Genesee Sun

Manhunt at Farview Golf Course

AVON — Currently at Farview Golf Course there is a manhunt for a man who fled authorities in a stolen vehicle.

Apparently the vehicle was stolen in Geneseo. Currently there are helicopters, State Police, K-9 units, and Livingston County Sheriff authorities all  combining efforts to capture the suspect.

The GeneseeSun.com is on scene and will bring you more information as the story unfolds.

Sheriff York Recognized by Board of Supervisors

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — A resolution by the Livingston County Board of Supervisors was passed supporting the nomination of Sheriff John York to receive the Law enforcement Award by the New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Sheriff York joined the department in 1969 after serving in the military during Vietnam.

"I was one of the lucky ones that came back," said Sheriff York during the Monthly Board of Supervisors meeting.

Sheriff York manages 181 employees and a budget over $13 million dollars, he has served as Sheriff since 1989.

"I'm very honored to be recognized by this community, but more importantly I am honored to be a part of this community," said Sheriff York to a standing ovation.

Schledorn Charged with Felony DWI After Double Fatal Sparta Accident

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — After a fatal accident claimed the lives of two southern Livingston County residents last week, one of which was a young mother, felony charges have now followed as a result of further invetigation.

According to a press release from Livingston County Sheriff John M. York,  William Schledorn, 29, was charged with Felony Driving While Intoxicated, Felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree and a third Felony of Making an apparently false sworn statement in the First Degree.

The initial investigation into the accident that took the lives of Joshua Price and Katie Burr on Kysorville Byersville Road in the Town of West Sparta did not include any felony charges.

Allegedly Schledorn failed to initially advise first responding Deputies and later Sheriff's Office Investigators that he had been operating a second motor vehicle and had also been consuming alcohol prior to the operation of this vehicle, he was friends with both of the victims.

Schledorn had a revoked New York State license for a prior Driving While Intoxicated conviction, resulting in the Felony DWI and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation charges. The Felony Making a false sworn statement charge is the result of his
several false statements which attempted to mislead the investigation.

Schledorn was arraigned before Judge Moffat in West Sparta Town Court.  The Judge set bail on Schledorn at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.  Schledorn was turned over to the Custody of the Sheriff to be held at the Livingston County Jail.

The investigation was handled by Investigator Thomas Dougherty, Investigator Brian Applin, Sgt Norman Zeh, Deputy Shawn Whitford and ID Technicians; Deputy Michael Williams and Deputy Chad Vanauken.  The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Livingston County District Attorney's Office and Monroe County Medical Examiner's.

Mumford's Burnwell Gas Explodes, Injuring At Least One Employee

MUMFORD — An explosion at the Burnwell Gas Company has destroyed the building and injured at least one company employee.

The employee was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with burns on his face and body. It is unknown if the blaze, which occurred around 3 this afternoon, injured anyone else.

Firefighters from over 24 fire departments are still fighting the 3-alarm fire, which has now been declared under control by the Mumford Fire Department.

Residents in the area were told to evacuate.

Drew Zantopp, who runs Zantopia Herb Gardens across the street from Burnwell says he heard the explosion before he saw it.

“I had my back to the building across the street and I heard this tremendous ‘boom,’” he said. “I looked over my right shoulder and there was this fireball coming out of the roof. The roof had gone up in the air. Within moments, the entire building was engulfed in this tremendous, orange, burning ball of flames, and I started to freak out.”

Zantopp said he called 911 and his wife called Caledonia-Mumford school, which was about to dismiss students for the day.

Diane, a Genesee Valley Emergency Medical Services member from Caledonia, saw the building burning on her way home from work.

“The whole left side of the building was engulfed in flame,” she said. “It was maybe around 3, and there were massive amounts of smoke and flames at that time. The wind was just feeding the fire. It’s been burning ever since.”

As of 6 p.m. firefighters were still putting out the flames.

The cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.