news

Vernon R. Hil, 18, of Prole Road Extension, Stafford, is charged with second-degree burglary and fourth degree criminal mischief. At 2:24 a.m. on Oct. 16, Batavia Police responded to the report of an unknown male found inside a residence on Otis Street in the City of Batavia. Hill exited the residence upon patrols' arrival and he was taken into custody. Disturbed property and a damaged water line were found in the basement. He was arraigned on the charges and jailed without bail. He is due in City Court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Eric Bolles.

Shawna M. Reynolds, 39, of Eleanor Place, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 after allegedly threatening to shoot a City of Batavia Police officer after a patrol was dispatched to her residence for a 9-1-1 hang-up with unknown circumstances. She was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 18 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Kimberly M. Volk, 28, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. She was arrested at 7:25 p.m. on Oct. 11 following a disturbance on South Main Street. She is due in City Court on Oct. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Nicole Salamone.

Priscilla M. Donahue, 38, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On Oct. 9, Batavia Police responded to Rite Aid on East Main Street for a report of a larceny of a cell phone which occurred at 1:05 p.m. on Oct. 8. Following an investigation, it was determined that Donahue allegedly entered the story and stole the cell phone. She was arrested and the cell phone was also recovered. She is due in City Court on Oct. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Jeri M. Diaz, 36, of Bank Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court for failing to appear regarding a traffic ticket issued on July 20. Diaz posted bail and was due in City Court on Oct. 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Gregory M. Munroe II, 28, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested on a warrant out of City Court after failing to appear for traffic violations issued on Aug, 20. He was released and is due in City Court on Oct. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: Law enforcement units are with a man in the woods near Francis Road. Unconfirmed at this moment that it's Mr. Aubrey. 

A 75-year-old vulnerable adult from Alexander is still missing this afternoon and a new coordinate search effort will open a command post in the Francis Road area at 1 p.m.

As many as six, possibly more, K-9s from various law enforcement and search and rescue teams will join the search, said Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator for Genesee County.

The property of Robert W. Aubrey, as well as adjacent properties will be searched thoroughly, Yaeger said. If he's not located, according to Yaeger, then at least those properties can be ruled out as a possible location for the missing man.

Yaeger said Aubrey is known to walk along roadways, not so much into the woods, so if he left his property, then there's a chance he is walking along a roadway somewhere or was given a ride to some unknown location.

He was spotted on Putnam Road on Saturday.

Yesterday, a pair of blue pants, like those Aubrey may be wearing, were found in Kiwanis Park, but it was determined the pants did not belong to Aubrey, Yaeger said.

DEC forest rangers will also join the search today.

If the cloud cover lifts this afternoon, State Police aviation will join the search.

Should you have information regarding this incident please contact the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at 585-343-5000.

UPDATE 12:49 p.m.: The missing man has been found alive and is being transported to a hospital.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: According to Tim Yaeger, Genesee County Emergency Services coordinator, Robert W. Aubrey was found about 30 minutes ago by a family member who joined the search party. The missing man was about a quarter mile, south by southwest from his house. "He's in good condition, considering he spent two days in the woods," Yaeger said. Rescuers were preparing to deploy more canine units and air patrols when the dementia patient was found. His wife told responders she last saw him around 1 p.m. yesterday, when he went outside. He usually walks along roadways, and searchers, led by Bethany fire command, concentrated on roads after a few people reported sightings. But on Saturday he apparently went for a walk in the woods, or got turned around and ended up in there. Aubrey seems to be in good condition, was looking for water, and understood he was being taken by ambulance to UMMC for evaluation. The weather over the weekend was fairly warm and that was fortuitious. Yaeger said a tracking device would have helped locate Aubrey sooner.

A driver reportedly swerved and try and avoid a deer on the Thruway near mile marker 378, according to State Police, but struck the deer, causing the car carrying five people to careen across the media into the eastbound lane of traffic where it was struck by a tractor-trailer.

Three people were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight and two were transported by ground ambulance. 

"All of the injuries were non-life-threatening, as far as we know," said a spokesman for Troop T Zone 4. 

He said the names were not being released. He doesn't know if family notifications have taken place or where the victims lived.

Two of the victims were ejected from the vehicle. 

Responding to the scene were Le Roy Fire, Le Roy Ambulance, three Mercy EMS ambulances and three Mercy Flight helicopters.

Concurrent with the Thruway accident was one on the I-490 in Bergen. We've requested information on that accident from Troop E.

Bergen Fire and Churchville Fire responded to that accident. There was a reported vehicle fire. Bergen's ambulance and Byron's ambulance responded, as well, along with Chili's ambulance.

Photo: of Thruway accident, submitted by a reader.

The 15th Annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame dinner is Saturday at Terry Hills.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person.

This year's inductees are: Karen Thomas Dupuis, 1982; David Dedman, 1989; Christopher Kane, 1986; Frank Pontillo, 1991; Susan Salvador Tresco, 1986; and John McGowan Jr., 1995.

(Photo submitted by the Landmark Society of Genesee County.)

The Landmark Society of Genesee County presented its annual preservation awards Saturday during a dinner at the First Presbyterian Church of Le Roy.

Pictured are: Garth and Amy Swanson, David and Robyn Tufts, Peg Sanford with Gregg and Debbie McAllister, Beverly Bodeker, manager of the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant, Michelle and Chris Krtanik, Pastor David Pepper and Ann Ver Hague.

For more information on the winners, click here.

Alexander Fire is requested to the scene for manpower.

No description has been provided.

A caller reports previously, last week, picking up a man walking alone on Creek Road and a deputy is advised to check that area.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: Pavilion and Darien requested crews standby in quarters.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: State Police also assisting in the search. The Sheriff's Office is working on obtaining and distributing a picture of the individual. It's unclear if the distribution is to include the media, or just law enforcement.

UPDATE 4:03 p.m.: The man is 75 years old and has been missing since 1 p.m. yesterday.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m. (press release): The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a missing vulnerable adult incident. At 12:12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16,  the Genesee County Emergency Dispatcher Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a Robert W. Aubrey (75 years of age) had wandered off from 9490 Francis Road in the Town of Bethany on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 at around 1 p.m. The subject is described as a white male, 5’6”, with gray hair. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeve blue T-shirt, blue pants and glasses. He suffers from severe dementia and also walks with a limp. A search of the immediate area is currently underway. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by New York State Police, Genesee County Emergency Management Office, Bethany and Alexander fire departments. (Photos provided by GC Sheriff's Office.)

Should you have information regarding this incident please contact the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at 585-343-5000.

UPDATE: 4:55 p.m.: A fire crew from Town of Batavia is asked to assemble and deploy to Bethany for this search. Also, a male caller to dispatch reported that he passed the missing subject yesterday twice on Putnam Road. The second time he passed him, the man was northbound, walking in a ditch, in the 9000 block.

UPDATE 10:27 p.m. The search was halted at nightfall. Mr. Aubrey has not been located at this time.

UPDATE 11:37 a.m., Oct. 17: The search resumed this morning and about a half hour ago, family members got the OK from the Sheriff's Office to fan out and look for their loved one in the woods,

A pickup truck has reportedly hit a bridge in the area of 650 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

If there are injuries, they are apparently minor. The driver is out of the vehicle and walking around.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:12 a.m.: The vehicle is well off the road. It hit a guardrail.

UPDATE 8:15 a.m.: Ambulance can continue in, non-emergency.

UPDATE 8:27 a.m.: Two tow trucks will be needed to deal with the vehicle. A hook to pull it to the road, and a flatbed to haul it away. Bloomingdale will be shut down for a time during the operation.

There is reportedly a two-car accident in the area of mile marker 377.9 of the Thruway in Le Roy.

Injuries are reported and one person may have been ejected from a vehicle.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby. 

Le Roy fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:38 p.m.: Dispatchers received an update from a tollbooth indicating possibly four injuries, possibly two ejections.

UPDATE 11:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight #9 out of Buffalo dispatched, with a 22-minute ETA. Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia dispatched. A second ambulance from Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: Churchville fire requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:52  p.m.: One of the cars is on fire.

UPDATE 11:57 p.m.: A medic  tells dispatch, "we've got one critical, one who could be BLS (basic life support)." Another medic informs Mercy Flight that a patient is ready to go.

UPDATE 12:03 a.m.: Another Mercy EMS unit is in route to the scene.

UPDATE 12:13 a.m.: One of the seriously injured is a teenager. The car fire is out.

UPDATE 12:14 a.m.: Bergen ambulance is transporting one to Strong.

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: All victims extricated.

UPDATE 12:17 a.m.: There may be two separate calls here, with Le Roy working the Thruway accident and Bergen on a fire call on Route 490. A second patient being transported to Strong. An update coming on a third patient.

UPDATE 12:21 a.m.: Mercy Flight #9 is on the ground.  

UPDATE 12:25 a.m.: A Mercy Flight helicopter is headed to Strong. Another patient also being transported to Strong.

UPDATE 12:39 a.m.: A third helicopter did land at the scene, Mercy Flight #10. It is now in route to Strong.

UPDATE 12:50 a.m.: Units are starting to go back in service.

UPDATE 1:31 a.m.: Photo from our news partner, 13WHAM. Also, Bergen assignment from the 490 back in service.

Reader submitted photo.

Reader submitted photo.

Bill Chase, a tour guide today, stands on "the big rock" near the site of what was once one of the largest Native American settlements in the region, on property now owned by Lamb Farms in the Town of Oakfield. The rock may have served as a grinding stone for the Indians, but there is little evidence to support that supposition. At one time, Town of Oakfield considered moving the stone into Triangle Park.

The visit to the big rock was part of four tours today of 30 people each to the site known to later generations of Seneca as Tegat Ainea Aghgue, or town with two forts.  It's the first time the Oakfield Historical Society organized a tour of the site and it proved to be hugely popular. All four tours were sold out and another 30 or 40 people wanted to go on the tour.

The location of the other fort has never been confirmed, but the Oakfield fort was occupied for about 100 years during the 12th and 13th centuries.

The fort was located on the banks of a creek in an area that may have been cleared of trees by fire. Evidence suggests that the Indians waited for new saplings to grow big enough and tall enough to serve as a fence for the fort. They also dug a ditch around the five acres of the fort.

Reverend Samuel Kirkland first visited the site in 1788 and found large trees growing in the area, but the mound and ditch were clearly visible. 

Sixty years later, E.G. Squire mapped the fort, even though part had been cleared by that time for farmland. 

The woods were filled with trees of enormous size and age, he reported. 

Kirkland may have found the second fort, but it has never been located since.

In 1958, a team from University at Buffalo, led by professor Marion White, assisted by amateur archeologist Stanley Vanderlaan, dug a portion of the site and discovered the remains of three longhouses. 

Many residents have known about the area their whole lives and one person on the tour said for a long time it was still possible to find arrowheads in the farm field right after the spring plowing.

The land is privately owned, but that doesn't stop motorcyclists and ATV riders from using the trails in the area. 

The guide reminded everybody they should not visit the site without permission. There may come a day in the future when archeologists want to return, perhaps with better and more sophisticated equipment to help uncover more about the lives of these early settlers. 

The embankment to the right is part of the ditch that surrounded the fort.

This white oak -- the white oak is what gives Oakfield its name -- is possibly the largest and oldest still standing in Oakfield. It's more than 300 years old. Each member of the tour was offered an acorn from a white oak to take home and try and grow. 

A propane tank leak is reported on Skye Road, Basom.

Alabama fire, Indian Falls and a tanker from Oakfield are requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:08 p.m.: All Alabama units back in service.

An ATV accident with unknown injuries is reported in the area of 7756 Macomber Road, East Pembroke.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS responding.

A person is expected to meet responders by the road to take them to the scene of the accident.

UPDATE 5:35 p.m.: Mercy Flight out of Buffalo on a ground standby.

UPDATE 5:37 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

The Manor House is hosting a forum called "Aging with Options" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21. It's is free and open to the public intended to help the 50+ folks better understand options for the aging.

There will be workshops, vendors and mini clinics offering vision tests, blood pressure checks and hearing tests, and more. UMMC is sponsoring the event.

To register or for more information call 344-2345.

The Manor House is located at 427 E. Main St.

A Dementia Care Conference for families and loved ones will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility in Batavia.

It is free and open to the public but registration is required. Call 1-800-272-3900 to register.

Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton Street Road.

The event is offered by the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and it is sponsored, in part, by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.

Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities are available.

There are three areas of focus:

1. The Basics of Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
2. Legal & Financial Planning for Dementia
3. Caregiver Resources

A caller to dispatch reports three girls about 8 years old are walking westbound on West Avenue in Elba and they are allegedly taking other people's mail and carrying it with them.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: The caller "is concerned that they are going to be injured," perhaps due to their proximity to oncoming traffic.

UPDATED 5:25 p.m., Oct. 16: Here's the email we received from a parent; we withheld the name.

Please post an update on news of the trio of Elba girls stealing mail.  

I'm one of the fathers of the three girls that were delivering the mail in Elba on Saturday. I just wanted to leave a note saying that my daughter and I went door to door and apologized for the action. I realize the person who called it in to the sheriff thought they were stealing the mail but they were delivering it to the front door of each home trying to be helpful. I have discussed it with my daughter and she knows the consequences of her actions.

Matthew D. Derrick, 31, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with: third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; first-degree menacing; endangering the welfare of a child; and second-degree harassment. On Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m., Batavia Police responded to 335 Bank St. for the report of a male with a knife threatening to harm other people. Upon arrival, Derrick was taken into custody. Further investigation revealed that Derrick allegedly possessed a corkscrew and threatened a 14-year-old male with the corkscrew. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail. He was due back in court on Oct. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Demetri C. Stewart, 23, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with intimidating a witness -- instilling fear of physical injury. He was arrested at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 on Lewis Place for allegedly threatening a witness in an open investigation in which he is a suspect. He was jailed without bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer James DeFreze.

Samantha Hicks-O'Connell, of Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, is charged with allowing her dog to bark habitually. She was arrested on Oct. 7, a day after a complaint that she left her dogs outside barking for an extended period of time. She was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 18 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Amber Marie Shea, 27, of Platten Road, Lyndonville, is charged with first-degree falsifying business records and fourth-degree grand larceny. Shea was arrested on these charges following an investigation in which it is alleged she stole from her employer on Aug. 15 on West Main Street in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She was due back in City Court on Oct. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer Nicole Salamone.

Amber Marie Shea, 27, of Platten Road, Lyndonville, is charged with identity theft and petit larceny. Shea turned herself in on an arrest warrant and was directed to appear in City Court Oct. 11. The charges stem from an investigation in which it is alleged that Shea stole a debit card on Aug. 21 and used it on West Main Street in Batavia without authorization. The case was handled by Batavia Police Sgt. Dan Coffey.

James M. Jurek, 44, of North Main Street, Mount Morris, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operation; DWI -- common law; aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or more; open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle; and improper signal. Jurek was arrested at 7:13 p.m. on Oct. 5 on West Main Street in Batavia. Jurek was allegedly found to be operating his vehicle while intoxicated and with a suspended driver's license. He was jailed and due back in City Court on Oct. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Nicole Salamone, assisted by Mitchell Cowen.

Dean E. Walter, 56, of Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and second-degree burglary. Walter was arrested at 2 p.m. on Oct. 6 following an investigation. He allegedly had contact with a protected party who had an order of protection. Walter had been ordered to have no contact with the individual. He was allegedly located inside the protected party's residence. He was jailed without bail and was due in City Court on Oct. 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Andre K. Tiejan, 45, of 4070 Dominion Drive, Erie, Pa., is charged with criminal trespass. He was arrested at 11:26 p.m. on Oct. 6 on Dewey Avenue in Batavia after being told to leave the residence of a female acquaintance and allegedly refusing to do so. He was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 11 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Jason Davis. 

Douglas S. Hofer, 53, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Hofer was located inside a residence on Oak Street while partols were on an unrelated matter at 10:25 a.m. on Oct. 8. A marijuana bong was allegedly located on the coffee table in the same room as Hofer. He was taken into custody. A subsequent search of his person led to the alleged discovery of a crack pipe and heroin. He was arrested and processed and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $2,000 cash or bond. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Akeem R. Gibson, 26, of Washburn Street, Lockport, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson was arrested at 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 3 after he allegedly stole the tip jar from the Southside Deli in Batavia on Sept. 3. She was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on Oct. 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Garrett, J. Ditzel, 22, no permanent address, was arrested at 3:39 p.m. on Oct. 6 at 40 Batavia City Centre following a shoplifting investigation at a local business. He was charged with petit larceny and was due in City Court on Oct. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Sgt. Dan Coffey, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Cathy Jean Tarey, 61, of Starr Road, Wyoming, was arrested at 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 12 and charged with petit larceny. She allegedly stole merchandise from Marshall's in the Town of Batavia. She was released with an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia Town Court on Oct. 24. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Kevin John Milbrand, 52, of South Lake Road, Pembroke, is charged with trespass. The defendant was arrested at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 11 on South Lake Road, Pembroke, for allegedly trespassing on posted property without permission. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Stephen J. Turkasz, 26, of Brookhaven Lane, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear in court after an appearance ticket was issued to answer a charge of criminal mischief. This stems from an incident at noon on Oct. 4 on Edwards Street, Batavia. He was arrested on a warrant out of City Court. He was jailed in lieu of $1,000 cash or bond and was due back in City Court on Oct. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Sarah L. Marcello, 24, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant out of City Court for failure to appear for a traffic summons issued July 7 on State Street, Batavia. She posted bail and was released and is due back in City Court at a later time. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Christopher Lindsay.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra, led by new conductor S. Shade Zajac, opens its 2016-17 season tomorrow at 4 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia.

The concert will feature performances by the winners of the annual Young Artists Competition, Jackie Hager, cello (top photo), and Jarod Yap, piano (second photo).

The program includes a piece by New York composer Dana Willson, "A Shortcut Home," along with Concerto in D Minor, by Lalo, Concerto in A Minor, by Schumann and "Scheherazade," by Rimsky-Korsako.

Purchase tickets online on the GSO website.

A two-car, minor injury accident is reported in the area of 3714 Pearl Street Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:12 p.m.: Two people being transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Batavia Police are responding to State Street after a woman complained that her neighbor was "shining a light on her while she was in her driveway."

Press release:

Benefits volunteer emergency responders receive as a reward for their service is no longer subject to federal income tax, withholding and reporting. On Sept. 21 the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation exempting these nominal benefits. 

Language from the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA), which excludes property tax benefits and up to $600 of other types of benefits for the 2017 tax year, was added to the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act. The Committee approved the benefit by a voice vote. The amendment was sought by senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the sponsors of VRIPA (S. 609/H.R. 2752).

“On behalf of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) I’d like to thank senators Schumer and Collins for their work on this important legislation, which will help local emergency response agencies recruit and retain volunteer personnel,” said NVFC Chair Kevin D. Quinn. “On average a volunteer firefighter in the United States donates services worth more than $18,000 to the community that he or she serves. It is common sense to clarify that the nominal incentives that volunteers receive as a reward for their service should not be taxed by the federal government.”

The NVFC will continue to work to identify opportunities to pass VRIPA before the end of the year and will provide updates if and when votes take place on the House or Senate floor. In the meantime, you can use the NVFC’s Legislative Action Center to contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to ask them to support VRIPA.

WANTED: Your gently used coats, sweaters, parkas and such for women, men, boys, girls and babies, too. All humanity!

Bahama Bay Salon and Spa in Downtown Batavia is having a winter coat drive through the month of October to benefit the Genesee County YWCA.

"We are doing it to support victims of domestic violence as October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month," says Shirley Puleo.

The business is located at 2 School St.

Hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sunday.

For salon services, call for appointment. Phone is 345-9644.