Le Roy

A lantern in a tree at 25 Pleasant St., Le Roy, is reportedly smoldering.

Le Roy Fire Department is dispatched.

UPDATE 9:49 p.m.: A chief on scene reports the fire is out. "It appears to be accidental."

UPDATE 9:51 p.m.: Le Roy fire is back in service.

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An officer is apparently being attacked by people at 21 Maple Ave., Le Roy.

Multiple law enforcement units are responding. The location is between North and Church streets in the Village of Le Roy.

UPDATE 5:19 p.m. (by Billie): A female in front of the house is armed with a knife. A man has been pinned down by police. An officer on scene says "Keep sending all units. Multiple people are going to be arrested."

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: At least three arrests will be made. Manpower called to this point is sufficient.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: Law enforcement has the scene under control.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: Sheriff's deputies from Wyoming and Orleans counties are staged at the county line just in case they are needed. But an officer says things have calmed down. Suspects are in custody.

UPDATE 5:59 p.m.: One patient is being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m. (Info. from Howard at the scene): The incident allegedly began when a Sheriff's deputy arrived at 21 Maple Ave. to serve an arrest warrant on a male, who allegedly became uncooperative. Then the suspect's father allegedly interjected himself into the matter and the suspect's mother allegedly grabbed a knife and threatened the deputy with it. One of the individuals was taken to UMMC for a health complaint not directly related to the incident on Maple Avenue. When feasible, that individual will be transported to county jail. The two other people involved are already in custody.

UPDATE 6:29 p.m.: The individual taken to UMMC is the father.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service.

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A possible grass fire in two spots is reported in the woods off westbound Route 490 in the area of mile marker 0.9. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments are called to investigate.

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: Firefighters found five or six large controlled burns. The farmer had notified the Emergency Dispatch Center beforehand about the planned burns. However, authorities decided because of their location, they should be looked at for safety reasons. The responders are back in service. And the property owner, who is actually on Lake Street Road, is "highly agitated" with the situation.

Doris L. Mayl, 59, of 2 Manhattan Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mayl is accused of taking bulk trash stickers from items on South Main Street. The stickers are purchased from the city to put on large items that need trash pick up.

Andrea M. Whitbeck, 23, of 196 Henderson Drive, Penfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Whitbeck was stopped at 3:20 a.m. Thursday on Church Street, Le Roy, by Le Roy PD.

Law enforcement is requested to one of the Hanson Aggregates properties in Le Roy to deal with a subject who may have been stealing.

The car the person was in is blocked from leaving and the subject has taken off running toward the golf course.

UPDATE 9:47 p.m.: There are two subjects. The person with the car is being interviewed by police and the other's on foot. The subject who ran has a Le Roy address, but the subject with the car says his friend moved recently.

UPDATE 9:48 p.m.: The subject on foot has been apprehended.

Le Roy Police are responding to a report of a driver of a ride-on lawn mower consuming an open container of alcohol near the junction of Maple Avenue and North Street.

UPDATE, Friday, 9:55 a.m.: (by Howard): The driver was issued a citation for an alleged violation of the open container law. No further details available at this time.

During the rescue of Brandon C. Smart, 34, of Batavia, and Michael C. Hayes, 24, of Rochester, yesterday at Buttermilk Falls, Le Roy, a member of Genesee County Emergency Management Services, D.R. Roblee, had his camera and took several pictures. The Batavian requested copies of those pictures and Tim Yaeger, director of emergency management, agreed to share them.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

A Batavia man may be lucky to be alive after falling more than 30 feet from the top of Buttermilk Falls on Thursday evening and landing on a small rock ledge rather than dropping another 40 feet into the churning waters below.

More than 60 of Genesee County's emergency responders were on scene within 30 minutes of the 6:54 p.m. 9-1-1 call, which initially indicated a juvenile male had fallen over the falls and was being swept downstream.

Brandon C. Smart, 34, of Batavia, was taken by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital with a head injury, a cut and complaint of neck pain.

The cause of Smart's fall, according to the Sheriff's Office, is a combination of drinking and Smart trying to pass a case of beer to another person further down the cliff.

Buttermilk Falls is less than a mile east of Route 19, and just north of North Road, where the road makes a sharp turn in an area where it crosses Oakta Creek. Crocker Ace Hardware is nearby.

Based on the original information given to dispatchers, Le Roy Fire responded and sent one rescue team downstream and positioned another team near the top of the falls. When Chief Tom Wood (on the right on the top inset photo) learned the victim had landed on the ledge, he requested the county's rope rescue team respond.

Smart, who was initially reported as being unconscious, was on the ledge until 9:11 p.m.

Initially, Mercy Flight was requested to the scene because of the possible serious injuries, but once Smart was brought back to the top of the falls, responders decided to take him to Strong Memorial Hospital by ground ambulance.

After Smart's fall, Michael C. Hayes, 24, of Rochester (wearing the Sheriff's raincoat top photo; shirtless in the picture below), climbed down to his position.

Although Hayes was uninjured, the rope team needed to rescue him as well.

Sgt. Steven Mullen (bottom inset photo), Sheriff's Office, said Hayes getting on the ledge himself just made the rescue that much more dangerous for all involved.

"As these gentlemen have spoke about, a technical rescue like this on the face of a waterfall, which is slippery and overgrown with moss and vegetation, is nothing that I would suggest," Mullen said. "It makes their job that much tougher when you have two people that need to be rescued as opposed to one."

When rescuers were ready to try and hoist Smart back to the top of the falls, he reportedly became uncooperative.

"It was a little bit of a precarious situation considering that these rescuers are on a ledge with a 40-foot drop below them," said Tim Yaeger, Emergency Services director (on the left in the top inset photo), "We had a situation where we tried to talk to that individual for a while to help him understand the situation so we could secure the person into a harness to bring him back up to the topside. That was deemed to be unsuccessful, so law enforcement was asked to assist."

Mullen made his way to the ledge and talked with the Smart for 10 or 15 minutes and convinced him to get into the harness.

Yaeger said officials were unsure if Smart was uncooperative because of his head injury -- patients with head injuries often become combative -- or if other factors played a role.

Mullen said Smart had been drinking prior to the fall.

"He wasn’t making a whole lot of sense," Mullen said. "He was somewhat irrational. That’s one reason he was transported by ground ambulance. If he becomes aggressive, he would be much easier to handle."

The two men who were rescued were apparently part of a group of at least seven people who went to the falls Thursday and Mullen said all appeared to have been drinking.

Seven people have been charged with trespass. They are, Hayes; Tatijana M. Kacurovski, 19, of Everwood Run, Webster; Sara M. Gianni, 20, of Quincy Street, Rochester; Donald E. Hayes, 27, of Quincy Street, Rochester; James A. Sharpstene, 25, of Morrow Road, Pavilion; Nathanial D. Clark, 20, of Milburn Street, Rochester; and, Melany M. Schlicker, 18, of Countess Road, Henrietta.

All seven suspects were issued appearance tickets.

Charges are pending against Smart.

Buttermilk Falls is owned by Carla Crocker, a Le Roy resident.

Yaeger said people trespassing at the falls not only put themselves at risk, but all of the people who need to respond when an accident occurs.

"That’s something to think about," Yaeger said. "The fact that these kids may be sightseeing and walking and seeing the falls from both sides, but if something were to happen, they’re putting a lot of individuals at risk."

Chief Wood said during his 12 yeas with the department, there are been three people who fell from the top of the falls. The first two victims died as a result.

Eric Friedhaber, a Le Roy resident whose property abuts the top of Buttermilk Falls, said trespassers are common on both sides of the creek around the falls.

"There's no guard rails so you can get pretty close to the edge," Friedhaber said. "When you go back there, there are lots of beer bottles and cans and graffiti on the bridge. Any time the weather's nice and there's water in the creek, people go back there and hang out. It's a party spot for kids."

Friedhaber said he's seen people get pretty close to the edge of the falls, even dancing at the edge of the falls.

"Every day three or four cars are parked out here and people go back there all the time,"  Friedhaber said. "I’m kind of surprised it (people falling) hasn’t happened more often."

Responding to the scene today: Le Roy fire, Sheriff's Office, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight, Bergen fire, Genesee County Emergency Services and the rope rescue team.

Bottom photo of Buttermilk Falls taken by Eric Friedhaber on an earlier date.

A juvenile male has reportedly fallen over Old Buttermilk Falls. The caller was panicked and told dispatch the youth didn't seem conscious and then the caller couldn't see him anymore. Le Roy police, Le Roy Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: A responder sees the victim, 30-feet downstream "on the west (rock face) wall." He has a gash in his head and appears to be severely injured. They are calling the swift water rope rescue team to the scene.

UPDATE 7:06 p.m.: Mercy Flight is put on standby. The victim is in a deep ravine and may be difficult to reach.

UPDATE 7:11 p.m.: They are going to start clearing a path in the brush so the rope rescue team can access the location of the victim. There is another person standing by the victim attempting to help rescuers. Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia has an eight-minute ETA.

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: Everything has to be "trucked into the area." They have the person who is with the victim on 9-1-1 dispatch and they have his number so they can get information about the victim as the rescue proceeds.

UPDATE 7:16 p.m.: The person with the victim reports he is conscious and alert and has several gashes in his head. He was unconscious for about four minutes.

UPDATE 7:19 p.m.: The victim is sitting upright and is wearing dark clothing. Old Buttermilk Falls is located on Oatka Creek at the bend of North Street Road, just east of Route 19 going out of the Village of Le Roy. It is a natural cascade that is 4-feet-tall and lies just above a crescent-shaped manmade dam. Oatka Creek itself is 15-feet high and 196-feet wide.

UPDATE 7:22 p.m.: Mercy Flight will land in the roadway but can expect to wait a while until the individual can be extricated from the scene and transported.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: Bergen Fire Department is called to the scene, nonemergency response, to provide manpower. Pavilion is called to stand by in Le Roy's fire hall. Mercy Flight has landed. The victim is no longer in the water. He is sitting on a ledge.

UPDATE 7:29 p.m.: A property owner there tells dispatch he has an ATV with a trailer and a path to the base of the falls if those are needed to help rescue the victim.

UPDATE 7:41 p.m.: A chief at the scene calls for nighttime preparations so they can maintain effectiveness if they must remain there after sunset.

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.: The media staging area is set up at the "Dump Road" and Route 19.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: "The first victim has been brought to the top," says a responder to dispatch. The second victim, presumably, is the person who has been by the young male's side since the incident began unfolding -- but no word on his status yet.

UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: The primary victim is said to be uncooperative with the rescuers and assistance is required (not uncommon with head-trauma patients).

UPDATE 9:11 p.m.: The second, and last, victim has been brought to the surface.

UPDATE 9:18 p.m.: Mercy Flight has been put back in service. The victim(s) will be transported via ground ambulance.

UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: The responders are packing up their gear and preparing to leave. A press conference will take place shortly.

UPDATE 9:41 p.m.: Responders are packing up and preparing to leave. Mercy medics are transporting to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: All responders are back in service.

In a statement posted on its Web site, Le Roy Central School District Superintendent Kim Cox announced today that tests conducted by a Rochester environmental firm found "no adverse health impacts from contaminants in the air, soil or water in or around our high school campus."

The air, soil and water testing was completed by Leader, and Cox said the district received an extensive report on Leader's findings.

Leader did recommend the stack of the school's boiler be made taller to eliminate noxious odors that were coming into the school.

"While not considered a health issue, the odor was an annoyance and so we proceeded with this project in March," Cox said. "Additional work will be done this summer so that this issue is effectively alleviated."

While not releasing the cost of the stack replacement nor the cost of the testing, Cox said the state has agreed to pay for 92 percent of the cost of both projects.

Cox said the state picking up most of the bill, "is truly good news for everyone in the district," adding, "We are hopeful that other incidental costs will also be supported by the state."

Key among the findings, Cox noted, is that no TCE was found on campus.

The entire testing issue arose as a result of a number of students at the school developing a movement disorder, often called tics. 

Many Le Roy residents speculated about a link between a Lehigh Valley train wreck in the 1970s that spilled massive amounts of TCE about a mile-and-a-half upstream from the school, and that possibly crushed stone was used from the quarry in the school's construction, or construction of ball fields.

Environmental researcher Bob Bowcock from California, sent to Le Roy by Erin Brockovich, brought to public light the apparent failure of the EPA to adequately clean up the Superfund site. Though, Bowcock was skeptical of any link between the TCE spill and the movement disorder and through his own research eventually concluded there was likely no tie.

The disorder was labeled "mysterious" by national and international media as dozens of camera crews from major networks and syndicated talk shows along with print and online media converged on Le Roy in February.

The tics turned out to be the result of pre-existing conditions for many students or conversion disorder for others, which is a response to stress and can be transmitted as a form of mass psychogenic illness.

"The best news of all is that our students are doing well," Cox said today.

The full report, more than 6,000 pages, can be downloaded in a series of eight files linked to the bottom of Cox's statement.

Another of the five defendants rounded up July 9, 2009, as part of a local and federal investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in Genesee County entered a guilty plea today in federal court.

Andrew Chapman, 42, of Batavia, admitted to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute,  methamphetamine.

He faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both.

Chapman received the meth he sold from Donald G. Vanelli II, 49, of Le Roy, who is serving more than 17 years for his role in the sale and distribution of meth locally.

Also charged as a result of the investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, the FBI and the DEA, were David H. Cohen, 51, of 918 Goodman St., Rochester, Donna L. Boon (aka Donna McAuley), 46, of 3658 Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road; and Kerry A. Ball, 53, of 7202 Meadville Road, Basom.

The status of Ball's case was not released, but the case against Cohen is still pending.

Boon's charged related to the initial arrest were later dismissed and Boon proclaimed her innocence, but she was subsequently re-arrested.

Chapman will be sentenced Sept. 17.

Genesee County Economic Development Center has approved the following projects for development incentives:

Batavia Animal Hospital (Perry Vet), 3699 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is constructing a new 6,300-square-foot facility behind its current building. The project will receive a sales tax exemption of $76,960, a mortgage tax exemption of $16,250 and a property tax exemption of $80,994. Perry Vet is investigating $1.733 million in the project. The project will create five new jobs and retain 11 jobs.

Merrill Lynch, 24 Masse Place, Batavia, is moving into new office space. Merrill Lynch is receiving a $13,360 sales tax exemption. The company's total investment is $867,000. The project will create 16 new jobs.

Genesee & Mohawk Railroad - GVT, 100 Evans St., Batavia, is adding a 2,800-square-foot headquarters building next to a 31,000-square-foot transload warehouse constructed in 2008 for $2 million. The headquarters project will receive $13,600 in sales tax exemption, $3,750 mortgage tax exemption and $42,762 property tax exemption.The company is investing $360,000. The project will create two new jobs and retain 19.

Le Roy Motors, 7000 W. Main Road, Le Roy, is expanding its current facility by 2,400 square feet and renovating its interior. Le Roy Motors will receive $33,600 sales tax exemption, $9,375 mortgage tax exemption and a $29,631 property tax exemption. The company is investing $785,000. The project will create three new jobs and retain 35 jobs.

A possible gas leak has been reported at Lapp Insulators, 130 Gilbert St., Le Roy.

The leak is reportedly on the roof.

Le Roy Fire Department is dispatched.

In 1812, the good people who set up shops, homes and farms in a picturesque corner of the State of New York, by proclamation of the State Legislature, separated from the Town of Caledonia and established the Town of Bellona.

The first order of business, raise alms for the poor, then deal with pesky wild and domesticated animals, such as boars, rams and foxes.

The first meeting of the Town of Bellona was reenacted on the same spot in Trigon Park and outside the Memorial Auditorium on Friday.

Less than a year later, Bellona would be known as Le Roy (named after a wealthy New York City businessman whose son settled in the area and built what is now known as the Le Roy House).

Just as 200 years ago, the meeting closed with 13 toasts by the dignitaries in attendance, including Kathy Hochul, Steve Hawley, Mike Ranzenhofer and Stephen Barbeau -- the current town supervisor who presided over the meeting dressed as the town's first supervisor, Dr. William Sheldon, might have been attired.

The chorale performance by students of Holy Family School was an emotional one for parents, who learned just a few days ago that the school would be closing.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photographs, click here.

Three-year-old Sam Stisser of Le Roy, enjoys a juicy, fresh strawberry just off the stem at Duyssen Family Farm in Le Roy. Sam was there to pick strawberries with his mother, Kari, who said she brings her three kids out to the farm a few times during the week during strawberry season.

Below, Carissa Graham, 4, was also out at the farm picking strawberries with her mother.

During my Friday morning drive, I took a turn down Oakta Trail Road and spotted somebody in the creek tying a fly to a leader. I introduced myself to Bill Westfall of Cheektowaga, who said, "Sure, go ahead and take some pictures." In the 15 minutes I hung around, his every cast hit his spot and he did land one small trout. 

I set out early this morning with the idea of taking a particular picture. That picture didn't turn out as I had hoped, but I did drive around a bit. Here are three pictures from that drive.

Above a tree in a field off Nilesville Road, Stafford (and, yes, it's the same tree as sunset picture from yesterday).

The bottom two photos are take from under the Munson Street bridge in Le Roy.

A community drive to try and save Holy Family School in Le Roy has apparently come up short of its goal.

Today, officials released a letter to parents announcing the school's closure.

In November 2011, a plan to merge Holy Family with St. Joe's was announced, but community outcry led diocese officials to give local families a chance to raise enough money and enroll enough new students to keep the doors open.

The diocese agreed to keep Holy Family operational for the 2011-12 school year, giving parents an opportunity to keep the doors open.

The community had some early success in its efforts, but apparently could not meet the final goals.

Below is the letter sent to parents:

Dear Parents,

It is out of deep respect for each of you that we regrettably send this letter in order that you hear this announcement from us.

As you already know, we fell short of the benchmarks that were given to us by the Diocese. It is very important for everyone to understand that both benchmarks were joined together. The first benchmark set was the enrollment and that benchmark gave the dollar amount that was needed so that we could go forward without a deficit. With the present number we have registered for next year and the funds collected we would begin the year with a deficit in excess of $38,000.00. This does not take into account that so many families also request financial/tuition aid. Based on the amount of aid given last year and the amount of tuition money uncollected, our deficit would soar to $58,000.00.

Our School Board met last evening with Steve Timmel who is from the Diocese of Buffalo and a member of the Corporate Board of the School. He informed us that the Diocese could not approve a budget that not only had so great a deficit but also noted the fact that the school is also in debt this year to Our Lady of Mercy Parish for over $100,000.00. As a Corporate Board, they have to exercise fiduciary responsibility for the Diocese, the parishes, and the schools and this Board voted that in conscience they could not let us go forward with so great a deficit and so low an enrollment.

We have many more details to share with you and we both will be taking time to meet with all of you to explain how we go forward and transition – especially with the hope that your children continue in Catholic education at St. Joseph’s School in the Fall. We both pledge our cooperation and full help in seeing this happen. But for now, we wanted to immediately send a letter to you so that you heard this news from us and not the news media or another person.

We understand how very difficult this news is for everyone and we are most grateful to each and every one of you who have prayed and worked so hard to help the school, especially to those of you who contributed countless hours of your time and talent to attend meetings, promote the school, and seek donations.

We will be in touch with you during the weeks ahead concerning our transition program and the help that we will extend to all of our families.

Fr. Michael Rock, O. de M.
Canonical Pastor 

Kevin Robertson
Principal

UPDATE: A press release from the Diocese:

Despite a valiant effort by the local leadership and the surrounding community, Holy Family School in Le Roy will close at the end of the month.

The school was not able to meet benchmarks that were agreed on by the Diocese of Buffalo, the Holy Family Board of Trustees and local leadership last December. Responding to the community, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec agreed to give the community time to rally around the school in an effort to keep it open.

The local leadership established benchmarks. The school needed to register 120 K-8 students and raise $125,000 by the June 1 deadline. To date, 100 students are registered and $110,000 has been raised. The school is currently operating with a significant subsidy from the diocese as well as significant additional support from Our Lady of Mercy Parish.

“The Holy Family community exhibited resounding energy and commitment to keep the school open, viable and sustainable,” said Dr. Rosemary Henry, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the diocese, "but only enrolled 93 students for next year, falling short of the 120 K-8 benchmark. Such low enrollment and serious financial challenges may affect the educational environment for students, compromise the ability to meet payroll for teachers and impact the future viability of the school. We are all grateful for the energy, dedication and effort by the Le Roy community and for the leadership and ministry by Father Michael Rock, canonical administrator, and Kevin Robertson, principal.

“We are saddened to see this school close after many years of a rich tradition of excellence but we know that the legacy of the school will live on through its current students and alumni.”

Current PreK (4)-7 students enrolled at Holy Family School will receive a one-time $500 tuition credit from the diocese that can be applied to any Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Buffalo for the 2012-13 school year.

In addition, funds have been set aside to operate a bus from LeRoy to St. Joseph School in Batavia, which will welcome Holy Family students.

Founded in 1889, Holy Family School has a current K-8 enrollment of 100 students. This marks a decline of 39 percent, or 63 students, in total enrollment since 2003. The school has 14 full- and part-time employees. The diocesan departments of Catholic Schools and Human Resources will work with faculty members to assist them with possible placement in other Catholic schools.

Rodney L. McKenzie, 47, of Orangeville, is charged with two counts of menacing, including a count that alleges the use of a weapon. McKenzie was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 11:20 a.m., Sunday, in the Town of Alabama. No further details were release.

Paul H. Burch, 32, of Townline Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Burch was stopped by Le Roy Police Saturday in the Village of Le Roy.

Roger K. Rumble, 27, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, refusal to take a breath test and speeding. Rumble was stopped by Le Roy Police Saturday in the Village of Le Roy.

Marche La'Shon Brown, 26, of Doran Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Brown was stopped at 3:15 a.m. Sunday on Route 98, Batavia, by Deputy Matt Fleming.

Coretta Melissa Pitts, 44, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Pitts was allegedly at the residence of a person she was ordered not to contact.

Jeffery M. Johnson, 24, no permanent address, is charged with menacing, 3rd. He was arrested by State Police for an incident reported at 11:27 a.m. Sunday in Oakfield. Johnson was held in jail.

Jerod P. Norcross, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Norcross was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 3:50 p.m., April 11, in Alexander.

Michael J. McCarthy, 24, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and inadequate plate lamp. McCarthy was stopped by State Police at 2:35 a.m. Saturday in the Town of Batavia.