Le Roy

As Branson Butler, a student at Wolcott School, walked up to the new ice skating rink in Trigon Park in Le Roy, he yelled back to his friends trailing him, "It's huge!"

Branson said he can't wait to skate on the new rink and he expects Saturday's cold weather to freeze the water.

He said his parents are buying him new skates.

The forecast for Saturday calls for single-digit temperatures.

The rink is paid for by federal COVID-19 relief funds provided to local municipalities.

Previously: Le Royans can move off the creek and onto a new ice skating rink this winter

Shannon Lee Marvin, 30, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny. Marvin is accused of stealing a credit card from a person in Bergen in November and making several purchases with the card. Marvin was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Abigail M. Russell, 19, of Hamburg, is charged with petit larceny. Russell is accused of shoplifting a bag full of groceries from a local store at 12:01 p.m., Jan. 4. After receiving a report of the larceny, Russell was located by a Batavia patrol officer, identified as the suspect, and arrested.  She was released on an appearance ticket.

Walter M. Rhynes, 30, of Rochester, is charged with harassment 2nd. Rhynes is accused of trying to strike an employee of a local hotel at 1:29 p.m., Jan. 1. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Brittany N. Leach, 28, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal mischief 4th. Leach is accused of damaging a door and a vehicle on State Street at 11:10 p.m., Jan. 4. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Marcus T. Hill, 29, of East Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. The warrant stems from an incident reported at 9:45 p.m., April 25 (no details released) and was issued July 28 after Hill allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

Hailee N. Callicutt, 21, of Batavia, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, driving without insurance, driving on a suspended registration, and driving a vehicle with an obstructed view. Callicutt was stopped by Officer Peter Post at 10:02 p.m., Jan. 1, on Liberty Street.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian Graziaplena, 70, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Graziaplena reportedly drove his car into a tree at 4:23 p.m., Jan. 1, on North Lyon Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and released to a sober third party.

Dean C. Siminski, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Siminski allegedly sent a letter to a person covered by an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Eric Tyler McGrain, 29, of Donlin Drive, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, speeding, refusal to take breath test, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely. McGrain was stopped at 1:21 p.m., Jan. 8, on College Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

Trisha R. Santora, 39, of Batavia, is charged with eight counts of petit larceny and eight counts of falsifying business records 1st. Santora was arrested by State Police for an alleged crime reported in November. She was issued an appearance ticket. No further details were released.

Kyle A. Hillyard, 29, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hillyard was stopped at 1:35 a.m., Jan. 9, by State Police in the Town of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian P. Demko, 44, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Demko was arrested by State Police following an investigation in an incident reported at 7:42 p.m., Dec. 26, in the Town of Batavia. He allegedly made a threat toward another person. He was released on his own recognizance. No further details released.

Notre Dame came back from a first-half deficit, down 20-16, to beat Le Roy 42-33 to capture the 2022 Batavia Rotary Club Girls Basketball Classic championship.

It's the 15th time in 31 tournaments the Lady Irish have taken home the trophy.

Avelin Tomidy scored 14 points and Juda Macdonald scored 10 for Notre Dame.

For Le Roy, Lindsey Steffenilla scored 11 points.

Tomidy won the Christina Volpe MVP Award.

The rest of the all-tournament team:

• Jaimin Macdonald, Batavia
• Karli Houseknecht, Pembroke
• Kenna Mckenzie, Le Roy
• Maylee Green, Notre Dame
• Lyndsey Steffenilla, Le Roy

Lyndsey Wiedman won the Ray Shirtz Service Above Self Award.

Past champions:

• 2021 No Tourney
• 2020 Batavia
• 2019 Batavia
• 2018 Notre Dame
• 2016 Batavia
• 2015 Batavia
• 2014 Notre Dame
• 2013 Notre Dame
• 2012 Batavia
• 2011 Notre Dame
• 2010 Notre Dame
• 2009 Batavia  
• 2008 Batavia  
• 2007 Pavilion 
• 2006 Notre Dame
• 2005 Batavia
• 2004 Notre Dame
• 2003 Notre Dame
• 2002 Notre Dame
• 2001 Batavia
• 2000 Cal-Mum
• 1999 Notre Dame
• 1998 Notre Dame
• 1997 Notre Dame
• 1996 Notre Dame
• 1995 Pavilion
• 1994 Pavilion
• 1993 Gates-Chili
• 1992 Byron-Bergen
• 1991 Attica
• 1990 Attica

Past MVPs:

• 2020 McKenie Reigle, Batavia
• 2019 Bryn Wormley, Batavia
• 2018 Stevie Wilcox, Notre Dame
• 2017 Gillian Flint, Cal-Mum
• 2016 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
• 2015 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
• 2014 Laurie Call, Notre Dame
• 2013 Riley Norton, Notre Dame
• 2012 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
• 2011 Carly Pike, Notre Dame
• 2010 Nicole Hort, Notre Dame
• 2009 Jaycee Shirk, Batavia
• 2008 Annie Palermo, Batavia
• 2007 Hannah Norton, Pavilion
• 2006 Heidi Norton, Notre Dame
• 2005 Amanda Page, Batavia
• 2004 Katie Francis, Notre Dame
• 2003 Ashley Napoleone, Notre Dame
• 2002 Marie Stressing, Notre Dame
• 2001 Jen Batchellor, Batavia
• 2000 Kelley Sullivan, Cal-Mum
• 1999 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1998 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1997 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1996 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1995 Taya Blanton, Pavilion
• 1994 Taya Blanton, Pavilion
• 1993 Naima DeLain, Gates-Chili
• 1992 Melody Hutchinson, Byron-Bergen
• 1991 Lynn Jensen, Attica
• 1990 Jenny Acquard, Attica

In the first game of the first round of the Batavia Rotary Club Girls Basketball Classic, Le Roy beat Batavia 48-44.

For Le Roy, Kenna McKenzie and Lindsey Steffenille scored 13 points each. 

For Batavia, Jaimin Macdonald scored 16 points and Jaylene Dersham scored 15 points.

Le Roy will face Notre Dame in the championship game at 7:30 p.m. tonight at GCC.

For more photos, click here.

Press Release:

Are you an imaginative student who is creative, and likes to be innovative by experimenting with new technology and art? Put your talents to work and create your best work for the 2022 Digies Digital Media Festival. The Digies is an annual digital media conference and festival run by the School Library Service, a program of the Genesee Valley BOCES. The mission of the Digies is to strengthen the digital media continuum between Pre-K-12 schools, higher education, and professional institutions.

This competition recognizes student potential in an annual festival format and draws student entries from throughout the region and the Upstate New York area. Submissions for this year’s annual contest are now being accepted. Students are encouraged to submittheir work that is completed from April 1, 2021, through the deadline of April 8, 2022. All entries must comply with the ethics and copyright guidelines of the festival. Entries can come from schools, public libraries, and arts councils in Western New York. The competition is divided into four genres; audio, graphic arts, interactive, and video. In each genre, submissions are judged per age category; grades PreK-3, 4-6, 7-9 and, 10-12. Interested in learning more? Visit digies.org for more information.

 The Digies Media Festival is made possible by the School Library System, Model Schools, and Media Library Services of Genesee Valley BOCES in collaboration with the librarians and technology coordinators of the
region.

The winner of the 2021 Digies grades 10-12 Graphic Arts category is Michelle Jefferson, from
Dansville CSD. Her artwork is titled Neon Lights.

Daquan J. Butler, 25, of Liberty, is charged with criminal impersonation 2nd. Butler allegedly lied to police about his identity while officers were investigating a disturbance on Thorpe Street, Batavia, at 11:50 p.m., Dec. 25. Butler was also wanted on a warrant.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Daniel P. Hinca, 26, of Ft. Meyers, Fla., is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and failure to use designated lane. Hinca was stopped by a Batavia PD patrol at 1:32 a.m., Dec. 24, on East Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Nicholas P. Knouse, 18, of Attica, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Knouse was allegedly found in possession of a rifle in violation of an order of protection at 3:07 p.m., Dec. 20. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Paul A. Inostroza, 31, of Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and aggravated harassment 2nd. Inostroza is accused of violating an order of protection following an incident on Dec. 11 and of leaving threatening voice mails. He was arrested at City Court on Dec. 23 and issued an appearance ticket.

Marvin K. Barber, Jr., 36, of Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Barber was allegedly involved in a fight inside a business in Batavia on Nov. 25 at 11:30 a.m. He was arrested on Dec. 23 and issued an appearance ticket.

Eric J. McGill, 38, of Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. McGill is accused of being involved in a fight inside a Batavia business on Nov. 25.  He was arrested on Dec. 21 and issued an appearance ticket.

Richard G. Hafford, 43, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th and harassment 2nd. Hafford was allegedly involved in a fight at a location on East Main Street, Batavia, at 2:21 a.m., Nov. 12. He was arrested on Dec. 23 and issued an appearance ticket.

Timmy L. Taylor, 47, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, grand larceny 4th, and aggravated unlicensed operation. Taylor is accused of stealing a mobile phone and a vehicle from a person and then operating that vehicle on a revoked license. Taylor was issued an appearance ticket.

Michael J. Robbins, 62, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny.  Robbins is accused of stealing $83.13 in merchandise from Walmart at 7:35 p.m., Dec. 30.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joseph Owen Hutt, 32, of Donlin Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI and speeding. Hutt was stopped at 7:22 p.m., Dec. 29, on Route 33, Byron, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. He was issued traffic tickets.

Lisa M. Grasby, 50, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Grasby was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 10:12 a.m., Dec. 24, in the Town of Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket. No further details were released.

For the first 12 minutes of their championship match at GCC on Thursday night, Le Roy and Attica looked pretty evenly matched, then in the waning minutes of the first half, the Oatkan Knights offense caught fire.

By the end, the score wasn't close.

Le Roy won the large school division crown of the 39th Annual Pete Arras Lions Tournament 58-34.

The Knights held the Blue Devils to only 14 points in the second half, only four points in the final quarter.

For Le Roy, Mitchel Hockey scored 28 points, Merritt Holly scored nine, John Penepento, 9, and Finn Shelby, 9.

For Attica, Cole Harding scored 11 points.

The all-tournament team for the large school division:

• Jamel Johnson, Roy-Hart
• Carter McFollins, Batavia
• Cole Harding, Attica
• Simon Lamparelli, Attica
• Merritt Holly, Le Roy
• Mitchel Hockey, Le Roy (MVP)

James L. Simonds is indicted on counts of burglary in the third degree, false report: fire, explosion, hazardous substance upon school grounds, and endangering the welfare of a child. Simonds is accused of entering John Kennedy School, 166 Vine St., Batavia, on Jan. 28 with the intent of committing a crime and while at that location did communicate false or baseless information about the occurrence or impending occurrence of a fire, explosion, or hazardous substance, on school grounds in a manner that was likely to cause public alarm. He is accused of knowingly acting in a manner to be injurious to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child.

Cynthia M. Mack is indicted on counts of burglary in the third degree and criminal mischief in the fourth degree.  Mack is accused of entering a dwelling on Lake Street in Le Roy on June 4 with the intent of committing a crime and while in the dwelling did intentionally damage property.

Robert C. Strollo is indicted on a count of failure to register a change of address as a sex offender. On or about Dec. 1, 2020, Strollo allegedly failed to register a change of address with the NYS Criminal Justice Service within 10 days of changing his address from a residence on Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

Marcella F. Greene, 37, of Fernwood Park, Rochester, and Chelsea M. Mutter, 28, of Miller Avenue, Batavia, are both charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th.

Greene and Mutter were arrested by members of the Local Drug Task Force after local law enforcement responded a call at Quality Inn and Suites, 8250 Park Road, about an attempt to locate a warrant subject.

Upon investigation, Greene and Mutter were allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine. They were taken into custody without incident and also arrested on multiple outstanding warrants.

The duo was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court.  Greene was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Mutter was released on her own recognizance. 

Batavia PD assisted in the investigation.

Brian Thomas Durett, 31, of Mount Vernon, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and speed not reasonable and prudent. Durett was charged following an investigation by Deputy Moore of a report at 12:39 a.m., Dec. 24, into a report of a vehicle in a ditch on I-490 in Le Roy.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Video submitted by Tim McArdle

Braiden Tower won first place, and Bryar Biracree, second, in the 7th-grade spelling bee today at Le Roy Middle School.

Mr. Knisley was the moderator and Mrs. Cain was the judge.

Braiden correctly spelled Zeppelin in the round for the win and will now advance to the regional competition.

To watch a video of the entire spelling bee, click here.

Photos and information submitted by Tim McArdle.

 

 

Rae C. Cook is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony, and assault in the second degree, a Class D violent felony. Cook is accused of using scissors to cause a physical injury to another person on Oct. 2 in the City of Batavia.

Joshua L. Webster is indicted on counts of aggravated criminal contempt, a Class D felony, assault in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal contempt in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor.  Webster is accused of violating an order of protection by intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury or serious physical injury to a person covered by an order of protection on Sept. 12 in the Town of Le Roy.

A rekenrek is a tool to help elementary-age children build a better sense of numbers, Stacie Wilson, the new numeracy coach in Le Roy Central Schools, explained to the Board of Education on Tuesday evening.

Students use it to help them grasp the concept of how numbers work together.

For example, take the number seven, if students are told to arrange the pieces on the rekenrek into groups that ad up into seven, they might move four pieces on one line and three on another, or two and five, or one and six, etc.

There is no wrong answer, said Wilson (top photo), which both helps students see how numbers work together and develop confidence in thinking about numbers.

The rekenrek, similar to an abacus but it is not based on place value columns, is just one tool to help students grasp a better concept of numbers.  

Wilson also uses, for example, a jar filled with items -- changed regularly -- that encourages students to guess how many of those items are in a jar.

"(These things) help students generally understand numbers and how numbers work and connect," Wilson said. "They can place values on things and it weaves into so many connections they will make through the years."

Teachers engage students in math classes in "number talk," Wilson said, so they can better grasp the concepts of numbers. They can develop flexible thinking about numbers, especially through us of the rekenrek where numbers can be combined visually in multiple ways to create new numbers.

"Some students are more resistant to math and they fear the wrong answer," Wilson said.  "This allows all kids into the experience and allows for them to really push their thinking about numbers."

Newly appointed trustee Jason Karcher.

Le Roy Central Schools will continue to keep doing what it's doing when it comes to COVID-19, Superintendent Merritt Holly told the Board of Education on Tuesday night, because it's been working.

That is, the district will continue to follow the protocols.

Holly said with a total of there are currently 25 more COVID-19 cases in the district this year than last at the same point, when there were 45, but by Dec. 24 last year, there were 81 cases.

The numbers, then, this year are looking pretty good, when you consider that this year, nearly all students are attending school daily and the world is dealing with varients that spread more easily than the version of SARS-CoV-2 that was in the air a year ago.

The data is clear, Holly said: The vaccines work.  Most of the local infections are among the unvaccinated.

The other advantage for the vaccinated is they don't have to follow the same quarantine protocols if they become a close contact to an infected person and are asymptomatic.

The district, he said, with temperature checks, social distancing, masks, quarantines for the unvaccinated who get exposed to the disease, are one of the safest environments for staff and students.

"What we've put in place has allowed us to stay functional and stay in school," Holly said.

A fully involved tractor-trailer fire is reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 384 in the westbound lane.

Le Roy Fire is on scene.

The cargo is unknown at this time. 

Dispatchers received multiple calls about the fire.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: Town of Batavia requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m: Batavia and Bergen can go back in service. Fire is knocked down.

The Le Roy HS boys cross country team did something no other cross country team has done in the history of the school this season: won a Section V title.

The team was honored at the start of the Le Roy Central Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

The team consisted of Erik Schwab, Aiden Soggs, Ian Kepple, James Blake, Cole Friedhaber, Kyle Northrup, and Andrew Greene.

Schwab had a fourth-place finish in the championship race and Soggs finished 8th.

In the girls' race, Charlotte Blake finished second overall, claiming her third sectional patch in the sport. She is one of the most decorated cross country runners in school history.

Erik Schwab, Andrew Greene, Ian Kepple, James Blake, and Charlotte Blake. 

The Village of Le Roy Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight has been rescheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Village Hall.

Press Release:

On December 1st QuestBridge announced the results of its 2021 National College Match, a national program that pairs high-achieving, low-income high school seniors with full scholarships to the nation’s top colleges. From a pool of over 16,500 applicants, from which QuestBridge chose 6,312 as finalists, QuestBridge's 45 college partners matched with 1,674 Finalists, who are recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients. This is the highest number of Match Scholarship Recipients to date for QuestBridge. We are ecstatic to announce that one of the 1,674 recipients was Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School's Emily Williams, who was awarded a full scholarship to Amherst College, one of the top liberal colleges in the country. Emily has accepted the offer and will attend majoring in Education Studies.

"Before I was introduced to QuestBridge, I wasn't even sure if college was a practical goal for me, but now it feels like all my hard work is finally paying off. I'm looking forward to getting the college experience without having to worry about the financial aspect." -Emily Williams, Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School Senior

"Emily has worked incredibly hard to put herself in the driver's seat to be selected for such a prestigious opportunity at one of the most selective schools in the entire country. She has demonstrated to our entire student body that if you take full advantage of every opportunity that is presented you can achieve great things. Emily has excelled in a variety of our advanced placement courses along with being a major contributor to our music program. I truly cannot think of a more deserving person to be chosen for the QuestBridge National College Match Program than Emily. She has made me along with our entire school community proud." -Austin Dwyer, Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School Counselor

"We are beyond proud for Emily to be awarded this incredible full scholarship to prestigious Amherst College. Emily's commitment to academic excellence coupled with a passion and immense talent in music and art has put her in a position to go toe to toe with top students in the country. Evidence of her success can be found all over our school from excelling in her AP courses to performing in our marching band and musical pit. Her top-notch character and work ethic go hand in hand with her compassion for others and kind heart. We are very excited for her and her family; this opportunity is truly life-changing, and we can't wait to see her soar in the next chapter of her life! I would like to thank QuestBridge for their commitment to college-bound students across the country." -Tim McArdle, Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School Principal

From QuestBridge:
Match Scholarship Recipients are admitted early to QuestBridge college partners with full four-year scholarships that are provided by the colleges and universities, ensuring for these students and their families that an education at a top college can be affordable. QuestBridge’s 45 college partners include top liberal arts colleges such as Amherst, Pomona, and Williams and exceptional research universities such as Duke, Princeton, Stanford, UChicago, and Yale. The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a generous financial aid package provided by the college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.
This year’s Match Scholarship Recipients come from 49 states, as well as the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

These outstanding high school seniors have an average unweighted GPA of 3.93, and 92% are in the top 10% of their graduating class. Financially, 95% come from a household with an annual income under $65,000, and 87% qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. The majority of these new QuestBridge Scholars — 81% — are among the first generation in their families to attend a four-year college in the United States.
Since 2003, the QuestBridge National College Match has successfully connected over 10,500 students with full scholarships at college partners. These 2021 Match Scholarship Recipients become the first QuestBridge Scholars for the Class of 2026. Based on previous years, it is estimated that approximately 2,000 Finalists will be admitted to QuestBridge college partners later in the year through Early and Regular Decision processes.
All Finalists who ulte thoughtful and broad-minded leaders, and we are honored and excited to help them pursue their dreams after college graduation.”
About QuestBridge:

QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading institutions of higher education and further life opportunities. By recruiting, developing, and motivating these students — beginning in high school through college to their early career — QuestBridge aims to help talented, low-income students attend the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their respective careers and communities.
https://www.questbridge.org/

One of the tricky issues for the Le Roy Central School District in navigating protocols during the age of COVID is that neighboring jurisdictions often have different requirements than present in Genesee County, Superintendent Merritt Holly informed the Board of Education on Tuesday.

For example, at the start of the new year, RIT will require every person who comes on campus for any event to show proof of vaccination.  That means every coach and athlete from Le Roy who participates in winter track and field will need to be vaccinated in order to compete in events at RIT, even though Le Roy doesn't have a vaccine requirement.

Any team that wins enough and reaches state championship athletic events will find every participant must be vaccinated to compete.

A memo Holly provided to school board members provides a timeline of shifting rules and guidance as knowledge of the pandemic has evolved and health leaders have sought to provide the best guidance as possible.

That has sometimes created confusion, Holly acknowledged. 

"One piece of thought, again, schools from county to county, interpretations of what this course is, this space, this contact tracing, so on so forth, can be different," Holly said. "Therefore, it can cause issues, equity issues, questions of why. But I think the bottom line is the data should then show are these measures working to keep us in school."

The briefing, Holly said, was to enable board members to get a complete picture of what is going on so they can come to the board's December meeting with any questions they might have at that point.

To read the full memo, click here (pdf).