A possible drowning was reported at a quarry in Le Roy -- at the junction of Gulf and Circular Hill roads. Then the dispatcher said the potential victim was "out of the water...possibly intoxicated...and climbing the hill." Le Roy fire and medics are responding.
Press release:
Jam At The Ridge: This week, Western New York's Family Fun Destination, is having a Fourth of July Weekend Celebration.
This 12th annual, open to the public event, is for all ages and looks keep folks safe while having fun.
Thursday, July 2nd
- Live Band: Judah, makes their Jam At The Ridge debut
- Pizza and Wings Special, with cold beer on-tap
Friday, July 3rd
- DJ Josh will rock the night away (no stage access, but there are 2 acres of space to socially distance while getting your groove on)
- Professional Fireworks thanks to Young Explosives
- Tie-dye and a Water War
Saturday, July 4th
- The Giant Slip and Slide
- and sign up for a night time glowing wagon ride (family groups together)
Jam At The Ridge is a recreation, entertainment, and camping facility focused primarily on family fun. Bring the kids and the grandparents and enjoy a great time, whatever we're doing. Have a great meal in our on-site restaurant (no microwaves), take a dip in our crystal clear in-ground swimming pool, catch a great concert with some of the best artists around (local, regional and national), and camp under the stars with a tent, RV, or one of our cabins.
Come join our family for some long overdue fun!
Greg, Dave and The JATR Team
Jam At The Ridge, 8101 Conlon Road, Le Roy
(585) 768-4883
info@theridgeny.com
www.JamAtTheRidge.com
The Virginia-based trucker whom Le Roy police encountered May 27, starting a perilous chase that eventually led to his death, was a credible threat to cops and civilians, Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty said yesterday in a press conference.
The bombs, guns and ammo Joshua Blessed had stored in his private vehicle and the bedroom he was renting in Rockingham County, Va., along with is social media posting, indicate Blessed was planning something big.
But it wasn't part of his plan in May, Dougherty said, to engage with law enforcement on that day.
"Our investigation shows that Blessed really was on the road to Batavia and what prompted this and triggered Blessed this day was the proactive traffic stop by the Le Roy Police Department," Dougherty said.
Blessed's white tractor-trailer, owned by Yurman Express, based in Harrisonburg, Va., was stopped by Le Roy PD officers in the Village of Le Roy for speeding on Main Street. The trailer was empty, which lends credence to the theory, Dougherty said, that Blessed really was driving to Batavia to pick up dairy product.
The search by the FBI of Blessed private vehicle in Virginia turned up three IEDs (improvised explosive devices), an AK-17, 9mm magazines, and $18,000 in cash.
A search of the bedroom he was renting -- Blessed, previously known as Sergia Journev, had apparently not been living with is family for at least 18 months -- found 11 IEDs, an AK-47 with a scope, a .50-caliber rifle, a .338 sniper rifle, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and $130,000 in cash.
Blessed had made several social media posts attacking law enforcement and promoting violence against police officers.
"The traffic stop set him off," Dougherty said. "That doesn't mean he didn't have a plan for the future. Based on what was recovered in the vehicle and in the bedroom, he certainly had a plan for the future. What that plan was, I don't have that information."
There is no indication that others were specifically involved in Blessed's planning, Dougherty said. That may be part of an ongoing FBI investigation.
"There are no details showing an immediate concern either here or there," Dougherty said.
Blessed died of a gunshot wound to the head. He also suffered three gunshots to his hip. Two deputies were firing long guns at Blessed at the time the shoot-out came to its fatal conclusion. The bullet that killed Blessed has not been recovered. Dougherty said he would not release the names of the deputies firing at Blessed at the time he was killed.
Blessed fired at least 24 rounds at cops. There were 24 shell casings recovered. His empty magazines indicate he fired at least 29 shots but that doesn't mean he hadn't discarded empty magazines somewhere along the way. A magazine for Blessed's 9mm Glock with seven rounds still in it was recovered, along a magazine containing 17 rounds (the capacity of the magazines Blessed was using).
Deputies from Livingston and Genesee counties returned fire at least 129 times in four different locations along the chase route, with 48 rounds fired at the final standoff location at Route 20a and Morgan View Road.
The incident started at 8:37 p.m. with the traffic stop in Le Roy and ended with Blessed death at 9:27 p.m. The chase went through Le Roy and Stafford before Blessed executed a U-turn and headed back toward Le Roy, going to Route 19 south into Wyoming County and then into Livingston County.
Dougherty said during the chase he remembered thinking that the driver was a danger to the public and to his officers but that he was also a highly skilled driver.
“This is a very unique situation," Dougherty said. "Somebody said to me, ‘that’s once in a career.’ This isn’t once in a career. You could serve multiple careers in law enforcement and never encounter a heavy vehicle, it’s pretty much impossible to stop unless you have a heavier vehicle and then add in an active shooter, a guy who is actively trying to kill cops. That’s something that is more Hollywoodesque than reality."
It was a miracle, with all the bullets flying around, the high-speed chase, Blessed's clear intention to harm other people, that nobody besides Blessed lost any blood.
"Not even a scratch," Dougherty said.
Photos: Livingston County Sheriff's Office.
Thanks to our news partner 13WHAM for video of the press conference.
Previously:
Genesee Community College named 63 Genesee County students to the President's List for the Spring 2020 semester. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
In total, there were 253 students named to the President's List from all seven campus locations in Batavia, Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw.
Online, Genesee Community College's Spring 2020 President's List (PDF) honorees are listed alphabetically by their hometowns.
The College also maintains a Provost's List to recognize part-time students with a quality point index of 3.75 or better and a dean's list comprised of students who earn a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74. These other GCC honorees are announced separately; see the College's website
Below are the 69 Genesee County students named to the President's List for the Spring 2020 semester:
Macie Riggs of Alexander
Jessica Scharlau of Alexander
Naomi LaDuke of Alexander
Jessica Lennon of Alexander
Jordin Cecere of Alexander
Logan Kellogg of Basom
Donovan Nephew of Basom
Megan Gilman of Basom
Stephanie Gilman of Basom
Megan Jacques of Batavia
Jocelyn Castaneda of Batavia
Monique McKenrick of Batavia
Kate Wasik of Batavia
Stacey Johnston of Batavia
Kristen Gloskowski of Batavia
Samuel Rigerman of Batavia
Gregory Metz of Batavia
Heather Demmer of Batavia
Steven Geyer of Batavia
Abigail Swinehart of Batavia
Meredith Cutro of Batavia
Bethany Ruffino of Batavia
Brandi-Lyn Heidenreich of Batavia
Nichole Ambrosoli of Batavia
Macy Midla of Batavia
Janelle DiMartino of Batavia
Trevor Zewan of Batavia
Mackenzie Pedersen of Batavia
Shane Cockle of Batavia
Jennifer Bartz of Batavia
Brittaney Lang of Batavia
Margaret Richardson of Batavia
Tara Clattenburg of Batavia
Cortney Dawson of Batavia
Alexis Balduf of Batavia
Tylin Torcello of Batavia
Anne Koestler of Batavia
Jessica Accardi of Batavia
Bailey Faucett of Batavia
Ryan Weaver of Batavia
Bailey Gavenda of Batavia
Danielle Joyce of Bergen
Marlaina Fee of Bergen
John Gabalski of Byron
MacKenzie Rosse of Byron
Julia Starczewski of Corfu
Mackenzie Jurek of Corfu
Nicholas Brown of Corfu
Carley Staebell of Corfu
Olivia Kohorst of Corfu
Katharine Smallwood of Corfu
Ryan Curtis of Corfu
Dustin Wheeler of Darien Center
Joshua Kramer of Darien Center
Haley Alvord of Darien Center
Caroline Pelton of East Bethany
Jessica Padilla of Elba
Emily Reynolds of Elba
Nicole Roth of Le Roy
Hanna Erion of Le Roy
Marshall Schultz of Le Roy
Brenda Turner of Le Roy
Morgan Ferrara of Le Roy
Kristin Griffin of Le Roy
Emma-Kate Uberty of Le Roy
Samantha Reinhardt of Oakfield
Annette Velletta of Oakfield
Jazmyn Dobson of Oakfield
Josilynn Russo of Pavilion
Genesee Community College serves more than 5,000 students with more than 65 academic programs and certificates. Among the many options are the Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, Computer Repair, and the newest Micro-Credential offerings in Human Resource Management, NYS Coaching and Professional Sales. GCC also offers a variety of Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and six different healthcare programs including the new Health Studies, A.S.
Each GCC student is assigned a success coach at the College's Student Success Center. The coach provides academic and career guidance from the first steps of the admissions process through to graduation or transferring credits to other institutions. The College's robust athletic program is housed in the state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena featuring a fieldhouse, fitness center, Human Performance Lab, press box, as well as coaches' offices and classrooms.
GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, a significant online program and student housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and innovative technology inside and out of the classroom, SUNY GCC is known for its quality education at an affordable price.
Video by Le Roy HS Principal Tim McArdle.
A two-vehicle accident is reported at 100 Main St., Le Roy, the Le Roy Service Center. The property-damage accident involved a pickup truck towing a camping trailer and a white SUV.
The drivers got into a verbal altercation and the pickup truck allegedly attempted to leave the scene, then when a Le Roy officer arrived and is out with the operators now.
No injuries reported.
UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: "Things have calmed down," reports the officer. "Minor MVA." He's leaving the scene and another officer is taking over to write the report.
Video by Le Roy High School Principal Tim McArdle.
Winchester, Va.-- Grant Hertzler is one of the 738 students who made the dean's list for the 2020 spring semester at Shenandoah University.
Students must attain a grade-point average of at least 3.50 to be recognized for the honor.
Hertzler, of Le Roy, is earning a degree in Exercise Science.
Shenandoah University was established in 1875, and is headquartered in Winchester, Va., with additional educational sites in Clarke, Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Shenandoah is a private, nationally recognized university that blends professional career experiences with liberal education. With nearly 4,000 students in more than 200+ areas of study in seven different schools, Shenandoah promotes a close-knit community rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge.
Shenandoah students collaborate with accomplished professors who provide focused, individual attention, all the while leading several programs to be highly nationally ranked. Through innovative partnerships and programs at both the local and global level, there are exceptional opportunities for students to learn in and out of the classroom. Shenandoah empowers its students to improve the human condition and to be principled professionals and leaders wherever they go. For more information, visit su.edu.
The following local residents made the dean's list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the 2020 Spring Semester.
Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for dean's list if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.
Marissa Dispenza, of Batavia, who is in the Chemical Engineering program.
Nicholas Kelly, of Byron, who is in the Software Engineering program.
Celia Mercovich, of Bergen, who is in the Physics program.
Cody Zajaczkowski, of Le Roy, who is in the Packaging Science program.
Erik Scharlau, of Alexander, who is in the Physician Assistant program.
Andrew Pickard, of Batavia, who is in the Software Engineering program.
Ava Vescovi, of Le Roy, who is in the Business Administration-Marketing program.
Bethany Zwolinski, of Corfu, who is in the Biomedical Sciences program.
Tyler Henry, of Bergen, who is in the Illustration program.
Taylor Schofield, of Pavilion, who is in the Biomedical Engineering program.
Lauren Burke, of Bergen, who is in the Biomedical Sciences program.
Maddi Howard, of Elba, who is in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
Jessie Abrams, of Corfu, who is in the Medical Illustration program.
Triton Adamski, of Corfu, who is in the Game Design and Development program.
Jacob Gualtieri, of Le Roy, who is in the Computer Engineering program.
Alex Warren, of Corfu, who is in the Computer Science program.
Grace Vogler, of Corfu, who is in the Business Administration-Management program.
Sarah Nati, of Corfu, who is in the Applied Arts and Sciences program.
Lily Mercovich, of Bergen, who is in the Film and Animation program.
Olivia Fox, of Alexander, who is in the Applied Arts and Sciences program.
Jordan D'Alba, of Oakfield, who is in the Mechanical Engineering program.
Melissa Mountain, of Batavia, who is in the Interior Design program.
Kiera Gross, of East Bethany, who is in the Computational Mathematics program.
Katelyn Hersee, of Batavia, who is in the business administration-accounting program.
Chase Roth, of Alexander, who is in the Mobile App Development program.
Charles Carroll, of Oakfield, who is in the Chemistry program.
Ethan Stone, of Batavia, who is in the Computer Engineering program.
Colin Hunt, of Batavia, who is in the Packaging Science program.
Allen Snyder, of Darien Center, who is in the Mechanical Engineering program.
Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.
The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.
Cazenovia College recognizes students for their academic achievement during the Spring 2020 semester. Those named to the dean's lst have achieved a 3.5 or better grade-point average.
Cazenovia College is an independent, co-educational college near Syracuse offering graduate and bachelor degree programs in the liberal arts and professional studies in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their fields.
Cazenovia has been named a "Best College" by U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years and has also been recognized by Money and Washington Monthly as a best value institution. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.
Troy, Ala. -- Taylor Kirby, of Le Roy, has been named to the Provost's List at Troy University for the Spring Semester/Term 4 of the 2019/2020 academic year.
The Provost's List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who have a grade-point average of at least 3.65.
About Troy University
Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.
A tree and wires are down in the roadway at Warsaw and Cole roads in Le Roy. Also, wires are arcing and sparking across the street from 6810 East Bethany - Le Roy Road in Le Roy.
Le Roy Fire Department is responding.
UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: A first responder at 6810 East Bethany - Le Roy Road reports the wires are no longer arcing and sparking. National Grid is contacted. The Le Roy fire assignment for this location is put back in service.
Meanwhile, at Warsaw (Route 19) and Cole roads, National Grid is called because a power line to a residence is across the roadway. Cable and phone lines are down as well and the service providers are contacted for repair. Southbound traffic is being shut down at Warsaw and Perry roads. Westbound traffic on Cole Road is shut down at Route 19.
Press release:
Rochester Regional Health is continuing to reopen clinics and resume outpatient services as part of a phased, coordinated plan that aligns with state and county health guidance.
On Monday, June 22, Rochester Regional Health will resume lab services at our Le Roy Medical Campus, located at 3 Tountas Ave., on a limited basis as follows:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Phone is (585) 768-6530.
The Le Roy Campus is also accepting Primary Care and Orthopedic patients.
Please know, as our facilities reopen, the health and safety of our patients and community are our top priorities.
We have diligently put new safety measures and processes in place to protect patients.
While care may look different, please rest assured that we are delivering the same high-quality care we always have.
To learn more about our Le Roy Medical Campus or the ways we are safely transforming healthcare delivery, please visit rochesterregional.org.
Canisius College in Buffalo congratulates more than 1,300 students who were named to the spring 2020 dean's list and Merit List.
Dean's list recognitions are awarded to those students who have attained a grade-point average of at least 3.50 for the semester and have completed at least four courses of three credits or equivalent.
Merit List recognitions are awarded to students who have attained a grade-point average of at least 3.25 for the semester and have completed two courses of three credit hours or the equivalent.
In Genesee County, those named to the dean's list and Merit List are:
Hannah Schaber, of Corfu -- Schaber is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2020 and pursuing a degree in Animal Behavior Ecology Conser.
Spencer Misiti, of Batavia -- Misiti is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Finance.
Bella March, of Batavia -- March is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Animal Behavior Ecology Conser.
Griffin Della Penna, of Batavia -- Della Penna is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Journalism.
Ava Horgan, of Le Roy -- Horgan is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.
David Doan, of Batavia -- Doan is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Finance.
Alexander Kunes, of Batavia -- Kunes is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2021 and pursuing a degree in Business Economics.
Jared Browne, of Darien Center -- Browne is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2020 and pursuing a degree in Political Science.
Harrison Dodson, of Bergen -- Dodson is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Pathfinders.
Christina Barraco, of Batavia -- Barraco is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2022 and pursuing a degree in Digital Media Arts.
Thomas Kubiniec, of Batavia -- Kubiniec is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2020 and pursuing a degree in Biology.
Mary Warner, of Le Roy -- Warner is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Mathematics.
Luca Zambito, of Elba -- Zambito is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2020 and pursuing a degree in Finance.
Zachary Brown, of Linwood -- Brown is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Pathfinders.
Jenna Whitmore, of Batavia -- Whitmore is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2022 and pursuing a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science.
Matthew Genaway, of Darien Center -- Genaway is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2021 and pursuing a degree in Accounting.
Alexis Hoerner, of Batavia -- Hoerner is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2021 and pursuing a degree in Communication Studies.
Calvin Herrick, of Le Roy -- Herrick is a member of the Canisius College Class of 2023 and pursuing a degree in Biology.
Le Roy's seniors were honored with a drive-thru event at the high school yesterday where they were applauded and received a cap and gown, yearbook, locker items, T-shirts, other goodies, and a BBQ lunch.
Video by Principal Tim McArdle.
Submitted photo and press release:
Canisius College President John J. Hurley appointed Le Roy resident Danielle D. Ianni, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management, effective May 15. Ianni reports directly to President Hurley and is a member of the college’s senior leadership team.
As vice president for enrollment management, Ianni leads undergraduate and graduate student recruitment, marketing and student financial aid. She is responsible for employing best practices so as to enroll diverse classes of first-year, transfer and graduate students, and enhancing student retention while maintaining the academic profile of the college.
Ianni comes to Canisius from the State University of New York at Buffalo where she served as director of enrollment operations since 2016. In this role, Ianni was responsible for enrollment operations at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She assisted with short- and long-term strategic planning and initiatives to meet enrollment goals, and developed and oversaw enrollment forecasting, predictive modeling and analysis of applicant and student data.
Ianni earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from Hartwick College in Oneonta. She holds master and doctoral degrees in higher education administration, both from the University of Rochester’s Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education, where Ianni also worked as assistant director of admissions and head coach for the men’s and women’s swim team.
Ianni’s academic research has focused on the subjects of institutional financial aid, bridging the gap between traditional and nontraditional students, the hidden cost of school security and student perceptions of Facebook. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals, the Association for the Study of Higher Education, the American Educational Research Association and the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education.
One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Visit www.canisius.edu/150 for more information about Canisius’ milestones and celebratory events.
Yesterday evening, we visited Le Roy to check in on three restaurants that are now serving dine-in customers as part of the Phase Three reopening.
CORRECTION: I forgot to include the lower thirds in the video identifying the speakers. They are in order of appearance, Monique Mottler, a server and front-of-house supervisor at Farmer's Creekside Inn; Sean Valdes, co-owner, D&R Depot; Racheal Olear, general operations supervisor, Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew. My apologies to all.
Mary Powell, circa 1870s, taken at A.K. Drury Studio, Le Roy, NY.
Reader Shelley Cardiel contacted us this afternoon and sent along this photo, saying:
"I’ve 'rescued' an old photograph of Mary POWELL, which was taken at the A. K. Drury Studio in LeRoy, NY. The photograph appears to have been taken in the 1870’s with Mary appearing to be in her teens at the time it was taken.
"I’m hoping to locate someone from Mary’s family so that this photograph can be returned to the care of family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me."
Email: cardiels@comcast.net
POTSDAM -- The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 1,114 students to the President's List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Spring 2020 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by President Kristin G. Esterberg.
The students included three from Genesee County:
To achieve the honor of being on the President's List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically graded semester hours, with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence.
The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu
Le Roy graduate Kathleen Dessert received a John Mikalski Scholarship from the Genesee Wyoming Music Educators Association in 2018. She is currently studying Music Education at SUNY Fredonia. She is a vocal major, a soprano who also plays piano, flute, guitar and ukulele.
While at Le Roy, her favorite music experience was performing as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid." So far while at Fredonia her favorite musical experience was performing Verdi's "Requiem" under the direction of David Rudge, Ph.D.
Dessert is looking forward to singing with the Fredonia Choirs at a celebration for Stacey Gibbs' 100th composition in Washington, D.C., in the spring of 2021.
Her favorite performance venue is when she performed with the 2017 NYSSMA Conference All State Treble Choir in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. One of her favorite pieces they performed that night was Holst's "Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda."
Her main role models have always been her teachers. The most influential being Patricia Corron, Ph.D, and Jacqueline McLean.
She would love to teach elementary general music while also keeping herself involved in choirs and musical theater.
She recently put together a Virtual Ensemble for the Fredonia chapter of the National Association for Music Education! It was a lot of fun, and she is hoping to do more in the future that will involve chapters from all around the state.
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