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Accident with injuries reported on East Main Street, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at East Main Street and Church Street, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

Dispatchers are trying confirm whether there is entrapment.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.: Route 5 being shut down at North Street and Mill Street.

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: Mercy Flight put on standby.

UPDATE 9:17 a.m.: We've not heard Mercy Flight dispatched, but a ground contact is being established for a landing zone.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: This was a three-vehicle accident. A minivan and a pickup truck were in the turn lane on East Main Street, poised to turn south onto Wolcott, when the pickup truck was struck from behind by a westbound a black Chevy SUV. The truck was pushed into the mini-van. The driver of the SUV told officer Daryl Robb that he apparently fell asleep. A witness reportedly estimated his speed at 50 mph. The SUV driver was taken by Mercy Flight to an area hospital with possible serious injuries. One other driver was taken by ground ambulance to an area hospital and the third driver was a sign-off with only a minor facial cut. There were no passengers in any of the vehicles. The Crash Management Team for the Sheriff's Office is on scene conducting a thorough investigation.

Law and Order: Reported chair pushing incident leads to arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Mary Ann McClain, 53, of North Main Street, Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. McClain allegedly pushed a chair into another person repeatedly "causing annoyance and alarm." The call came in at 7 p.m. Monday on Judge Road, Alabama. 

Derek G. Thomas, 38, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Thomas is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General on Sunday. Also arrested was Melinda S. Blackshear, 49, of Ross Street, Batavia. Blackshear was charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th.

Rashad N. El-Amin, 33, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. El-Amin was arrested following an investigation at 3:18 a.m. Monday into a reported suspicious condition at an apartment on South Main Street, Batavia.

Matthew M. Maniace, 32, of Birchwood Drive, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and petit larceny. Maniace allegedly bent back the thumb of another person and took the phone of that person before leaving a residence on Birchwood Drive, Batavia, at 12:19 p.m. on Sunday. Maniace was also arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, charge and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Lauren M. Hunter, 24, of Oatka Trail, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Hunter was arrested following an investigation into an unrelated complaint at 2:43 a.m. Sunday on Summit Street, Batavia.

Search for missing person in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Firefighters from Le Roy and other volunteer fire companies along with local law enforcement are on scene at a residence on West Bergen Road, Le Roy, to search for a missing person. 

The scene is closed to all but search personnel. 

Stafford, Bergen and Pavilion have been dispatched. 

Gators from Alexander and Caledonia requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: The subject was located about 15 minutes ago. The elderly male, an Alzheimer's patient, was found by a neighbor dressed in his pajamas huddled and shivering on the floorboard of the neighbor's car. The neighbor was leaving for work. The search started around 12:30 a.m. with a K-9 unit after relatives reported the man missing. He had last been seen sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight. Later in the morning, Le Roy fire was called in, with mutual aid from at least eight other departments, according to Chief Tom Wood. The man was transported to UMMC for evaluation but other than feeling cold, he appeared to be in good condition, Woods said. The outcome could have been a lot different in harsher winter conditions, Woods noted.

Two Genesee County football players named to All-Greater Rochester Team

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia's Dominick Mogavero and Le Roy's Mike McMullen have both been named to the All-Greater Rochester Football Team for 2014.

McMullen was listed on the team as a quarterback and utility player. Mogavero, who played running back and linebacker for the Blue Devils, was named as a linebacker.

Greg Mruczek and Anthony Gallo, from Batavia, were named to the second team.

Honorable mentions went to:

  • Ethan Henry (Le Roy)
  • Tom Kelso (Le Roy)
  • Kody Lamkin (Le Roy)
  • Ryan McQuillen (Le Roy)
  • Mike Shepard (Le Roy)
  • Jarrett Laskett (Batavia)
  • Casey Arnold (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Samuel Browne (Alexander)
  • Allen Chatt (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Ryan Emery (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Andrew Gottler (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Bryan Hallenbeck (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • John Hochmuth (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Josh Hylkema (Alexander)
  • Josh Johnson (Batavia Notre Dame)
  • Tyler Laird (Alexander)
  • Ethan Osborne (Batavia Notre Dame)
  • Cal Neurohr (Pembroke)
  • Jacob Riggs (Alexander)
  • Devon Schroeder (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Mike Shanley (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Zach Shilvock (Alexander)
  • Dakota Swimline (Pembroke)
  • Jack Thomas (Pembroke)
  • Steele Truax (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Reice Woodward (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Joe Zickl (Batavia Notre Dame)

Village of Le Roy will plow privately owned street that is subject of litigation

By Howard B. Owens

CORRECTION: We're not going to change the headline because it would break the link to the story, but Filmore Street is not a subject in the resident's lawsuit over the duplex's constructed in the area.

Village of Le Roy trustees held an emergency meeting Saturday morning and voted to plow a portion of Filmore Street that is privately owned.

The section of street is the subject of a lawsuit filed by residents in Presidential Acres against the village after the village paved the street at a cost of $48,000.

The street is owned by local businessman Pete McQuillen.

There are residential units -- also the subject of a lawsuit -- along the street and trustees said they decided that while the legal wrangling winds through the process, those residents deserve to have their street plowed. 

It's a public safety issue, they said.

"My only reason for making this motion is, all you lawyers, someday you will work this all out, but the people living there should not be caught in the middle," said Trustee Jim Bonacquisti. "Those people who live in that section should expect the street to get plowed, no matter who it is.   This will all get taken care of, maybe years from now, but for somebody who lives there today, we need to take care of them. Whether you think it's an emergency, somebody who lives in the village expects their streets to be plowed."

Attorneys Amy Kendall and Alan Knauf, who are representing the Presidential Acres residents in the lawsuits, attended Saturday's meeting and argued against the the village plowing the street, as did David Boyce, one of the residents who is a party in the suit.

Knauf said he's been involved in cases like this before and NYS law, as well as the state Constitution clearly state that government money cannot be expended on maintaining private property, except in an emergency.

"I deal with this all the time," Knauf said. "In law, we have to make judgement calls, but there's no emergency today. What's the emergency? There is none."

It's the owner of the street, not the village taxpayers who should be paying for the street getting plowed in snow storms, Knauf said.

"If I had ice on my driveway and my wife comes down the steps of the back porch and might slip, I don't think that's an emergency situation where I could cal the fire department to come and clear my driveway," Knauf said. "That's my responsibility as a property owner."

Mayor Greg Rogers said the emergency meeting was called because the board failed Wednesday night to come out of executive session and take a public vote on the decision.  

The action was taken, he said, based on the advice of the village attorney to ensure the safety of residents off Filmore is taken into consideration.

Under terms of the resolution instructing DPW to plow the street, workers must maintain an account of the cost of plowing that section of street.

Law and Order: Hunter allegedly found with stolen handgun

By Howard B. Owens

David E. Stone, 63, of Route 237, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd. Department of Environmental Conservation officers were investigating a report of a person hunting with a rifle in the area of Morganville Road, Stafford, when they came into contact with Stone. Stone was allegedly in possession of a shotgun, loaded rifle and a loaded .357 caliber revolver. Stone is accused of not possessing a valid pistol permit. It's alleged that the revolver was stolen from a residence in the Town of Le Roy sometime within the past three years. Stone also faces possible DEC charges.

Jame Albert Hancock, 45, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in October on a criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, charge. Hancock was held on $1,000 bond.

Kara Ellen Wojkowski, 31, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wojkowski was allegedly involved in a fight with another person in her household.

Jessica L. Ford, 23, of Oak Street, is charged with assault, 3rd. Ford allegedly hit another person causing pain and injury. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Richard C. Smith, 47, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Smith was stopped at 3:21 a.m. Sunday on West Main Street by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Francis George Germuga, 54, of Stringham Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, improper U-turn, moving from lane unsafely and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Notre Dame student wins junior handler competition at national AKC show in Orlando

By Howard B. Owens

Photos and info from Charles Hull:

Lauren Hull, from Le Roy, won the National Junior Handler competition at the American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) Dog Show. This event is the highlight of the AKC show year. Participation in the junior handling competition is by invitation. To qualify, junior handlers must have gained 5 wins against competition during the qualifying period, and have a 3.0 average in school. This year's competition had an entry of 126 juniors.

Lauren is an A student at Notre Dame High School in Batavia, and had 10 wins this year. She has been showing dogs since 2007, and this was the 6th year in a row that she has qualified for and attended the AENC. She had to survive 3 rounds of preliminaries to make it to the finals.

Lauren's prizes included a $2,000 scholarship, a pink grooming box (available only to winners of Eukanuba-sponsored events), an engraved silver tray, a jeweled Best Junior pin, and two large rosette ribbons. Her name, and that of her Irish Setter, Kent (RedRidge's Kent Irish Fire), will be engraved on a permanent trophy housed at the AKC library in Raleigh, NC. Lauren also will be representing the United States at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show in England next March.

Car strikes Dollar General in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

These are reader submitted photos of a car that struck the Dollar General Store in Le Roy around 10:15 a.m.

Injuries were reportedly minor.

Law and Order: Five recent arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Kenneth Michael Gray, 23, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant out of Le Roy by Batavia PD. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. No details provided on the underlying charge.

Joseph Antwan Fletcher, 18, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Fletcher was allegedly observed by a Batavia police officer in the company of a person protected from contact by Fletcher by a court order.

James P. Colantonio Jr., 26, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and refusal to submit to chemical test. Colantonio was stopped at 2:12 a.m. Sunday on West Main Street, Batavia, by officer Marc Lawrence.

Daniel S. Kilner, 46, of Redfield Parkway, Batavia, was arrested for an alleged violation of probation. Kilner was located at his residence by the Probation Department and transported to BPD headquarters where he was arrested. Kilner was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Gurpreet Singh Malhi, 41, of Charit Way, Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Malhi was stopped at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday on Lake Road, Le Roy, by deputy Matthew Fleming.

Accident with injuries reported on North Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported on North Road, Le Roy, near the county line.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 5:59 a.m.: A second ambulance from Caledonia is requested to the scene at 8673 North Road.

UPDATE 6:38 a.m.: North Road being shut down so the vehicles can be moved.

Two-car accident with minor injuries on westbound Thruway, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at mile marker 381.5 on the westbound Thruway. A person is complaining of some neck and head pain. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding and are told to use caution upon approach because several vehicles are off the roadway in the area. One engine from Stafford is asked to stand by in Le Roy's fire hall.

Truck and car accident reported in Village of Le Roy, minor injuries

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly become stuck under a truck at West Main Street and Clay Street, Village of Le Roy.

Minor injuries are reported.

Le Roy fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 9:41 a.m.: The patient was a sign-off.

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

Photos submitted by Jeff Scott.

Noonan denies motion to dismiss in Frost Ridge case

By Howard B. Owens

The failure to publish a public notice prior to a September 2013 Le Roy Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on whether Frost Ridge Campground was in violation of zoning laws deprived neighbors of an opportunity to meaningfully participate in the board's decision, Judge Robert C. Noonan wrote in a ruling issued Friday.

The ruling was in response to a motion by the defendants, Greg and David Luetticke-Archbell, to have a lawsuit thrown out that challenges their ability to host live music concerts at the campground.

"The ZEO (Zoning Enforcement Officer)/ZBA's lack of compliance with the notice requirements was so grievous that no statute of limitations bars this action," Noonan wrote in the decision.

Noonan's ruling means that the lawsuits against Frost Ridge will proceed to trial.

The Luetticke-Archbells are fighting two lawsuits over live music at their natural amphitheater, and allegations that the campground was expanded in violation of zoning codes.

One lawsuit was filed by David and Marney Cleere and Scott and Betsy Collins, the other by the Town of Le Roy.

To date, the case has been a series of motions and hearings, but it appears that Noonan's ruling on this motion clears the way for trial.

Le Roy zooms past Warsaw with pressure defense and fast breaks

By Howard B. Owens

After a pre-season disrupted by a championship run by the football team, three days of practice lost to snowy weather and Thanksgiving, Le Roy's basketball team is still working out some kinks.

A rebuilding team of Warsaw Tigers got a taste Friday night of what a kinkless Oatka Knights might look like.

The Knights pressured on defense, forced turnovers and converted fast breaks into buckets to put 64 points on the board compared to 37 for the Tigers.

The win comes after a season opening 62-47 loss to York.

"Today we played with more energy, more flow to what we want to do," said Le Roy's Head Coach Rick Rapone. "In another week or two, we'll be right where we should be. We'll be fine."

Kody Lamkin had his second double-double in two games with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Egeling had 10 points and 10 rebounds

"Those are the guys we would expect to pretty much do it for us every game," Rapone said.

Dylan Laney sparked the offense early, scoring 10 points for the game.

Mike McMullen was playing on a sore ankle, but Rapone praised his strong performance as the team's floor leader. 

Coming off an 0-18 season, the Tigers are now coached by Steve Baker. Baker has seven years experience coaching basketball. The first six with modifieds and JV. He was Warsaw's boys varsity head coach five years ago, then he became a father and took time off from coaching. He agreed to take the position again this season after he and his wife moved closer to the school.

In Le Roy, the Tigers got a taste of the kind of fast-paced, high-pressure defense and transition offense Baker would like to instill in the Warsaw scheme.

"Instead of sitting in a half-court offense, I'd really like to start pushing the floor," Baker said. "That's a big thing to me."

His team his learning, he said. Last night, when they went man-to-man for part of the second half, they held Le Roy to just eight points. That was a good sign, Baker said.

The goal is to improve every game, every practice and that's happening, he said.

"I notice improvement every day," Baker said. "I'm getting compliments from the other coaches and officials. The kids are playing a lot better."

To purchase prints, click here.

Bob Boyce receives 30th Annual Health and Humanitarian Award

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy resident Bob Boyce was recognized at a luncheon Friday afternoon for his years of dedicated volunteer work in the community by the UMMC Foundation and St. Jerome's Foundation with the 30th Annual Health and Humanitarian Award.

For more than 26 years Mr. Boyce has devoted his time and talent to improving the quality of volunteer ambulance service for the people of Le Roy. He is currently president of the Le Roy Ambulance Service, a position he has held for the past 12 years. Under his leadership Le Roy Volunteer Ambulance grew to Le Roy Ambulance Service, assuring availability of both trained personnel and volunteers needed to provide ambulance service to residents.

He's served on UMMC Foundation Board of Directors, and the former Genesee Memorial Hospital Group Board of Directors.

In one of several letters nominating Mr. Boyce, Marie Scofield noted his volunteer efforts have not been limited to health-related organizations, but have included education. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Genesee Community College after serving on GCC Foundation Board of Directors for nine years, including two years as president. He has been active with the Le Roy Rotary Club, helping raise money for scholarships benefitting Le Roy students.  

Boyce was also active in youth sports in Le Roy for many years.

For more pictures from the event, click here.

Photos: Le Roy's 30-foot Christmas tree raised today

By Howard B. Owens

For the second year, the Christmas Crew was erecting the annual Christmas tree at the corner of Main and Lake streets in the Village of Le Roy (the former Wiss Hotel lot).

Doing the work today were Andrew Lathan, Ed McDonald and Michael Glazier.

Lathan Tree Service donated the 30-foot tree a year ago.

The tree will be lit this year in part with the help of donations from National Grid (new utility pole) and Humphrey Electric (new electric installation).

There will be a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., Saturday, at the close of Winterfest.

Michael Glazier

Sponsored Post: Le Roy Winterfest is December 6th from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.!

By Lisa Ace
 
Community Christmas Tree Lighting & Caroling -- 6 p.m. Hot chocolate will be supplied by Spirits. Church Choirs & the Boy Scout Troop will be there to lead in caroling. All are invited to carol at the lighting and then go back to the First Presbyterian Church (across the street) for cookies and more hot chocolate to warm up.
 
Let us come together as a community this holiday season. Save Time. Save Gas. Catch up with friends. Wrap up the savings while shopping and supporting local.
 
Stroll through the Village Full Card Business Bingo 10 a.m - 2 p.m. Visit ALL participating businesses for FULL card business bingo. All FULL sheets must be turned into the Community Holiday Bazaar by 3 p.m. on Dec. 6th to be entered to win.  
 
Main, Mill, and Bank street businesses are offering open houses and in-store specials. Photo booth @58 on Main all day.
 
Community Holiday Bazaar, Le Roy Moose Family Center, 21 Bank St., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. More than 18 home crafters and home businesses, LCCP Bake Sale, Santa arrives at 1 p.m., FREE CHILD IDs, Chinese raffle, door prizes, and lunch available. One raffle ticket for each non-perishable or canned good collected or tickets are available for purchase.
 
KID ZONE ACTIVITIES -- Le Roy Moose Family Center -- SANTA arrives via fire truck at 1 p.m. Caricatures on Santa's lap for $3 and FREE CHILD IDs all day. Town of Le Roy Building 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Coloring contest, face painting & story of the candy cane, caricatures from 11:30 to 12:30 for $3 and more. Fire Hall -- Inflatable playground from 11 to 1. Santa's Cutest Elf Contest -- age groups 0-2, 3-5 yrs., and 6-10 -- at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.
 
K9 Demonstration with Sheriff's deputy Erion & Destro at 2 p.m. at the Moose.
 
Woodward Memorial Library 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Join us for a "Frozen" themed Winter Wonderland that includes crafts, make "Olaf," Play Doh, and stop in to watch "Frozen." We will be showing the movie all day. Stop in or stay all day! 
 
Lunch & Dinner Specials -- LB Grand, Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew, Barrista's @ 58 on Main, Le Roy Country Club, Spirits, Mooney's, Scooter's/Gigi's, Moose Family Center (lunch), Masonic Community Center (breakfast), and McDonald's.
 
Jingle All The Way 5K/10K starts at 3 p.m. -- Bank and Lower Myrtle streets will be closed due to the race at 2 p.m. Parking is available in municipal lots on Bank Street (enter/exit at McDonald's), Mill Street, and Bacon Street.
 
Reminder... Bring all receipts for Shop, Dine, and Win in Le Roy saved from Nov. 6th to Dec. 6th to the Community Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 6th to receive entries into the drawings. Purchases from Saturday Dec 6th count, too.

Community investment plan announced for 24 Main St., Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A group of Le Roy residents who once tried to save the Wiss Hotel with a unique community-based investment structure have found a new target for their revitalization efforts: 24 Main Street.

Le Roy New York, LLC, is looking to raise the funds necessary to refurbish the now vacant mixed-use building, which was most recently Java's Coffee Shop.

"Our goal is to create three beautiful residential apartments on the second and third floors and create a vibrant commercial establishment on the ground floor," said Bob Fussell, one of the organizers.

The group needs to raise $250,000, and already has $177,000 toward that goal, mostly from contractors who are contributing labor, equipment and expertise as their primary investment.

A minimum investment in the project is $1,500.

A similar structure for community investment in a revitalization project, led by Rick Hauser, has been used in Perry to help transform that community's downtown.

Hauser, now the mayor of Perry, was a consultant to the group on the Wiss Hotel proposal, which eventually fell short of the group's goal to buy the building and restore it rather than see it demolished.

For more information, visit 24mainleroy.org

The building will be open for tours during Winterfest this Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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