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A two-vehicle accident with one minor injury is reported at 4740 Barrville Road in Elba between Luddington and Bridge roads. Elba fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

About a dozen boys and girls donned caps and coats, put away their cubbies and prepared to go home after class Friday morning at Le Roy Nursery School. They're in the pre-kindergarten program, which prepares them for a structured learning environment.

They were surprisingly quiet and orderly and then sat on the large carpet at the front of the room to sing the goodbye song with Teacher Debbie Chipre, who has taught a generation of children. She's been there for 20 years.

They clapped their hands, winked an eye and sang that is was time to say goodbye.

"On Monday we're going to learn about the letter L," Chipre said. "So don't forget to wear your Le Roy school shirt!"

She was assisted by Teacher Robyn Falcone, who's taught there for six years.

Both women are proud of the program offered, which teaches basics: letters and numbers; small-muscle coordination (such as using tiny scissors); age-appropriate social and self-help skills; how to write their name; even some Spanish and sign language. Chipre and Falcone also sometimes spot a potential problem area, such as speech or a physical limitation, so it can be addressed before they enter kindergarten.

The pre-K program consists of three half-days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday for preschoolers up to age 6. Nursery school is half-days Tuesday and Thursday for potty-trained tykes, age 2-ish. Each program is limited to 20 students.

"We primarily serve local kids -- we want to give these kids a fighting chance to succeed," said parent Russell Western, a native of England who moved to the United States 10 years ago and serves as the school's vice president in charge of scholarship funding.

What really sets Le Roy Nursery School apart from others is that it's a nonprofit with a seven-member board of directors made up of parent volunteers who oversee all aspects of the school charter. The school opened in 1963 and gets not a dime of public aid.

Melissa Cone is the parent representative and has three children, the youngest of which, 5-year-old Lydia, is currently enrolled there. She said the essence of the school is oversight by parents for the benefit of children and betterment of the community.

Those who attend Le Roy Nursery School will eventually go to Wolcott Street School and then on to Le Roy Central School. One of the developments that has put a financial strain on Le Roy school, is the implementation of a pre-K program at Wolcott.

Now in its second year, the program is five days a week with "half-day" sessions, either two and a half hours in the mornings or afternoons. Western said the school district views Le Roy Nursery School as a viable option for families, not as competition.

But he thinks the Wolcott program's schedule might be too demanding for some children.

Cipre said her school offers greater flexibility ( you can drop off your child earlier or latter than the schedule if needed due to work conflicts, at no additional charge) and is an easier transition for many preschoolers because they are in a half-day class only three times a week.

Le Roy is considered very reasonable -- $65 a month for pre-K, $50 a month for nursery school. But when enrollment drops off because parents opt for the free, public preschool program, the nonprofit must work that much harder to raise money. The teachers have to be paid, supplies purchased. Lights, heating and rent remain the same.

"We don't get to waste money," Western said.

So throughout the year they stay busy to keep the school open and raise scholarship funds. There's an annual Turkey Trot, a breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus at McDonald's, car washes, bake sales, etc. All of the events are intended to be fun for the whole family and welcoming to the community.

Le Roy Nursery School also conducts an annual, general-operating-fund drive in which it directly solicits around 100 local businesses and sponsors. The most recent one raised about $13,000.

Western said scholarships to attend Le Roy Nursery School are available. Those are allocated by the board based on need.

An open house and registration opportunity is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday (Feb. 22). On March 28, the community is invited to breakfast with the Easter Bunny at McDonald's in Le Roy. Tickets are $6 to benefit Le Roy Nursery School.

The school is located on the side of the Presbyterian Church, across from the fire station at 7 Clay St. Phone is 768-7700.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Route 63 and Peoria Road in Pavilion. A van is on its side. Unjuries, if any, are unknown.

A Pavilion fire engine is responding and Le Roy medic is on scene. The driver is now in the ambulance.

Stafford Fire Department and an engine from the Town of Batavia are being sent to 8282 Pearl Road for a possible chimney fire.

UPDATE 6:13 p.m.: Stafford is on scene and reports nothing is showing. Town of Batavia engine is returning to quarters.

A fire in the engine compartment of a pickup truck prompted Bergen Fire Department to shut down traffic temporarily at 920 Johnson Road, between Apple Tree and O'Brien roads.

Le Roy Fire Department is responding to a report of power lines down in the area of Asbury and Harris roads.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: The source of the outage is identified as Niagara Mohawk Power pole no. 9428, which was replaced just last weekend. The cable company is being alerted because the line is arcing into its line.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C—Batavia) responded thusly to Governor Paterson’s proposal to temporarily withhold state-tax refunds from New York residents.

“This week’s announcement by Governor Paterson that he plans to delay state income-tax refunds is unacceptable and just another prime example of Albany’s inability to manage taxpayer dollars,” Hawley said. “Many families and small businesses depend on receiving their refunds on time in order to make large purchases, which in turn boost their local economy. By withholding these refunds, Albany is adding to the unreasonable financial strain New Yorkers are already being forced to bear.”

The Paterson administration is considering a plan to withhold $500 million dollars in refunds, in order to help close the budget gap. In doing so, the state does not have to pay interest on withholding the tax refunds until 45 days after April 15, giving the state an interest-free loan from taxpayers. According to the governor’s office, tax refunds will be sent to filers no later than the first two weeks of April.

“Taxpayers are mandated to submit their tax returns on time every year or face an interest penalty. If the state is late in paying refunds, why shouldn’t it be forced to pay taxpayers back with interest, too? It is my hope that in the coming days, the governor will reconsider this ill-advised proposal and give taxpayers the refunds they deserve. Otherwise, my advice to New Yorkers is the same that I give to my own family: take more exemptions on your future tax filings because it’s your money to begin with, not their's,” Hawley concluded.

Yo yo, check it out...

When a group of dedicated students and faculty join together to support an important cause, creative things can happen -- especially in the middle of the night.

At the Feb. 5 "All-nighter for Haiti" at Genesee Community College, more than 50 students willingly shared a sleepless night in the Student Union pledging their support for the earthquake-ravaged country.

Under the guidance of Candice S. Faulring, instructor of psychology and faculty advisor to the Gay-Straight Alliance student club, the event not only raised nearly $2,000, it  created a new sense of camaraderie from an array of different student clubs.

"The students were very excited throughout the night and in the end, they just didn't want the positive experience to end with the all-nighter," Faulring said. "We are already planning to make this an annual event, picking a new charitable cause each year. Of all the things I've been involved with at GCC, this is one I'm most proud of."

The event was co-sponsored by the following student clubs and departments: Gay-Straight Alliance, the African-American Student Union, FORUM Players, the Art Club, College Village and Student Activities. Proceeds from "All-nighter for Haiti" will be donated to Yele Haiti and Doctors Without Borders – Haiti.

The students groups worked together to organize the all-night series of different activities that included team-building exercises, movie features, a karaoke contest, ping pong and billiard games, pizza and wings at midnight, comedy, and perhaps most dynamically, the heartwarming, one-hour discussion about Haiti. Students talked about how people around the world, not the least of which includes GCC, are pulling together to help bring the impoverished nation back from the brink of oblivion.

"What was so wonderful was the open, honest conversations that drew the students from very diverse backgrounds and different interests together," Faulring said. "Cohesion like this doesn't happen in just an hour in a classroom setting. New friendships were definitely made that night and those will last long beyond the all-nighter helping Haiti."

Students are looking forward to sharing their experience by posting their photos on Facebook and continuing their communication through the Internet. They are also beginning to plan the next all-nighter this fall.

The term "pulling an all-nighter" may conjure negative images of students cramming for an exam, finishing a paper or working through a double shift. But this "all-nighter" brings to mind students and faculty dedicated to helping people in need. It really means creative collaborations that lead to camaraderie.

For more information please contact Candice Faulring, instructor of psychology at Genesee Community College at 343-0055 x6295 or email csfaulring@genesee.edu.

Peter H. Scrooby is officially persona non grata at Darien Lake Theme Park after reaching a deal with the Genesee County District Attorney's office over his July 15 disorderly conduct charge.

The 33-year-old Irondequoit resident was accused of violating 240.20 of the state penal code while attending the Kid Rock concert last summer. Tonight in Darien Town Court, he agreed to plead guilty to the charge in exchange for no jail time and no factual admission of being a disorderly person.

Under what is known as the Alfred procedure, the prosecutor recited the evidence against the defendant, who waived his right to a trial and cross-examination by witnesses. It's the same as being convicted by trial.

Scrooby was present with his lawyer, Tom Burns, and wore cream-colored pants, black shoes, a dark-brown jacket, white shirt and a geometric-patterned, olive-green tie. His shoulder-length, light-brown hair appeared uncombed.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl relayed the people's version of things to Justice Gary Graber.

Security guard Kevin Nunn reported that after another security employee made him aware of Scrooby's conduct, he found Scrooby standing on a chair and smoking a cigarette, neither of which are permitted at the concert venue.

Nunn claims he told Scrooby to stop those actions and that Scrooby "seemed to ignore" the directives at first, but did put the cigarette out and seemed about to get down off the chair when Nunn left. Shortly thereafter, Nunn returned to find Scrooby once again smoking a cigarette and standing on his chair. It was then that Scrooby was told to leave and he "indicated he would not leave."

Zickl said with thousands of concertgoers present, the security team aims to handle problems as quickly and efficiently as possible so as not to incite a riot or create more trouble.

"Scrooby had to be carried from the seating area to the gate, screaming profanities," Zickl said. "At the North Gate, where people enter and leave the concert area, a guard said he was kicking and rearing back with his head. He was screaming 'Look what you're doing to me! Can you see what they're doing to me?!'"

Zickl said Scrooby's behavior constituted public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm.

Burns said his client admits smoking and standing on his chair but claims someone came on the loudspeaker and told people to stand on their chairs, which is why he did that. As for Scrooby's behavior while being removed from the concert, Burns said the way his arm was twisted behind his back caused "excruciating pain" and he displayed an "instinctive type of reaction to pain." His client also maintains that there was inappropriate conduct by security personnel.

"We ask as part of this agreement that he not be welcome back at Darien Lake," Zickl said.

Justice Graber OK'd that restriction, fined Scrooby a mandatory surcharge of $125 and ordered bail money be refunded.

Graber said concerts are necessarily more restrictive than other public activities in what can and can't be allowed.

"There's a way to walk out and deal with it later," Graber told Scrooby. "We'll consider this a lesson learned."

NOTE: This story is a follow up to an article we did July 15 about what a night is like in Darien Town Court when a big concert is being held at Darien Lake Theme Park. Scrooby was one of the defendants who came through the court room that night.

A structure fire is reported near the north corner of South Main and Walnut streets, by the roundabout, in the City of Batavia. Smoke was said to be coming from a yellow house. But a fireman reports: "I'm in the area, I don't see anything yet."

UPDATE (12:57 p.m.): Fireman says "Nothing showing, We're clear here."

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on Akron Road in Pembroke, east of Wyman Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls are responding, along with Mercy EMS. Fire police are requested to block traffic on Akron and Wyman and Akron at Route 77.

A motor-vehicle accident with injury is reported in front of Tim Horton's restaurant at 20 Main St. in the City of Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS are handling it.

A barn fire is reported at 1156 Route 354 in Attica, located between Alleghany and Burrough roads in Wyoming County. Alexander and Darien are called to respond, including a fast team. Bethany and a unit from Alexander and Town of Batavia are requested to stand by at Attica Fire Hall.