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Le Roy

Four-car MVA reported on Thruway in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A four-car accident is reported in the eastbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 279.

Unknown injuries.

Le Roy fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:16 a.m.: One patient with a possible leg and head injury and another with "overall soreness."

UPDATE 10:17 a.m.: A chief on scene reports only two vehicles involved. One is blocking a driving lane.

Barn fire reported on Gully Road

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor may have caught on fire between two barns, causing a barn fire at 8427 Gully Road, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire responding.

Pavilion and Stafford also dispatched. The city's Fast Team also dispatched.

UPDATE 9:34 p.m.: Units are being put back in service.

Truck driver exposed to hazardous material in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A truck driver was exposed to hazardous material at 127 W. Main St. in Le Roy. The county Hazmat Team and Le Roy fire are responding.

UPDATE 11:35 a.m.: The driver of a fuel tanker was exposed to pesticides.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: First responders were dispatched to a call for a person with trouble breathing, who had been exposed to some sort of hazardous material. It was later determined that the driver was unwittingly indirectly exposed to an herbicide known as "Razor Pearl" at a company's "Pearl Creek yard" in Pavilion. He subsequently was driving on West Main Street in Le Roy, stopped at Dunkin' Donuts and became ill and had trouble breathing, according to Le Roy First Assistant Fire Chief Tom Woods. The man then went into a nearby medical clinic thinking it was an urgent care facility. The staff provided immediate first aid to treat his symptoms, decontaminate him, and prevent exposure to others. "These people reacted to it," said Jerry Diskin, a coordinator with Genesee County Emergency Services. "They really are not set up for all this, but they did find a place to have his clothes removed, get him decontaminated -- soap and water." Diskin added "There's nothing they wouldn't do" to help and within minutes of being asked, were able to provide responders with a Material Safety Data Sheet about the herbicide. Dr. Kellyrose Nichols recommended that the victim be evaluated and he was transported via ambulance to UMMC. There he will be more thoroughly decontaminated. 

Genesee Community College names 314 students to Spring 2016 dean’s list

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College, including all seven campus locations in Batavia, Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw, proudly announces the following are among 314 full- and part-time students who were named to the dean's list for the Spring 2016 semester. Students honored on the dean's list have earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

This year's Genesee Community College Spring 2016 dean's list honorees, with their hometowns, are:

Heather Bombard, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Heather Volpe, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Amber Hutchings, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Jessica Caryl, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Jennifer Piazza, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Matthew Bridger, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

McKenna Ford, a resident of Alexander, NY 14005

Andrea Pugliese, a resident of Darien Center, NY 14040

Branden Riggs, a resident of Alexander, NY 14005

Richard Gutowski, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Alyssa Baiocco, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Chelsea Bishop, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Matthew Dobbertin, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Christen Ferraro, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Emma Francis, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Zachary Hoy, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Nathaniel Kabel, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

John LaFarnara, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Tayler Mitchell, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Carly Scott, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Natalie Sharpe, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Valerie Stephens, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Brandon Corcoran, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Rachel Cosimeno, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Courtney Fisher, a resident of Batavia, NY 14021

Kristy Gallo, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Bailey Paserk, a resident of Batavia, NY 14021

Katelyn Richenberg, a resident of Stafford, NY 14143

Maria Ross, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Julie Cultrara, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Alison Diskin, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Emily Reese, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Philip Vigneri, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Kyle Dougherty, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Abigail Noeth, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Kyley Pascarella, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Lauren Hughes, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Sheena Mest, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Nathan Reiner, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Sierra Bosdyk, a resident of Pavilion, NY 14525

Dawn Wylie, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Zachary Franclemont, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Zoey Ransom, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Adam Sewar, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Carley Sformo, a resident of Corfu, NY 14036

Kodian Becker, a resident of Darien Center, NY 14040

Sarah Wolcott, a resident of Byron, NY 14422

Evan Cole, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Melissa Engle, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Scott Ligon, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

Patrick Delude, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Michele Mandel, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

Wade Webster, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Samuel Freeman, a resident of Darien Center, NY 14040

Jessica Bonin, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

James Hamler, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Brooke Ortiz, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Alex Brownlie, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

Kasey Edgerton, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Aspen Moyer, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Mia Velletta, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Michelle Rushok, a resident of Batavia, NY 14020

Todd Schrauger Jr, a resident of Oakfield, NY 14125

Veronica Rizzo, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Gina Johnson, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Stephen Coast, a resident of Basom, NY 14013

Laurie Yaskulski, a resident of Le Roy, NY 14482

Sarah Corcimiglia, a resident of Bergen, NY 14416

Elisabeth Haas, a resident of Elba, NY 14058

The College also maintains President's and Provost's Lists comprised of students who earned quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better. These other GCC honorees are announced separately. Go to the College's website at www.genesee.edu.

Genesee Community College offers over 65 academic programs and certificates, including the new Nanotechnology AAS, which studies on a microscopic scale and atomic level leading to jobs in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and also careers in burgeoning photovoltaics.

Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as through its online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes, yet state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high-tech" and "high-touch." The 2016 semester begins Aug. 22.

For further information about all of GCC's opportunities, go to www.genesee.edu.

Nine local students honored for dean's list achievement at Daemen College

By Billie Owens

Daemen College Dean Michael Brogan, Ed.D., announces the following students achieved dean's list status at Daemen College for the Spring 2015 semester.

* Sarah Loranty, of Alexander
* Nicole Fore, of Batavia 
* Erik Moscicki, of Batavia
* Patrick Wrobel, of Batavia
* Adam Siedlecki, of Batavia
* Katrina Stork, of Batavia 
* Emily Graham, of Le Roy 
* Allison Bartholomew, of Oakfield
* Morgan Zakes, of Oakfield

A matriculated undergraduate student who attains a grade-point average of 3.30 or better in any one semester is eligible for dean's list status.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Le Roy is sponsoring a Photo Contest, open to all ages

By Billie Owens

Press release:

In celebration of its 200th anniversary next year, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1 E. Main St., Le Roy, is sponsoring a Photo Contest open to all ages.

Considered the most photographed building in Genesee County, St. Mark’s has a beautiful natural setting above Oatka Creek with architecture in the English Gothic style.

The sanctuary of St. Mark’s Church will be open to photographers for interior photos from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and again from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, during Le Roy’s Oatka Festival.

The sanctuary will again be open to photographers from 1 to 3 p.m. on on Saturday, Dec. 17, when the church will be decorated for Christmas.

Photographers may enter up to two photos of the interior or exterior of the church. Photos may be black and white or color, may be digitally enhanced and must be received in an 11 x 14” frame, ready to hang. The photographer’s name must only appear on the back of the frame.

Photo entries will be received at 58 on Main, Le Roy, from Jan. 2 through Jan. 7.

A wine and cheese reception will open the show of photographs at 58 on Main at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31. Photographs will be on display at 58 on Main until Saturday, Feb. 4, and then will move to the Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy from Feb. 6th through March 31st. At both locations, people will have a chance to vote on their favorite photograph.

The show of photographs will be on display in St. Mark’s during the month of April.

Prizes will be awarded in two categories. The Judges’ Prize will be selected by a panel of three judges, and a winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Rowe Photo and a 16 x 20” custom print by 58 on Main. The Peoples’ Choice Award will be chosen by ballots available at 58 on Main and the Woodward Memorial Library, and the winning photo will be used on commemorative ornaments to be sold by St. Mark’s during the anniversary year. The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to D&R Depot restaurant along with three ornaments.

Complete contest rules will be posted on St. Mark’s website at www.stmarks-leroy.org

Information and complete details about the contest will be available at www.stmarks-leroy.org, at the Oatka Festival, and in the church.

Sponsored Post: The Le Roy Regatta is July 17th. Register today!

By Lisa Ace

The 2016 Oatka Festival Regatta Information is Sunday, July 17th, at 2 p.m. at the Oatka Creek Bank on Wolcott Street in Le Roy. For registration: You may bring your boat the day of the event. Registration/check in table will open at 12:30 p.m. on the creek bank. Cost: $15 per person. Please make checks payable to Oatka Festival and mail to: Sam Vagg, 72 North St., Le Roy, NY 14482. The deadline to register is July 8th.

Please mail payment, the completed team registration form, the 2016 Oatka Festival regatta application, statement of physical condition, and waiver & release of liability form for EACH MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM. All documents are available for download at: http://www.oatkafestival.org/. Please register your team together.

Please contact Sam Vagg at svagg@bhcg.com with any questions. The Regatta Steering Committee reserves the right to close registration due to volume of registrants.

Possible house fire reported on Lake Road in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A possible house fire is reported at 7785 Lake Road in Le Roy. The caller reports there was a small fire outside, on the side of the house, that is believed to be now out, but there is still visible smoke. Le Roy Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Bergen fire.

UPDATE 7:42 p.m.: Chief on scene confirms fire inside the structure. Pavilion and Churchville fire departments are called to assist.

UPDATE 7:58 p.m.: Le Roy Engine #66 is returning to service.

Teen daughter of Le Roy firefighter saves boy from drowning in pool at Frost Ridge

By Howard B. Owens

When 16-year-old Sterling Green saw a little boy at the bottom of the pool at Frost Ridge Campground this afternoon, and she saw bubbles gurgling from his mouth, she thought to herself, "I think he's drowning."

The daughter of one of Le Roy's volunteer firefighters, Green did what came natural to her. She jumped in the water to rescue the child.

Her father, Michael Green, was at her side when they got the boy to the pool's edge. The boy's mother came running up, asking, "Is that my boy?" Somebody told her it was. 

The mother tried performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation her her six-year-old son, but Green told her, "let him try to breathe on his own."

They turned the boy on his side.

"He was really blue, then he starting coughing and crying after he vomited," Micheal Green said. "He started talking to us and the paramedics showed up and took care of him, and he seemed good when he was on his way to the hospital."

He was carried by his mother from the pool to the waiting Mercy EMS ambulance and transported to UMMC Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation.  

Sterling said she was sitting poolside and talking with her mother, her aunt and her sister when one of them spotted the boy at the bottom of the pool and pointed out that he didn't appear to be coming up. 

They don't know how long the boy was under water.

Green said he couldn't be prouder of his daughter.

"I’m a firefighter and she’s just following the footsteps," he said.

Possible drowning reported at pool on Conlon Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A possible drowning is reported in a pool on Conlon Road in Le Roy. Le Roy fire and ambulance service are responding.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Quick thinking and swift action by a 16-year-old daughter of a local firefighter saved the life a 6-year-old boy who was swimming in the pool at Frost Ridge Campground about 30 minutes ago. She said she noticed the boy in the pool was not coming to the surface, so she dove in, and pulled him out. He soon began breathing. He is being taken by ambulance to UMMC for evaluation. The campground is located at 8101 Conlon Road in the Town of Le Roy.

Law and Order: Three people arrested after allegedly trespassing on private property on Lake Street Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Brendan Gregory Klish, 20, of Big Tree Street, Livonia, is charged with trespassing. He was arrested at 8:43 p.m. on June 23 for allegedly being located on posted private property on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Le Roy Court on July 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Nora Jane Barnhart, 18, of Rochester Road, Lakeville, is charged with trespassing. She was arrested at 8:43 p.m. on June 23 for allegedly being located on posted private property on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Le Roy Court on July 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

A 17-year-old of Rochester Road in Lakeville is charged with trespassing. The youth was arrested at 8:43 p.m. on June 23 for allegedly being located on posted private property on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Le Roy Court on July 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Zachary David Lloyd Duigan, 21, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia is charged with petit larceny. Following the investigation of a shoplifting complaint on June 20, Duigan was arrested for allegedly stealing a flat-screen TV from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive. He was released with an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on July 11. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

James Michael Dixon, 25, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Following the investigation of a shoplifting complaint at 8:22 p.m. on June 22, Dixon was arrested for allegedly stealing from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive. He was released with an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on July 11. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Holistic Hub opens in Le Roy

By Raymond Coniglio

Jessica Held, left, and Tracy Martorana are the owners of Holistic Hub, whcih offers a variety of wellness programs at 58 Main St. in Le Roy.

One chance meeting — and many shared interests — revealed a new path for two area women.

It led to the Holistic Hub, which is now open at 58 Main St. in Le Roy. 

On Wednesday, Tracy Martorana and Jessica “Jessie” Held hosted a Meet and Greet at the business, which offers a variety of services including meditation, yoga, holistic wellness and creativity workshops, and more.

Martorana is a nutrition and wellness consultant. Held is a yoga instructor with an interest in the arts.

They met this past winter during a wellness fair in Bergen. They discovered not only shared interests, but that both happen to live in Le Roy.

Held followed up with an email, suggesting they explore starting a local wellness center.

“So we got together and talked it through and realized we both really do like the same things,” Martorana said. “And we had the same vision of what we’d like to offer the community.”

“We both have different niches,” Held added. “I’m more artistic and creative, where she’s more into health and nutrition and meditation, which really goes nicely together.”

Martorana is the co-owner of Holistic Wellness, which is based in the home she shares with her husband Andrew. She is also an herbalist, meditation instructor and leads workshops on a variety of wellness topics.

Held and her husband, Mark, moved to Le Roy from Scottsville in 2014. (They’re expecting their first child in October.) A trained yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner, she also offers artistic and inspirational workshops.

Their business partnership became official in January. They settled on a location more quickly than they expected.

Held had been teaching yoga at 58 on Main, which was the home of Baristas coffee shop as well as Jim DeLooze’s photography studio and gallery.

After Baristas closed in May, DeLooze asked Martorana and Held if they’d be interested in the location. Now, Holistic Hub shares the space with 58 on Main Photography.

Holistic Hub is described as “a place to better ourselves and our community.” That mission is reflected in the circular “hub” logo designed by Held, in which stylized arrows aim both toward and away from the center.

“We explain the arrows going in, as working on ourselves,” Held explained. “But this is also a place to better the community, which is the arrows going out.”

For more information about Holistic Hub, visit www.holistichubleroy.com; email holistichubleroy@gmail.com; or find Holistic Hub Le Roy NY on Facebook.

Law and Order: South Main Street woman arrested after allegedly striking another female in the face

By Billie Owens

Tera M. Williams, 43, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested at 8:32 p.m. on June 17 following an altercation on South Main Street in which she allegedly struck another female in the face. Williams was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on June 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Clay Austin Fisher, 18, of Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with attempted assault in the second degree. At 11:10 a.m. on June 21, the defendant was arrested after allegedly attempting to strike the victim with a dangerous instrument during a domestic dispute. He was arraigned in Pavilion Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due in Pavilion Town Court on July 5. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Robert Henning, assisted by Deputy Bradley Mazur.

Christina M. Strang, 41, was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated and operator leaving the scene of a property damage accident after she allegedly hit a parked car on Garibaldi Avenue in Oakfield, moving it approximately 15 feet from its location. Strang failed the SFSTs administered to her after Troopers detected the odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from her. Strang was transported to SP Batavia where she registered a .19 percent BAC, over twice the legal limit. Strang is scheduled to appear in the Town of Oakfield Court on June 27.

Christopher W. Muhs, 20, was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated, speeding and failing to notify of address change after he was stopped on State Route 19 in the Town of Pavilion. Troopers detected the odor of alcohol emitting from his breath. Muhs failed the SFSTs and was placed under arrest. He was transported to SP Batavia where he registered a BAC of .32 percent, four times the legal limit. Muhs was issued an appearance ticket and uniform traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Pavilion Court on June 28.

Jennifer R. Murray, of 2178 W. Henrietta Road, Rochester, was cited for following too closely following a rear-end accident at 7:21 a.m. today at 7988 Route 19 in Le Roy. According to the police accident report, a 2008 Honda pickup truck was stopped on Route 19 in order to make a left turn onto North Road, when another vehicle that was directly behind it, went around the pickup on the west shoulder. Murray, who was southbound in a 2002 Subaru, did not see the stopped vehicle in time and rear-ended it, according to a witness. The accident report was made by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.

Seven local students make the spring dean's list at Buffalo State

By Billie Owens

Students who have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher qualify for the dean's list at Buffalo State. We are pleased to recognize the following students who attained this honor in the Spring 2016 semester.

Raelynn Moskal, of Alexander

Mary Boerschlein, of Batavia 

Jessica Molins, of Batavia

Melanie Case, of Batavia 

Timothy German, of Batavia 

Joseph Babcock, of Corfu 

Jessica Page, of Le Roy 

Buffalo State offers more than 160 undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences, professions, and education. Each year, more than 10,000 students choose Buffalo State for its broad range of academic programs, applied learning opportunities, affordable tuition, and its location in the heart of Buffalo's cultural corridor.

Ginger is lost in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Jay is missing Ginger in the Village of Le Roy. Jay is offering a reward for Ginger's safe return. Ginger was last seen on Saturday. If you find Ginger, call Jay at (585) 820-7818.

Accident in Le Roy with injuries, entrapment, blocking traffic on Lake Street Road

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in Le Roy at 7988 Lake Street Road, near North Road. There is entrapment and the accident is blocking both lanes of travel. One patient is said to have leg injuries but is conscious. Le Roy fire and ambulance service are responding.

UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: A first responder on scene reports a patient complains of ankle pain. "There's quite a bit of traffic." Fire police are requested to the scene for traffic control.

UPDATE 7:41 a.m.: The entrapped patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 7:49 a.m.: A patient is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: One lane is open now and the other will be soon.

Le Roy Oatkan Knights announce 2016 Sports Hall of Fame inductees

By Billie Owens
The Le Roy Oatkan Knights Sports Hall of Fame, Inc., announces the 2016 Class of Inductees.  
 
The ceremony is on Friday morning, July 15th, at the Le Roy High School Auditorium. It is free and open to the public. Casual attire. Doors open at 9 with light refreshments served. The Ceremony begins at 10 a.m.
 
Live music will be provided by the Le Roy Town Band, under the director of Maria Neale. Among the tunes to be performed are: "The Le Roy Alma Mater," "Star-spangled Banner," and "On LeRoyans."
 
For more information, visit www.leroyhalloffame.com   or stop by the village and town hall.
 
Donations are greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible.
 
Le Roy Oatkan Knights Sports Hall of Fame, Inc., 2016 Inductees:
 
Joseph Crnkovich                  ‘48
1966 Baseball Team               ‘66
Amy Lapp                                ‘93
Joseph Condidorio Sr.           ‘53
Wayne Alexander                   ‘73
1995 Football Team                ‘95
Betsy Lapp                             ‘98
John Eppolito                         ‘54
Jon Gerlach                            Coach/Teacher
Robert Woodruff                    ‘59

Car hits Burger King in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car has driven into the building at Burger King on East Main Street, Le Roy.

No injuries reported.

Le Roy fire responding.

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: The vehicle has been removed. The fire department will attempt to get the doors reopened.

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