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Smith was allegedly involved in an accident on North Pearl Steet, Oakfield, at 5:55 a.m. Sunday. The accident was investigated by Deputy Matt Fleming.

(name redacted, charges dismissed), 47, of Rochelle Drive, Churchville, is charged with coercion, 1st, criminal mischief, 4th, and menacing, 2nd. REDACTED allegedly coerced a woman while at her residence.