Le Roy

We've heard from several residents of Le Roy and parents that Wolcott Street Elementary School has been evacuated.

We do know some time ago, the Le Roy Fire Department was asked to assemble at its fire hall for an "incident."

We don't know if the two items are related.

Attempts to reach the Le Roy Police or school district officials have been unsuccessful.

We have no further information at this time.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: "The situation is resolved. Units are released." That's the scene as it stands. After receiving a threat in the form of a written note, the school was evacuated, according to district employee Brian Fuller. State police arrived and other emergency responders and nothing was found after a thorough search. A canine was used in the process.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: The children are being escorted back into their classrooms.

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: The school principal declined to comment.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: Fuller said at around noon graffiti was found in a bathroom claiming a bomb was in the building. The 630 students were evacuated and parents were notified via an automated districtwide phone call. The bomb-sniffing canine found nothing and now the students have resumed what's left of their school day.

Chris Charvella can start attending Genesee County Legislature meetings again.

Town of Batavia Justice Mike Cleveland today adjusted the order of protection barring him from showing up at the place of business of Legislator Jay Grasso.

Grasso has accused Charvella of harassing him for leaving a message on his home phone that said, "Thanks for reading my blog."

Charvella is charged with harassment, 2nd. Under the statute, he is accused of making a phone call with no legitimate purpose.

Along with attorney E. Robert Fussell, Charvella, a Democratic committee member, appeared in Town of Batavia Court today for a status hearing.

Fussell indicated he is preparing motions to challenge the constitutionality of the charge, but the only request today was to change the order of protection issued in Town of Le Roy Court when Charvella was first arrested. The order prohibits Charvella from having any contact with Grasso.

"It's certainly has been my practice to attend meetings of the legislature," said Charvella, who ran for a seat on the county board in 2009. "That's a practice I would like to continue."

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini object to the change in the order, saying that Charvella was offered a plea deal that would have altered the court order and given Charvella a conditional discharge of the case.* Since Charvella turned down that offer and the case may go to trial, Cianfrini said, Charvella should be kept away in all circumstances from Grasso, since Grasso is both the alleged vicitm and a potential witness in any trial.

(UPDATE: Cianfrini called to clarify: Charvella was offered an adjournament in contemplation of dismissal, meaning the case would be dismissed with no record (all court records would be sealed) if Charvella stayed out of trouble for six months).

Grasso, a Republican, is Le Roy's elected representative on the legislature.

Outside of court, Fussell wouldn't confirm that he and his client intend to take the case to trial. He would only say, "I'm preparing motions." He said the motions would be based on constitutional issues.

During the hearing today, Fussell gave some indication of what those arguments will be, telling Cleveland, "If a politician doesn't like what a constituent has to say, it would be very, very chilling (to block meeting attendance). He (Charvella) should be allowed to attend these things."

Those motions must be filed by April 15 and Charvella's next court appearance was set for 4:30 p.m., May 23.

For previous coverage of the Chris Charvella and Jay Grasso case, click here.

A propane truck and another truck have crashed at 8053 Lake St. Road in Le Roy. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance are called. Injuries unknown.

Bergen Fire Department is asked to standby in its quarters.

UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: Bergen is now requested to go to the scene. A second ambulance is called. State Trooper is on scene.

UPDATE 11:57 a.m.: Bergen is told to go back in service. A trucker trying get through the clogged traffic is reportedly "in a hurry," to which someone replies "no doubt."

Tonight I went to the Le Roy Central School District board meeting to see if anything interesting happened. Nothing did, but as I was leaving, I saw this wonderfully shaped tree with the great mural in the well-lit hallway in background and thought it should make a good picture. As long as I had the tripod out, I took the picture below of the Woodward Memorial Library.

A car reportedly crashed into some trees on West Bergen Road just south of the Thruway.

There are unconfirmed injuries.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:01 a.m.: No injuries. A fire hydrant was struck. Monroe County water being notified.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: Le Roy units back in service.

None of the seven people involved in a two-car accident in Le Roy on Saturday afternoon were injured.

The driver of one car, Cody A. Busch, 19, of Batavia, said he was trying to brake for another car when he lost control of the 1989 Pontiac he was driving and the car spun into oncoming traffic.

The Pontiac struck a 2002 Kia driven by Angelo J. Rampino, 38, of Tonawanda.

No citations were issued following the 5:33 p.m. accident on Route 19 in the area of 8623 Lake Road.

In Busch's car were James K. Goodenow, 39, and Kristine M. Reynolds, 21.  In Rampino's car were Heather C. Rampino, 37, Angelo J. Rampino II, 4, and Deborah A. Gillmor, 57.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff.

A two-car, minor injury accident is reported at Lake Street near West Bergen Road.

Le Roy Fire Police requested to the scene to shut down traffic on Route 19.

Le Roy Ambulance responding.

A one-car rollover accident with four victims is reported at Route 19 and Court Road in the Town of Covington. Pavilion Fire Department, Le Roy Ambulance and Mercy EMS are responding.

The accident occurred "at the curve" there. Pavilion-Warsaw and Court roads are being shut down to traffic.

One of the victims has back pain.

Tomubari Godswill Gbaraba, 18, of 262 14th St., Buffalo, is charged with rape in the first degree. Gbaraba is accused of having forced sexual intercourse with an 18-year-old victim at College Village. Gbaraba was jailed on $50,000 bail.

Christine A. Woika, 37, of 82 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with reckless endangerment of property and endangering the welfare of a child. Woika is accused of placing a jacket and other clothing in an oven in an apartment and leaving the oven on. The clothes started to burn and if they had caught fire, the fire could have spread causing at least more than $250 in damage. Woika is also accused of allowing herself to become incoherent to the point that she had to be transported to a hospital while she was caring for a 2-year-old child.

John Weston Boddy, 19, of Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Boddy is accused of possessing marijuana while on Pavilion Central School property. He was issued an appearance ticket by Deputy Brian Thompson.

A 17-year-old, of Roanoke Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth is accused of possessing marijuana while on Pavilion Central School property. He was issued an appearance ticket by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Gary Frank Caccamise, 64, of Attica, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Caccamise was reportedly spotted by Deputy Brian Thompson allegedly drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Upon further investigation, Thompson allegedly found Caccamise in possession of marijuana.

Gerald George Ryder, 50, of Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Ryder is accused of punching a woman in the head and then smashing her wooden bookcase during an incident at 2:30 a.m., Saturday.

 A two-car accident with a possible minor injury is blocking the eastbound lane of West Main Street, Le Roy.

One subject is complaining of a possible arm injury.

The accident occured in the area of 70 West Main St.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance responding. 

Scott Dennis Boyles, 31, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Boyles is accused of preventing another person from making a call to the Sheriff's Office during an alleged domestic incident. He's also accused of damaging a chair in the residence and having physical contact with the other person.

Randy R. Skrypek, 35, of Cluber Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. He was arrested following a report of a domestic incident on Fisher Road, Oakfield, at 4:45 p.m., Monday. Skrypek allegedly drove to the location in an intoxicated condition.

A brake fire on an unknown type of vehicle has been reported by the Thruway Authority on the I-90 at mile marker 375.1.

That puts it just at the county line.

Le Roy Fire is responding.

A third suspect in an alleged fight at the Eagle Hotel in Le Roy on Jan. 23 has been arrested and charged with harassment, 2nd.

Steven Hare, 37, of 9 Washington Ave., Le Roy, was arraigned and released following his arrest.

Hare is accused of shoving another person during the alleged altercation.

Previously charged with assault, 2nd were Thomas B. Streamer, 40, of 28 Grover St., Warsaw, and Thomas W. Sherman, 41, of 108 North St., Le Roy.

One alleged victim was taken to UMMC with with facial, head and shoulder injuries.

Jorge Alberto Rojas Cazares, 16, of Gully Road, Le Roy, is charged with illegal entry. Cazares came to the attention of the Sheriff's Office while Deputy Joseph Graff investigated the complaint of a person receiving unwanted text messages. The youth was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Mark H. Poole, 44, of 104 Oak St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Poole is accused of being in a physical altercation with a person under 17 years old. Poole was jailed on $750 bail.

Thomas B. Streamer, 40, of 28 Grover St., Warsaw, and Thomas W. Sherman, 41, of 108 North St., Le Roy, are each charged with assault, 2nd. Both men are accused of getting into a fight with a 37-year-old Le Roy resident while at the Eagle Hotel on Jan. 23. The alleged victim suffered serious physical injuries to his shoulder, head and face. He was treated at UMMC. Streamer and Sherman were arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Le Roy Police say that further arrests are pending.

Walter Lyle Knickerbocker, 53, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Knickerbocker is accused of stealing road salt from the DOT salt barn on routes 19 and 20, Pavilion. The alleged theft(s) occurred on and before Jan. 19.

Aaron D. Swimline, 24, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with a felony count of DWI, a felony count of aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater), unlawful possession of marijuana, speed not reasonable nor prudent, moving from lane unsafely. Swimline was reportedly involved in a one-car accident at 12:59 a.m., Saturday in the area of 2553 Main Road, Corfu. The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Carlson.

LaToya Tamika Vialva, 19, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Vialva is accused of being on College Village property after being banned from the property.

Demolishing the vacant and ramshackle Wiss Hotel in Le Roy Village could cost at least twice as much as the Genesee County Legislature discussed Wednesday night before voting to forgive tax liens on the property.

A local real estate investor -- who asked not to be identified -- said he looked at the property one time and had a Rochester-based demolition company give an estimate on taking down the building. The low-end best guess was $175,000.

The investor said that's the price for tearing it down without an asbestos inspection and hauling the material to a dump that would accept potentially contaminated material.

If it could be confirmed before demolition that there's no asbestos present, tearing the structure down and disposing of the material could be cheaper. But an asbestos inspection costs $35,000.

If an inspection was done, he said, and asbestos was found, then the demolition price would climb beyond $175,000, perhaps beyond $225,000.

And that's before dealing with any potential contamination from the former NAPA location next door on Route 19.

It's a great location, he said, but realistically, any investor would need both properties to make it a suitable space for modern retail. The potential expense of buying and leveling both properties so a new business could be built, would eat up most potential profits -- even if the hotel parcel was bought for the price of the tax liens.

With the county washing its hands of the property, it becomes the problem of either the village or property owner.

Gene Sinclair, Le Roy code enforcement officer, said he isn't sure what the village will do. In early 2010, the village started down the path of declaring it an unsafe building, but backed off when it became clear what the potential demolition costs would be.

The investor said the interior of the building is in pretty bad shape and gives anybody who looks at it a pretty clear idea that the building needs to come down.

"I'd hate to wake up some morning and read that the building has fallen down with a couple of people buried under it," he said.