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Stafford

To cut costs, Town of Stafford eliminates yard waste collection at dump

By Howard B. Owens

The Town of Stafford will no longer allow residents to drop off yard waste, such as tree branches, brush, and grass clippings, at the town dump.

Highway Superintendent Steven Boldt said that with the loss of sales tax revenue, the town is looking at a very tight budget so the change will reduce costs and workload.

"Residents are encouraged to create their own compost pile," Boldt said, adding, "The town hopes to revisit the issue when financial times become better."

Byron woman accused of drunk driving, and without a license, with a child in the car

By Billie Owens

Taylor K. Laird, 27, of Mechanic Street, Byron, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; aggravated DWI -- child in vehicle; aggravated unlicensed operation. Laird was arrested at 10:57 a.m. on May 28 on Pearl Street in Batavia following a "check the welfare call" at a business on West Main Street. Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson handled the case, assisted by Officer Connor Borchert and the NYS Police.

Salvatore P. Scarlata, 36, of East Main Street Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal contempt. Scarlata was arrested at 6:52 p.m. on June 3 on East Main Street Road in Stafford after he was allegedly found in the presence of a person with an order of protection against him out of Town of Sweden Court. Scarlata was fingerprinted, photographed and issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 6 in Town of Stafford Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Brittany L. Bolton, 20, of East Main Street Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal contempt. Bolton was arrested at 6:52 p.m. on June 3 on East Main Street Road in Stafford after allegedly being found in the presence of a person with an order of protection from Town of Greece Court. She was fingerprinted, photographed and issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 4 in Town of Stafford Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Ashley K. Marshall, 28, of Batavia (no address provided), was arrested and issued appearance tickets for Town of Warsaw Court, where she is due to appear at a later date. At 4:20 p.m. on May 31, Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies were patrolling northbound Route 19 in the Town of Warsaw when they stopped Marshall near Mungers Mill Road for having a suspended registration. She was also ticketed for having an uninspected motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle which had broken glass. The deputy handling the case was Austin Harding.

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White big rig speeds through county with cops in hot pursuit

By Billie Owens

A white tractor-trailer was reportedly speeding westbound on Route 5 through Stafford, pursued by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies, when it managed to turn around and head eastbound on Route 5.

Batavia Police Department set up a perimeter on Route 5.

The big rig proceeded to Le Roy, where it turned onto Route 19 southbound.

Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies pursued the vehicle, which is now in Livingston County and being pursued by authorities there.

UPDATE 9:48 p.m.: A reader shared this emergency alert out of Livingston County:

"Law enforcement is currently in pursuit of a tractor-trailer on I-390 southbound from Geneseo. He is trying to ram traffic. Get off the highway at this time."

UPDATE 11:55 p.m.: The chase ended in Livingston County with the driver reportedly being shot by police, according to our news partner, 13WHAM. The chase started in Le Roy following a traffic stop for speeding. The driver reportedly fled with a Le Roy Police officer still on the running board of the vehicle. The truck struck several vehicles, including law enforcement vehicles, during the pursuit. There's no ID on the driver yet released nor have police disclosed any possible motive for the driver to flee.

Stafford's Christopher Swartzenberg graduates from Paul Smith's College

By Billie Owens

PAUL SMITHS -- Christopher Swartzenberg, of Stafford, graduated from Paul Smith's College this month -- May 2020.

Swartzenberg earned an associate degree in Integrative Studies from Paul Smith's, located in the Adirondacks State Park in Upstate New York.

About Paul Smith's College

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs -- in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences -- draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit paulsmiths.edu.

Man falls off roof in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A man has reportedly fallen off a two-story roof at a location on Horseshoe Lake Road in Stafford.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Mercy Flight available if needed.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) (11:08 a.m.): A first responder on scene says the man fell about eight feet. He is conscious and alert and is answering some questions.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Mercy Flight was cancelled.

Three-car collision reported on Main Road in Stafford

By Billie Owens

A three-vehicle accident with injuries that is blocking traffic is reported in Stafford at 6303 Main Road. The location is between Route 237 and Roanoke Road. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding along with law enforcement.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: A first responder on scene reports only two vehicles involved. One person has a head injury; another complains of chest pain. One lane of traffic is completely blocked.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Route 237 is closed to traffic. One person involved in the accident is a sign-off; the other is being evaluated.

UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: Stafford command puts the assignment back in service. The road is reopened.

Photo: Protest signs in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A resident on Main Street in Stafford has placed anti-lockdown protest signs in their yard.

Photo: Juvenile bald eagle in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

Judy Schildwaster submitted this photo of a juvenile bald eagle taken yesterday morning off of Route 33 in Stafford.

Accident with pole down reported in Stafford

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident is reported just west of the intersection of East Bethany-Le Roy Road and Roanoke Road in Stafford. The vehicle struck a pole and it is down. Wires are possibly in the roadway.

The operator was out of the vehicle and "walking toward Le Roy," says the dispatcher, and is now with a first responder. It is unknown if the driver is injured. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 8:26 a.m.: A deputy at the scene reports heavy front-end damage and calls for a flatbed tow truck. The vehicle is about 15 feet off the roadway.

UPDATE 8:28 a.m.: The pole is snapped in half and a heavy wire is hanging low over the roadway.

Photo: Eagle in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

Dan Street shared this photo of an eagle he spotted off of Transit Road in Stafford.

Law and Order: Stafford man accused of spitting at nurse and public health official

By Billie Owens

Jordin Michael Schultz, 22, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with third-degree menacing and reckless endangerment in the second degree. It is alleged that Schultz spit at a nurse and public health official at 5:39 p.m. April 2 at a location in the 6200 block of Main Road in Stafford. The defendant is due to appear in Stafford Town Court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Kyle Krzemien.

Ronald M. Refermat, 35, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. At 11:30 a.m. on April 11, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence on Route 20 in Darien for a reported domestic incident. An investigation allegedly reveal that the defendant endangered the welfare of a child. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. The case was handled by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Luis J. Santiago, 31, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. The arrested follows an investigation of a domestic incident that occurred on Edward Street in the City of Batavia at 2:49 p.m. on March 28. Santiago was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on May 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Vehicle removed from garage in Stafford, preventing structure fire after fuel spill

By Howard B. Owens

A fuel gas leak from a vehicle parked in a garage at 5561 Clinton Street Road, Stafford, sparked a fire at about 7:50 p.m. yesterday.

Stafford Fire Chief Matt Hendershott said that a vehicle owner was working on a vehicle when the fire started. The vehicle owner and the owner of the garage managed to pull the vehicle from the building before fire crews arrived.

As a result, the vehicle owner was transported to an area hospital for evaluation of possible smoke inhalation.  

Hendershott said because the vehicle was removed from the structure, the structure did not catch fire.

Stafford fire responded with additional manpower from South Byron and Town of Batavia fire responded for traffic control.

Reader-submitted photos.

(Initial Report)

Gas leak, barn fire reported on Clinton Street Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A gas leak has reportedly caused a barn fire at 5561 Clinton Street Road, Stafford.

Stafford fire dispatched.

South Byron, Byron, Town of Batavia, Le Roy, and the City's FAST Team asked to standby in quarters.

The location is between Prole Road Extension and the Thruway.

Video: Stafford celebrating its 200th anniversary

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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On Tuesday, the Town of Stafford officially kicked off its bicentennial celebration year with a small ceremony.

Stephanie Call honored as Stafford's Firefighter of the Year

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County's first female fire chief, Stephanie Call, was named Firefighter of the Year for the Stafford Fire Department at the department's annual awards and installation banquet Saturday night.

Matt Hendershott, who takes over as chief in 2020, praised Call for her hard work and dedication, her countless hours of service, often behind the scenes doing the administrative work necessary to keep the department running, as well as her leadership and inspiration.

He also singled out an incident at Call's place of employment in Le Roy on Dec. 15 when an employee collapsed. Call found the coworker unresponsive on the floor and began CPR. She stayed with her coworker until police and EMS arrived.

Hendershott quoted the victim, "My family sees Stephanie as the woman who saved my life."

Ken Collins received the Chief's Award for his service to the department.

Stafford fire responded to 289 calls in 2019, up 17 percent from 2018. The top responder was Hendershott, who went to 145 calls.

Law and Order: Four suspected of DWI, another accused of stealing from Speedway

By Billie Owens

Michael Robert Simcick, 26, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; refusal to take a breath test; unlawful possession of marijuana; failure to stop at stop sign; and moving from lan unsafely. At 1:26 a.m. on March 8, Simcick was arrested on Perry Road in Pavilion after a traffic stop for a violation of vehicle and traffic law. An investigation allegedly determined him to be intoxicated by alcohol and in possession of marijuana. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Pavilion Town Court on March 17. Genesee County Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush handled the case, assisted by Deputy Austin Heberlein, and the Le Roy Police Department.

Shane R. Reisman, 50, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: failure to stop at a stop sign; driving while intoxicated; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway; and refusal to take a breath test. Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Reisman at 2:36 p.m. on March 2 on Trumbull Parkway in Batavia after a traffic stop. Reisman was later released with appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on March 18.

Baltazar de la Rosa Sifuentes, 26, of Parkland Creek Lane, Chili, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- first offense; driving while intoxicated -- first offense; and moving from lane unsafely. At 9:30 p.m. on March 6, Sifuentes was arrested after an investigation of a single-car accident on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford. He was released with appearance tickets and is due in Stafford Town Court on March 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Jessica Lyn Revier, 35, of Hall Road, Holley, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; DWI; failure to stop at a stop sign; and speed not reasonable and prudent. At 7:55 a.m. on March 7, Revier was arrested on North Bergen Road in Byron. She allegedly drove her vehicle off the roadway while in an intoxicated condition. Revier was released on appearance tickets and is due in Byron Town Court on March 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Phillip Detraell Byford Jr., 29, of Brockport Spencerport Road, Brockport, was arrested March 3 on two separate warrants out of Batavia City Court. It is alleged that Byford stole from the Speedway convenience store at 204 W. Main St. in Batavia at 8:44 p.m. on Jan. 24 and then failed to appear in court after his appearance ticket was issued. He was arraigned in city court and released. He is due back in court on March 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

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