Le Roy

With a new head coach, the Le Roy boys basketball team is being put through its paces.

At a practice Thursday night, there was no slowing down, no waltzing through zone defenses, no stepping through an offensive playbook. The boys ran, they jumped, they weaved and they passed and they shot.

The fast-paced practice is designed to help prepare the team for what Rick Rapone hopes will be a quick-break offensive style during the regular season.

"We're going to try," Rapone said.

Rapid transitions, Rapone believes, equals more scoring opportunities.

"The faster you get down the court, the easier a shot you get, the percentages are you should make it," Rapone said.

He'll have to find out if his team can handle the fast pace in real time under game pressure.

He's certainly gotten the boys' attention. The players went through the practice with game faces on, not missing a beat.

"You've seen for yourself, they're hard workers," Rapone said. "They've responded well to all the new things we're trying to do. Even though we had a little bit of a short time frame because football was so successful this season, we're catching up pretty well. It's a great group of kids."

The boys should listen. Rapone has the coaching pedigree to command attention.

He's the brother of Notre Dame's Mike Rapone, and while Rick is 606 wins short of his brother's legendary accomplishments as a varsity coach, Rick was one of Mike's assistants in the 1980s.

This, however, is his first head coaching job.

"I've always wanted to coach basketball and the opportunity came up and I took a shot and was fortunate enough to get it," said Rapone, a Le Roy resident.

While Rapone is waiting to see how his team responds in game situations, he thinks he's got the athletes ready to have an impact in the Livingston County League.

There's Zach Moore and Steve Cappotelli. Cappotelli he said missed last season because of an injury but will provide a key leadership role on the team.

Kody Lamkin gives the Knights a big man under the boards who will surprise people with his athleticism.

"People are going to see how fast he is for such a big guy, and he has a great shooting touch for a big fellow," Rapone said.

Sophomores Nick Egling and Ethan Witkowski are also expected to be contributors this season.

"The key to the whole thing, though, is our point guard, Mike McMullen," Rapone said. "He's very smart. He's very tuned in to what we're trying to do."

With Notre Dame in the Genesee Region and Le Roy playing in Livington County, and Le Roy in Class B and Notre Dame in Class D, there's no chance -- at least this season -- that the Rapone brothers will see their teams meet in competition.

That may make it a little easier for Mike to share some of his ideas with Rick, which Rick said Mike is very willing to do.

"I'd be a fool not to have learned by watching him coach and win his 600 games," Rick Rapone said. "A lot of the successful things he does, I can guarantee you, that we're going to try our best to pick up on. He's a great man and obviously a very successful basketball guy. I'd be a fool not to get as much information as he's willing to share, and he's willing to share a lot."

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

The Moose Lodge in Le Roy honored local veterans Saturday night with a prime rib dinner.

Besides the volunteers (pictured below) who helped put it together and run it, the event was supported by Smokin' Eagle, T.F. Brown's, Le Roy Country Club, BW's, 58 Main and Red Osier. Volunteers included Justin Mattice, Bob Sovocoll, Judy Mills, Shane Burger and the staff at the Smokin' Eagle.

Photos by Shane Burger.

Where the Wiss Hotel once stood this holiday season will stand a huge amount of Christmas cheer thanks to Andrew Lathan, owner of Lathan Tree Service, and his family.

The Lathans are donating a 30-foot tall artificial Christmas tree to the community.

Businesses and families are asked to provide ornaments to the tree. The ornament should have a name or business logo on it.

Ornaments can be dropped off at Town Hall by the end of November.

Ornaments should be at least 6-inches tall. 

"This is a very large tree," the Lathans note. It will be as tall as the existing buildings on the west end of Main Street.

The tree will be lit Dec. 7 as part of the community's holiday celebration.

Pictured are Jack, Jay, Aubrey and Carrie Lathan with the unassembled tree.

A car fire is reported on the eastbound Route 90 at mile marker 379. Le Roy fire and medics are responding. State Troopers are on scene. Several people were seen running away from the vehicle. Responders are told to stage at the toll booth.

A Monroe County resident who was tied to a burglary at the former Jell-O Factory in Le Roy by DNA evidence, entered a guilty plea this morning in County Court to one count of fourth-degree grand larceny.

James M. Kavanagh is being released under supervision of Genesee Justice pending his sentencing Feb. 4.

He was arrested in September by Le Roy PD for the burglary in April 2012.

Also arrested was Kristen Brightenfield. Her case is still pending.

John O'Shea was arrested for the burglary shortly after it occurred and is currently serving a sentence in State Prison. Brightenfield and Kavanagh were accused of being accomplices.

In court this morning, Kavanagh's attorney said he has a fiance who is due to give birth and Kavanagh, who was being held in the Genesee County Jail until today, said he has a job waiting for him in Chili supervising a gas station at night.

Judge Robert C. Noonan placed a curfew on Kavanagh as a term of his release under supervision, but carved out exceptions for him to work and to be present at the birth of his child.

He's also on probation in Monroe County.

At sentencing, Kavanaugh could be facing the potential of a longer prison term because of a prior felony conviction in Ontario County for forgery.

Previously: Law and Order: DNA allegedly links two people to 2012 burglary in Le Roy

I couldn't make it to the marker dedication for the East Boundary of the Holland Land Purchase at Four Corners in Stafford on Friday. Sue Conklin sent along this photo and the press release below.

On Friday, November 8th 2013 a historical marker commemorating the Eastern Boundary of the Holland Land Purchase was dedicated in Stafford at the intersection of routes 5 and 237. More than 20 people attended the dedication ceremony, which included a brief reading of the history of the survey and a gun salute provided by the War of 1812 militia. 

Following the dedication the Stafford Historical Society served cider and donuts and several people toured their award-winning museum.

Prior to the dedication a survey using original links and transit was conducted by:

• Rochelle Stein, Genesee County legislator for District No. 5
• Lynne Belluscio, Le Roy House director and LeRoy Village historian
• Susan Conklin, Genesee County historian
• Phyllis Darling, Stafford Historical representative
• Jeffery Donahue, Holland Land Office Museum director

This survey revealed the location of the marker and the actual boundary line is over by 83 links. Had the marker been installed in the actual location, it would be in the center of the intersection of Route 237, something the Department of Transportation would have forbidden. The Town of Stafford graciously provided the Genesee County History Department with an alternative spot.

Welcoming Remarks / Mary Pat Hancock Genesee County Legislator:

"Genesee County included not only the Holland Land Purchase, but many other smaller land tracts. The County had six land companies with the Holland Land Purchase being the largest. It included two-thirds of the county lands and was located west of the Transit Line.  The other smaller companies were located east of the Transit Line and include one third of the county lands. The other land tract companies were the Connecticut, Triangle, Phelps & Gorham, Craigie and the 40,000 Acre.  

"When the Holland Purchase was made, the land was in Ontario County, with the county seat in Canandaigua. On March 30, 1802, Genesee County was formed with the county seat in Batavia. As populations grew, eight other Western New York counties were carved from the original Genesee County.

"The eastern boundary of the 3.3-million acre Holland Land Purchase bisects the old State Road, now known as Route 5, in the Town of Stafford. This boundary runs from the State of Pennsylvania north to Lake Ontario. The Holland Land Purchase extends west from this line to Lake Erie and the Niagara River.

"Today we honor the Holland Land Purchase and commemorate their Eastern Boundary."

A one-vote margin was all the difference needed to elect Michael Welsh town justice in Le Roy.

He beat Scott McCumskey 817-816, according to the Genesee County Elections Commission, which completed counting absentee ballots from last week's election.

In the other closely watched and tight race, incumbent Ed DeJanerio held onto his 21-vote margin over challenger Bob Bialkowski for a 405-372 victory.

Kenneth S. Lathrop Jr., 27, of 428 Garden City Drive, Syracuse, was arrested on a bench warrant. Lathrop was delivered to Batavia PD headquarters by a bail bondsman. Lathrop was arraigned in City Court and jailed on $5,000 bail or bond.

Steven E. Palmer, 28,of 361 Center St., Caledonia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and disobeyng traffic control device. Palmer was stopped by Le Roy PD on Friday. He was jailed on $1,500 bail.

LaShana Tonika Jones, 39, of Audubon Parkway, Syracuse, is charged with petit larceny. Jones is accused of shoplifting $119.84 in merchandise from Walmart.

Jeffrey Keith Wahr, 45, of Crittenden Road, Alden, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Wahr was stopped at 1:36 a.m. Sunday on Sumner Road, Darien, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Arthur Mack Osborne, 47, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Osborne is accused of pulling another person to the floor by the person's hair and then hitting and kicking that person. A child was allegedly in the room. Osborne was jailed on $500 bail.

Zachary J. Ayres, 19, of 544 Bankside Drive, Hamlin, is accused of failure to appear on charges of petit larceny. Ayres was arrested by Officer Jason Ivison on the warrant, arraigned and jailed on $500 bail or $1,000 bond. Ayres was also charged with obstructing governmental information for allegedly providing a false name and information when previously arrested.

Katherine M. Luderman, 34, of 336 Ellicott St., lower, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for disorderly conduct. Luderman was released after paying the remaining $50 of a fine.

A 17-year-old Hutchins Street resident is charged with falsely reporting to law enforcement an incident. The youth allegedly filed a false report of a residential burglary.

Kyle W. Nash, 26, of 219 N. Spruce Street, #76, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. No details released.

Andrew J. Duckworth, 34, of 128 Jackson St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal mischief. Duckworth was arrested following an alleged domestic incident. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Daniel T. Henning, 33, of 120 S. Swan St., upper, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Henning is accused of shoplifting from Tops. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Tammy L. Schenck, 37, 20 N. Spruce St., A12, Batavia, is charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old and harassment, 2nd. No details released.

Eric R. Kelm, 32, of 25 Union Square, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to use headlights with windshield wipers. Kelm was stopped at 2:32 a.m. Saturday on Summit Street, Batavia, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Trisha Riggi sent in this picture of Le Roy elementary school students who lined Wolcott Street in Le Roy to give the Oatkan-Knights a hometown send off for their big game in Rochester.

The Knights lost to Wayland Cohocton, but the whole community is proud of what they accomplished in 2013.

Le Roy’s football team came up just short as they fell in overtime to Wayland-Cohocton in the Class C championship, 14 to 8.

Head Coach Brian Moran was in search of his 14th sectional championship in 25 years, and a Section V record, 15th in school history, but it was not to be for the Oatkan Knights.

“They really worked hard and both teams were well prepared,” Moran said. “That led to a defensive struggle all day.”

The game was the definition of a defensive struggle for the majority of the game, as the game headed into the fourth quarter with a scoreless tie.

Class C Offensive Player of the Year Devon Harris entered the game averaging over 170 rushing yards per game and yet to be held under 100 all season long for Wayland-Cohocton. However, the Oatkan Knights managed to bottle him up for most of the game, holding him to 98 yards on 18 carries.

“I thought we played very well defensively against a young man who is an extremely talented athlete,” Moran said. “I thought we shut him down pretty well, but we just didn’t make plays when we needed to.”

The Eagles struck first, as quarterback C.J. Ellis found tight end Darren Becker for a 40-yard gain down to the Le Roy 15-yard line. Two plays later, Ellis found Reece Chapman for a 13-yard score. Harris would punch in the two-point conversion to give Way-Co the lead two minutes into the fourth quarter.

Le Roy wouldn’t need long to respond, as quarterback Mike McMullen found Ryan McQuillen two plays later, and he sprinted 70 yards down the sideline to put the Knights on the scoreboard. McMullen then found Nick Egeling for the two-point conversion to knot the game at eight apiece with nine minutes to play.

The Eagles appeared to be driving again, but Egeling managed to step in front of an Ellis pass to halt the drive at Le Roy’s 30-yard line.

After failing to move the ball, Way-Co drove the ball again deep into Le Roy territory, but it was the Knights’ defense who came up big again, stopping the Eagles inches short of a first down late in the ball game.

Le Roy took possession and marched onto Wayland-Cohocton’s side of the 50-yard line, but a rare Knight turnover halted a chance at a go-ahead score as McMullen and running back Peter Privitera were unable to complete at handoff late in the game.

“It happens, it's high school football,” Moran said. “It's 16-, 17-, 18-year-old kids, and you can’t worry about it. You just have to pick yourself up and keep playing.”

The Eagles would take the first offensive possession on overtime and marched inside the Le Roy 10-yard line, but the defense would initially hold strong.

Zach Fitzsimmons came up with a big sack on third down to knock Way-Co back to the 12-yard line, but Ellis would find Chapman on the exact same play as the first touchdown to put the Eagles in front 14-8.

On Le Roy’s first offensive play of overtime, McMullen found Egeling for a gain of nine yards, but the Knights were never able to pick up that final yard as McMullen was unable to connect with Pierce in the end zone on second down, and Privitera was stopped short on the final two plays of the game to give Wayland-Cohocton their first sectional championship in school history.

“We just tried to get the first down,” Moran said. “We just tried to score and hopefully get a chance to kick an extra point to win, but today it just didn’t happen.”

The Le Roy trademark rushing attack was held in check all game, as the Eagles held them to a season-low 76 yards. Privitera finished with just 30 yards on 11 carries in the final game of his superb high school career.

McMullen finished the game 10-of-22 for 165 yards and a touchdown. McQuillen caught five of those passes for 108 yards.

Le Roy’s defense played well, holding the Eagles to under 200 yards of total offense, registering four sacks and forcing three turnovers.

Ellis entered the game having thrown only one interception all game, but the Knights managed to intercept him twice on the game, and he finished 5-of-12 for 73 yards to go along with his two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wayland-Cohocton (9-1) will go on to face the winner of the Section VI championship game next week in the Far West Regionals.

Le Roy will finish their season at 8-2 as they fell in the Class C final for the second consecutive season.

“They had a great game plan defensively,” Moran said. “We played well, but obviously they made one more play than us and congratulations to them.”

Top Photo: Reece Chapman, Wayland-Cohocton's running back, crosses the goal line for the game's first points in the fourth quarter after catching a 13-yard pass from C.J. Ellis.

Ryan McQuillen outruns the Wayland-Cohocton defense after grabbing a swing pass from QB Mike McCullen for an 80-yard TD reception to tie the score in the fourth quarter.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

#4 Le Roy Oatkan Knights (8-1) vs. #3 Wayland-Cohocton Eagles (8-1)

Class C Championship, 5 p.m. Friday at Sahlen's Stadium

Le Roy will play for a Section V record 15^th football championship when they take on Wayland-Cohocton on Friday night.

Currently the Oatkan Knights are tied with rival Caledonia-Mumford (who lost in the finals last week) and Clyde-Savannah, who won their 14th title last week, for the most championships in Section V.

It would be fitting for Le Roy to break the record, with this being Head Coach Brian Moran’s 25^th season at the helm. Moran has led the Knights to 13 of their championships, but has not brought home a trophy since 2008.

The fourth-seeded Knights made it to the Class C finals a season ago, before losing to Hornell 21-7.

This season, they will face third-seeded Wayland-Cohocton in a battle of Livingston County schools.

Le Roy has garnered a lot of recognition for their passing game this season, but it has been the running game that has carried them during their sectional run, reminding fans of classic Knights football.

After carrying Le Roy a season ago, running back Peter Privitera got off to a slow start this season, in part due to an ankle injury. However, in the last two weeks Privitera has carried the ball 48 times for 245 yards and three touchdowns.

The senior has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last two games after failing to eclipse that mark in three of the last four games of the regular season, including a 28-yard performance in a Week 7 loss to Cal-Mum.

“Peter is just getting to 100 percent,” Moran said. “He had ankle surgery and that’s not easy to come back from, but what impresses me most about Peter is that the four or five yards he gets are tough four or five yards. That’s what Le Roy football is all about, getting tough yards when you need it.”

Last week, Coach Moran relied heavily on his senior in the second half, and when Le Roy fell behind 14-13 late in the fourth quarter, it was Privitera who reeled off a 45-yard touchdown run to put the Knights ahead for good.

The Knights will be dealt with a tough task in stopping another tough running back on the other side of the field.

Wayland-Cohocton is led by Section V Class Player of the Year Devon Harris.

The junior running back has put up some impressive numbers this season, rushing for 1,531 yards and 29 touchdowns. Harris has also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns on the year and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

The Eagles also have a balanced attack, as quarterback C.J. Ellis has had an outstanding senior season.

Ellis has completed 75-percent of his passes this season for 1,023 yards, 13 touchdowns and only one interception.

Way-Co comes into this Class C title tilt outscoring opponents 88-14 in two sectional games.

Final Note: While this game will showcase two of the top running backs in Class C, it could be the passing game that decides the game.

Wayland-Cohocton’s duo of Ellis and Darren Becker was the fourth-best combination in Livingston County play, but Le Roy has their own superb tandem.

Ryan McQuillen has racked up 12 touchdowns on 25 receptions this season, and has caught a touchdown in each of the last five games.

Quarterback Mike McMullen has also tossed 25 touchdown passes this season and has thrown three or more in four games this season.

Press release:

The 29th annual Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Judith Ridley of Le Roy on Friday, Dec. 6 at an awards luncheon at Terry Hills Restaurant.  The award presented by The Jerome Foundation and United Memorial Medical Center Foundation recognizes volunteer men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents. Nominations should reflect “ordinary people who reach far beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope, care, and friendship, and helping build a stronger, healthier community.”

In naming Judith Ridley for this year’s award, the foundations will recognize her volunteer efforts with the Le Roy Pantry and Help Fund, the Le Roy Volunteer Ambulance, Red Cross, and Friendship Club at the Greens in Le Roy.

Ms. Ridley has been an active volunteer for the Le Roy Pantry and Help fund for 14 years, and Board president for the past five years. She coordinates volunteers, writes grants, and solicits local supermarkets and food banks for donations. In 2012 under Judith’s leadership nearly 19,000 meals were served to 357 households in the Le Roy area. Thanksgiving and Christmas were particularly busy for the Le Roy Pantry, when 100 needy families were provided meals for the holidays. In her nominating letter Dorian Ely, coordinator of Genesee County’s RSVP volunteer program, said, “Although Judy has a strong team of volunteers, the Le Roy Pantry and Help Fund works because of Judy’s exceptional organizational skills, model work ethic, collaborative style and compassion for the neediest in our community.”

Ms. Ridley has also been active in the Le Roy Volunteer Ambulance Fund for 10 years.  She keeps records for the organization, completes forms required by New York State, and other necessary duties to maintain the essential ambulance service. On average, Judith volunteers 30 to 35 hours each week.

At the Greens of Le Roy, Judith regularly helps other members of the Le Roy Friendship Club make items for Camp Good Days and Special Times and for newborns at UMMC.  Judith is also active with the American Red Cross and the First Presbyterian Church of Le Roy, where she has served in various leadership positions. In her nomination letter June Dusen, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, said, “Judy is a woman of faith; she does not judge, shows kindness and respect for all. She works quietly behind the scenes, never seeking recognition.”

The Health and Humanitarian Award luncheon is open to the public. Reservations can be made by contacting United Memorial Medical Center Foundation at 344-5300. Seating will be limited so early reservations are encouraged.

The gas tank on a passenger vehicle is reported to have fallen off in the area of Bank and North streets in Le Roy. Police responded and determined that the gas tank had been leaking "over a wide area" -- on the trip from Batavia to Le Roy. An officer is speaking with a rep from the Department of Environmental Conservation to determine what, if anything, should be done in terms of cleaning up the spill.

UPDATE 6:09 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service. The DEC determined nothing needed to be done.

Nick Alexander Hawkins, 29, of Randall Road, Le Roy, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Hawkins is accused spraying pepper spay at the driver and front seat passenger of a vehicle while on Black Street Road, Pavilion.

Daniel J. Wolfe, 39, of 6 Wood St., upper, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wolfe is accused of stealing $152 in merchandise from Save-A-Lot. Wolfe was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Kimberli A. Knickerbocker, 47, of 218 Liberty St.,Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Knickerbocker is accused of stealing money from a wallet at Save-A-Lot.

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 26, Batavia Police Department, Le Roy Police Department, and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office participated in the D.E.A. Sponsored, National Drug Take Back Day. In Genesee County Take Back sites were operated at the Batavia Police Department, 10 W. Main St., the LeRoy Police Department, 3 W. Main St. and the Pembroke Town Highway Barns, at routes 5 and 77.

Collected at the three sites in Genesee County was a total of 527 pounds of medications and hypodermic instruments.

The collected items have been delivered to Buffalo D. E. A. for proper disposal.

Police wish to thank the public for their enthusiastic response to this great program.  Working together we have kept these drugs from potentially being abused and from contaminating our environment.

Photo by Jeff Strollo. Photo and information submitted by Kim Yauchzee.

Le Roy Junior Youth Football won their division's championship yesterday beating Livonia 18-12 in double overtime.

One car has hit another vehicle, knocking that vehicle into the garage at 79 Clay St., Le Roy.

The garage is partially collapsed.

There are no injuries reported.

Le Roy fire is responding.

UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: A patient is being transported to UMMC. 

A possibly intoxicated female in her 20s and dressed as a mummy is reportedly going door-to-door on Hilltop Drive in Le Roy and showing people a picture of a dog on her mobile phone asking people if they lost a dog.

Le Roy PD dispatched to see if there are any mummies in the neighborhood.

UPDATE 11:48 p.m.: The mummy was DOA GOA (gone on arrival). The Le Roy patrol is back in service.

A fight with combatants using baseball bats is reported at 8719 Lake St. Road in, or near the north end of, the Village of Le Roy. Cars of possible participants are parked roadside, and a male allegedly involved, walking northbound, is now being spoken to by an officer. Other officers are speaking with other alleged participants as well.