Jackie Whiting, who has served on the Le Roy Central School District Board of Education since 2011, was elected to another term as president of the board at the board's reorganization meeting on Tuesday.
At the start of the meeting, all school board members, Superintendent Merritt Holley, and Clerk Lori Wrobel took their oaths of office.
The 2024-25 board and their terms of office:
Jacalyn Whiting, president, 2011-2026
Denise Duthe, vice president, 2023-2026
Christine Dowell, trustee, 2019-2024
Peter Loftus, trustee, 2016-2025
Rachael Greene, trustee, 2022-2025
Jason Karcher, trustee, 2022-2024
William MacKenzie, trustee, 2018-2024
Le Roy Board of Education: William MacKenzie, Jason Karcher, Jackie Whiting, Denise Duthe, Christine Dowell, Rachael Greene,and Pete Loftus Photo by Howard Owens.
2023 File Photo of Oatka Festival parade in Le Roy by Howard Owens.
As organizers head into the 34th annual Oatka Festival, this year will bring a heartening measure meant to honor a former longtime parade chairman and add another layer of tradition for festivals to come.
There will be a new banner in memory of Robert “Sully” Sullivan, carried by his family members, as part of the walk from the American Legion to the front of the old high school and Trigon Park. The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in Le Roy.
Robert "Sully" Sullivan
“Sully made the parade a big deal because it starts off the festival, he really worked hard for people to come together and enjoy it,” Parade Chairman Scott Ripley said to The Batavian about the late Robert Sullivan. “He didn’t take any feedback, it was do it the Sully way … not telling anybody what to do until the day of the parade. When Sully said something, it was done and that’s the way it went.”
While that might sound like a stubborn leader, his system actually worked well, Ripley said, because telling groups where they were stationed ahead of time allowed them time to argue or debate, vying for different spots in the lineup.
Sullivan commanded a type of respect that participants honored throughout his two decades or so of being at the helm of the festival parade.
Sully was also a straight shooter; maybe that came from his days of coaching football. The banner was colored with black and red, “very basic,” event Chair Kate Flint said, as “he wasn’t very frilly, but he was very unique and genuine.”
“He was chairman from the very beginning until 2021,” Flint said. “He always wanted to throw the best and biggest parade ever.”
He was also a tad old-fashioned, eschewing texts for talking to people by phone to communicate. It was all for the greater good, Ripley said.
“He started with the parade around 1990; he wanted to help the festival be the best it could be,” Ripley said. “He was with the Mighty St. Joe’s marching band, and he could get more bands.”
Sullivan was a longtime director of both St. Joe’s Drum & Bugle Corps and Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps and Drum Corps Associates Hall of Fame. His musical roots also traveled to Batavia, where he was a 1950 Batavia High School graduate and later a 2019 BHS Music Hall of Fame inductee.
Ripley caught Sully’s eye while serving as announcer for Le Roy’s Little League, and he was tapped to help out with the parade in 2018. He continued forward, taking on the chairman position a few years ago.
Sullivan died in May 2022, and Ripley has taken a page or two out of his success manual, adding on to this year’s parade with the Buffalo Bills official drumline DownBeat Percussion, lining up eight Genesee County bands and eight floats from Le Roy class reunions, from 1964 to 2004.
Even unlikely participants have joined, such as car and gutter cleaning businesses, a roof siding establishment, Five Star Bank, and Geneseo Air Museum will have a replica airplane float.
Old favorites are returning, including the Shriners and their tiny cars, he said.
“I’m trying to make it so Sully would be proud,” Ripley said.
Ducks are to return to the water in Le Roy for this year's Oatka Festival as one of many new elements to the 34th annual event, organizers say. 2014 File Photo by Howard Owens
While some events come and go, others such as the Oatka Festival just keep on returning — and growing — year after year. Spoiler alert: The array of edible treats this year has been significant enough to compete for event Chair Kate Flint’s attention.
“I’m so excited about the food,” Flint said during an interview with The Batavian. “We have 12 food vendors; we only had seven last year.”
Waffles are making a comeback, and there will be hotdogs, hamburgers, taffy, lemonade, cotton candy, french fries, Italian sausage, salt potatoes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, beef on weck, pizza, bratwurst, funnel cakes, kettle corn, chicken barbecue, ice cream, bubble tea and baked goods.
This year's festival lands in Le Roy Saturday and Sunday.
Also new to accommodate this gastronomical bounty, organizers are carving out a food niche all its own so that all food vendors will be in one central area and not separated as in past years, she said.
There are “a ton of arts and crafts vendors,” or more specifically, a respectable 79 vendors with everything from woodwork and jewelry to traditional crafts that make festival-shopping so much fun.
The library will be running its annual book sale, and the local churches are collaborating for an ecumenical service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday under the big tent. That typically draws about 25 people, and Flint would “like to see it grow,” she said.
What’s her favorite part, aside from all of the flavorful treats?
“I just like watching it grow and the community come together and support it and it’s a fun weekend,” she said. “And all of the food vendors (mostly nonprofits) use it as a fundraiser, it’s usually their biggest fundraiser of the year.”
Last year was a learning curve for many first-time volunteers, she said, and now “everyone’s grown into their positions.”
“I think it’s growing in the right direction. We’ve got a lot this year, and I think it can keep getting bigger each year,” she said. “I’m a transplant, from Pavilion, but I used to come to the festival as a kid, it has always been a great festival … I’d like to see it all the way up Main Street one day.”
Other festival activities include:
The parade is set for 11 a.m. Saturday (see related article), and the car cruise is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday on Wolcott Street.
Oatka Creek Children’s Fishing Derby is from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday for age groups from under 4, 4 to 6; 7 to 9; 10 to 12 and 13 to 15. Winners of each group and drawings will be announced at 1 p.m.
Our Space Yoga & Wellness will be offering a yoga class at 9 a.m. Sunday.
There will be a scavenger hunt — get a worksheet at the table next to the kids entertainment tent and find the nine images on your sheet around the kid’s areas on the festival grounds. Once you find a picture, write the password below the picture on the worksheet and return it to the table where you got it from. Winners will be drawn at 5 p.m. Saturday: two winners of age 8 and under and two 9 and above.
All of the bands are new, Flint said, and will be on the Main Stage and gazebo.
The lineup for Saturday:
Noon to 2 p.m. is Remedy Three on the main stage and Lambert-Iten at the gazebo
2 to 3 p.m. Funk Yard Brass Band on the Steps
3 to 5 p.m. Matt Seidel Band on the main stage and The Pearlz Band at the gazebo
On Sunday:
10 to 11 a.m. Knight n Gaels on the main stage and Swinging Knights at the gazebo
Noon to 2 p.m. Grove Street on the main stage and Mood Swing Duo at the gazebo
2 to 3 p.m. Warren Paul on the steps
3 to 5 p.m. Batavia Swing Band on the main stage and Side Project at the gazebo
The children’s Free Play area will feature water and sand tables; bubbles and chalk; coloring, boondoggle, and bracelet making; yard games.
Kid events will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, including an inflatable obstacle course and bounce house, Mr. Scribbles, mini golf and the Free Play area.
Face painting and hair tinsel will go from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and the scavenger hunt will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
As if that’s not enough, Mega Bubble Man is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m., Emmalee’s Memories Princess Show from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. and the Prehistoric World Reptile Show from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. all on Saturday.
Sunday will serve up The Art of Many from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 2 to 6 and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for ages 7 and up (pre-register for these); Cara Weinman is offering a dance/movement class from 1 to 1:30 p.m., Emmalee’s Memories superhero show from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. and a magic show from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Duck Pluck will return to the water this year, and that’s set for 5 p.m. Sunday.
Good news for all of you walkers and runners, the free Oatka 5K is back. It’s set for 8 a.m. Saturday.
As the first-year manager for Le Roy Farmers Market, Andres Manamon is eager to share the bounty with folks looking to shop for anything from fresh produce and scrumptious cookies to honey, pasture-raised meats, flowers, cider, organic breads, desserts and more every weekend.
The market runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays (except during the Oaktka Music Festival) until Oct. 5 at Trigon Park on Main Street, Le Roy.
“On average, 350 to 400 people visit the market,” Manamon said Monday, promoting the addition of four new vendors. “We have live music and food trucks.”
The new vendors are Bubby’s Breads of Attica, with home-baked, assorted organic breads, sweet rolls and “she also makes bear claws and wonderful stuff;" That Little Roadside Stand of Attica, featuring pies made with fresh and local ingredients “that are out of this world;" Wright’s Homestead from Bergen selling eggs and country knickknacks, rice bags and such; and The Painted Pixie from Batavia, serving up a little face-painting entertainment.
He is looking for a fresh produce vendor to fill a spot, so if there are any fruit growers out there thinking it’s too late, good news: Le Roy has space after a vendor pulled out for the Hamburg market.
Originally from Massachusetts, Manamon has taken some time to get to this point in his life and career. He traveled the world as a merchant marine engineer and lived for ten years in Long Beach, Calif.
“A long time ago, my great-grandfather had a farm, and when I was a kid, I visited him in Pennsylvania, where he grew up. And I just enjoyed being on the farm with him,” Manamon said. “And then I was working for a small oil company, I was a marine engineer, merchant marine, I sailed for a little bit. And then I just kind of got sick of it, and I just enjoyed being outside working on the land, as opposed to being shoved in an engine room. Or hopping on a barge and tugboats. It was something that I think in the back of my mind was there, but then one day I just decided, and my wife backed me up.”
With the support of his wife, they packed up and moved to Pavilion, where they own and operate Peas and Harmony Farm. Monday meant cleaning garlic and watching their three children, a 5-year-old girl and two 4-year-old boys, which is a nice outdoorsy change of pace, he said.
He began working at the market four years ago and was given the managerial role when Mary Margaret Ripley stepped away to spend more time with his family after building the market into a successful longtime venue.
Other vendors include Casper’s and Garner’s Farms, which each sell pasture-raised meats; Petals and Flour with home-baked cookies and flower arrangements; Locust Oak Farms Apiaries with honey, honey stix and skin care products; Tree Hugger Hard Cider; Oatka Creek Farm with produce; Carousel Cookies; Yummy’s Ice Cream; Rooted in Joy produce, baked good and cut flowers; Bec’s Bath & Body Boutique; and Manamon’s own farm, with fresh vegetables and fruits.
To contact him for a spot at the market, email leroyfarmersmarket@yahoo.com or call 562-400-0398.
Statement from Le Roy Superintendent Merritt Holly:
We are excited to announce that LeRoy Central School District has been approved to provide free summer meals to all kids 18 and under in our community. Attached to the bottom of this email is the flyer that will be posted around town and in the Genesee Valley Pennysaver. You can use the QR code on the flyer or the google form link https://forms.gle/rAjaSexjfiUUrBxi7 to pre-register for meal pick up.
Here are some important facts about our Summer Food Service Program:
1. Meal pick up will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30-12:30 at the Wolcott Street School Main Office Entrance from July 9 - August 15
*Tuesday pick up will provide 2 days breakfast and 2 days lunch for each child
*Thursday pick up will provide 3 days breakfast and 3 days lunch for each child
*Children attending LeRoy Summer Academy may bring their food home with them at the end of their school day
*Home delivery is not available
2. All children ages 0-18 are eligible to receive free meals this summer
*School enrollment is not required
*Children from surrounding communities are eligible to receive free meals if their town is not providing them
*Children may pick up meals for themselves, a parent/guardian may pick up meals for their children, or a parent/guardian designated adult may pick up for a child
*Please do no pick up for multiple families in your neighborhood. We are required to keep a roster with designated pick up information
4. Our summer meals will contain your child's school year favorites including fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, 100% fruit juice, and NY state dairy products
*All meals will require no preparation and will be ready to eat or only need a short time in the microwave
*Medically documented food allergies will be accommodated
*Menus are available on Nutrislice. Please use the menu link on the school website Quick Links or food service page. https://leroycsd.nutrislice.com/
Please contact Melissa Saunders at 585-768-5509 or email msaunders@leroycsd.org with any questions or concerns. We hope to see you this summer!
Student Speaker Owen Williams Photo by Howard Owens.
Le Roy's Class of 2024, 94 graduates strong, received words of encouragement and advice from the commencement speakers: life is hard at times, so embrace happiness, look to the future with a positive attitude, and face life with courage.
"I encourage each of you to make choices that will lead you to the experiences that will help you live your life to the absolute fullest," said Principal David Russell in his opening remarks. "Living your life to the fullest will look differently for everyone here. But I hope that each of you can find whatever experiences bring you the most joy and you embrace them."
Board of Education President Jacalyn Whiting advised the graduates that their future hinges on "attitude." Attitude, she said will determine whether they succeed or fail. It will determine their priorities, their actions, and their values.
"Life is not always easy and presents many challenges," Whiting said. "We can't always control the people, events or circumstances that surround us, but we can control the way we choose to react to them. As you continue your journey, focus on what you can control. Maintain a positive attitude. Encourage and support those around you. Be an optimistic thinker. Lean on your friends and family when you need support, develop and maintain a hopeful outlook for your future."
The class selected Michael Battaglia as the faculty speaker.
Battaglia first noted how fortunate the students are to be part of a community like Le Roy. On Friday night, top-achieving students received more than $125,000 in scholarships to assist with college or trade school.
"That awesome amount of money I just mentioned is because you had the fortunate opportunity to grow up in a community and the school community that cares about you and your success," Battaglia said. "No matter where you go or what you're doing in life, remember that the people in Le Roy are always here for you."
He encouraged the students to seek happiness and embrace happiness when they have it in their grasp.
"While it sounds simple, I hope you find happiness," Battaglia said. "And when you do, whether in your career, your relationships, where you choose to live, hold on to it when you find it. We all fail and make mistakes. Don't be afraid to make a mistake or experience failure. We've all been there. Don't fear them. But embrace the opportunities in your life that make you happy."
Now that Le Roy is on the "laud system," or as Russell referred to it in his remarks, the "Latin system," this is the first graduating class in Le Roy without a valedictorian and salutatorian speakers. Any student could apply for the student speaker roles, with the entire class voting on who the two speakers would be.
The speakers were Aubree Feeley and Owen Williams.
Feeley addressed much of her comments to the graduates who aren't being recognized as top of the class, congratulating them on their contributions to the school by being part of the community, showing up every day and participating.
Getting through high school is hard for everybody, she said. It's a lot of work. A lot of stress. It's classes and sports and musicals and other activities.
"All of these moments have brought us to the next step in our lives," Feeley said. "We have already achieved so much. So it's all the graduates, whether you are in the spotlight or not, know that your hard work is recognized that our dedication and perseverance are an inspiration to us all."
Williams said graduation marks the culmination of 13 years in school, making friends, progressing through the grades, the struggles, wins and losses that come along with that progression. Life is going to be very different from this point forward. There won't always be that sense of progression. There will be struggles and disappointments. He told his classmates to be true to themselves.
"Be true to your passions," Williams said. "Be true to your friends. Be true to your family, and live your life how you want it to be lived. Do what makes you feel fulfilled. Do what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy. Follow your heart, and you will find purpose."
After all of the diplomas were distributed, Superintendent Merritt Holly delivered some closing remarks. He provided inspirational quotes from fictional characters and expounded on what the lessons the students could learn.
"Courage begins by trusting yourself," Holly said, quoting Yoda.
"To be successful in the military, the workforce or college, you must believe in yourself more than you ever have," Holly said. "When faced with the challenge, and moments that lie ahead for you, believe in and trust in yourself. You will have the courage and strength to face life's challenges."
Student Speaker Aubree Feeley Photo by Howard Owens.
Board of Education President Jacalyn Whiting Photo by Howard Owens.
Senior members of the Choir and Band perform Billy Joel's "Vienna." Photo by Howard Owens.
Tom Feeley during the recognition of military veterans. Photo by Howard Owens.
Kira Ryan and Anna Long, performed Abba's "Slipping Through My Finders" while graduates delivered carnations to parents and family members. Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Camden P. Baris, graduating with Cum Laude honors, receiving his diploma from Principal David Russell. Photo by Howard Owens.
Noelle Bovee, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors Photo by Howard Owens.
Nathan Yauchzee, a resident of Le Roy was one of 141 SUNY Potsdam student-athletes to earn a spot on the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll for the 2023-24 school year, the conference announced.
Yauchzee is a freshman member of the SUNY Potsdam Men's Track and Field team and a Music Business major. Athletes named to the academic honor roll had a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA for the year.
There were 2,434 SUNY Cortland students recognized for academic excellence on the university's Dean's List for the Spring 2024 semester.
The Dean's List is the highest ranking for undergraduate students in their respective academic areas of the university. Students must earn a minimum 3.3 grade point average for the semester to make the list.
Each of SUNY Cortland's three schools publishes its own Dean's List. They are the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Professional Studies and the School of Education.
Among those honored are:
Gaige Armbrewster of Batavia - Major: Physical Education K-12
Jocelyn Coburn of Batavia - Major: Musical Theatre
Kaylie Kratz of Batavia - Major: Inclusive Early Child Edu(B-2)
Allie Schwerthoffer of Batavia - Major: Healthcare Management
Riley Wood of Le Roy - Major: Speech & Hearing Science
Karlee Zinkievich of Pavilion - Major: Physical Education K-12
SUNY New Paltz is proud to congratulate Lucia Sprague of Le Roy for being named to the Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester. Well done!
Dean's List designation is reserved for students who excel academically and earn at least a 3.3 grade-point average in a semester with a full-time course load.
Tacarie M. Broadbent, 18, of Batavia, was arrested on May 23 on a warrant. He is charged with menacing 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 4th, criminal mischief 4th, obstruction of governmental administration 2nd, and assault 2nd. The warrant stemmed from an incident reported on May 3. Broadbent was accused of threatening another person with a knife. When police arrived on scene, he allegedly attacked and injured responding officers. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed.
Jennifer Moore, 38, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, inadequate muffler, and insufficient tail lamp. Akeem Gibson, 34, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. A vehicle driven by Moore was stopped by deputies at 1:45 a.m. on June 1 in the area of Park Road and Oak Street, Batavia. During the traffic stop, deputies requested the assistance of Officer Stephen Quider and K-9 Batu, Batavia PD. As a result of the investigation, Moore and Gibson were accused of possessing a large quantity of narcotics. Moore and Gibson were held pending arraignment.
Norman P. Michael, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, tampering with physical evidence, and construction of governmental administration. Michael was arrested on May 27 after an officer working with the Neighborhood Enforcement Team allegedly witnessed Michael make a drug transaction. Michael allegedly fled from the officer and that he threw a large quantity of narcotics down a storm drain. The police did not release whether the drugs were recovered. Michael was arraigned in City Court.
Paul Harrison Pelton-Wibbe, 26, of Lewiston Road, is charged with criminal possession of a firearm or knife. At 6:35 p.m. on May 30, deputies were dispatched to the town of Alabama. The nature of the call is redacted from the press release. The suspect, Pelton-Wibbe, reportedly left on a bicycle prior to the deputies arriving. he was located but allegedly refused to stop for deputies. He was taken into custody after an alleged brief struggle. A search allegedly revealed his possession of a 4 Kung Fu Stars. A further section of the press release was redacted. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Rachel A. Baehr, 37, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Baehr is accused of not returning a friend's dog she was caring for. She allegedly sold the dog to another person. Baehr was issued an appearance ticket.
Michael D. Strobele, 46, of Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Strobele is accused of attempting to smuggle methamphetamine into the UMMC emergency room on Sept. 23. Strobele was arrested on May 21 and issued an appearance ticket.
Samuel R. Blackshear, 23, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd and endangering the welfare of a child. Blackshear is accused of fighting and causing injury to another person while in the presence of a child. Blackshear was arraigned in City Court and was released.
Nathan W. Campbell, 43, of Batavia, is charged with burglary and petit larceny. Campbell is accused of stealing merchandise from Tops on May 11 after previously being barred from the property. He was arraigned and released. Campbell was arrested again on May 23 on a trespass charge for allegedly entering Tops again. He was issued an appearance ticket. On May 17, Campbell allegedly entered a church on East Main Street where he had been previously ordered not to enter. He was charged with trespass and issued an appearance ticket. He allegedly entered the same church again and was charged again. He was also charged with open alcoholic container in public. He was again issued an appearance ticket and released.
Alicia M. Lyons, 44, of Batavia, was arrested on May 14 on seven warrants. She is charged with resisting arrest after allegedly failing to appear in court on seven prior charges and fighting with an officer when the officer attempted to take her into custody in the warrants. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held in jail.
Nancy L. Lawrence, 72, of Batavia, is charged with soliciting alms. Lawrence is accused of being in the area of M&T Bank asking people for money. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Alice E. Torres, 59, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Torres is accused of hitting another person during a fight on Woodrow Road on May 12. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Katie L. Farewell, 35, of Batavia, is charged with unnecessary noise. Farewell is accused of playing loud music on May 11 in violation of Batavia Municipal Code. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Ronald W. Ball, 58, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd and harassment 2nd. Ball is accused of entering another person's residence without permission and striking and shoving that person. He was arraigned and released.
Valeria A. Antonetty, 43, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Antonetty was charged following a vehicle accident on May 11 in the drive-thru of McDonald's on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Paul W. Schwandt, 56, of Alexander, is charged with DWI. Schwandt was allegedly involved in a fight in the McDonald's parking lot on East Main Street on May 11. He was arraigned and released.
Michael C. Mirabal, 51, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on May 15. He was initially charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs on Dec. 8. He allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Jennifer L. Allegue, 52, of Batavia, was arrested on May 14 on a warrant. Allegue was initially charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd, after a traffic stop on Jan. 25. The warrant was issued after she allegedly failed to appear in court. Allegue was arraigned and released.
Garret J. Walker, 21, of West Seneca, is charged with DWI. Walker was stopped on May 7 on West Main Street by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Douglas G. Goodwin, 33, of Basom, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st. Goodwin is accused of driving a motorcycle in the city of Batavia on May 26 while his driver's license was restricted by more than 10 suspensions. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
Alvin E. Way, 63, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Way was arrested on May 18, accused of entering a residence on River Street in violation of an order of protection. He was arraigned and jailed.
Steven J. Godinho, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Godinho was arrested on May 17, accused of damaging a TV during a fight on Richmond Avenue. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Donald D. Ryan, 40, of Pembroke, and Melvin G. Draper, 40, of Pembroke, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Ryan and Draper were reportedly in a vehicle stopped for an alleged infraction on May 22 in the city of Batavia. K-9 Officer Stephen Quider and K-9 Batu were requested to the scene. After a positive alert, police searched the vehicle and reportedly located a quantity of narcotics. Ryan and Draper were issued appearance tickets.
Alena N. Burr, 23, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Burr is accused of pushing a Batavia patrol officer on May 19 during a disturbance at a residence on South Main Street. Burr was issued an appearance ticket.
Kevin Q. Thomas, 35, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on May 22. He is charged with criminal trespass 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and harassment 2nd. Thomas is accused of entering a residence on Feb. 10 and fighting with another person in the presence of a child. He was arraigned and released.
Justin M. Wotherspoon, 27, of Batavia, was charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Wotherspoon was arrested on May 22 and accused of violating an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Amanda L Dennis, 43, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dennis is accused of shoplifting at Tops. She was issued an appearance ticket.
John W Biasell, 55, of Batavia, and Bill A. Thomas, 64, of Batavia, are charged with open containers in public. They were charged on May 16. They were allegedly found in the Peace Garden with open alcoholic beverage containers. They were issued appearance tickets.
Peter C. Ayala, 59, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Ayala was stopped on May 17 on School Street by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued several tickets and released.
Alice E. Torres, 59, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Torres is accused of punching and kicking another person at a residence on Woodrow Road on May 12. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Michele A. Struzyk, 64, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4 and two counts of harassment 2nd. Struzyk is accused of hitting another person and of damaging property during a fight on Richmond Avenue on May 16. Struzyk is accused of intentionally slamming a door into a responding officer. She was arraigned in City Court and released.
Michael S. Mault, 29, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol. Mault was stopped on June 8 for allegedly speeding. He was issued traffic tickets and released.
Jeremy Lyons, 39, of Mount Morris, was arrested on a warrant on May 18. On April 28, he was charged with DWI. A warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. Lyons was arraigned and released.
William E. Tolliver, 61, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Tolliver was stopped on June 10 by a Batavia patrol officer on Washingto Avenue on possible vehicle and traffic law violations. He was issued traffic tickets and released.
Jacob W. Patterson, 28, of Batavia, was arrested on June 7 on a warrant. Patterson was located by a Batavia patrol officer in the area of Jackson Street and Central Avenue. When the officer attempted to stop him, he allegedly ran from police. He was taken into custody in the back yard of a residence on Dawson Place. He was arraigned and released.
Ryan A. Maxwell, 20 of Batavia, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd. Maxwell is accused of punching a male and slapping a female during an argument in Austin Park on June 6. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Michael S. Mattern, 50, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd and trespass. Mattern is accused of refusing to leave a business on June 7 and attempting to punch an employee. He was arraigned and released.
John T. Grande, 54, of Buffalo, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. He was arrested June 5. Following an investigation by a Batavia police officer, Grande was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle on April 22 under the influence of marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Danny J. Torok, 37, of Rochester, was arrested on a warrant on June 7. Torok allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered on a driving while ability impaired by drugs charge. Torok entered to a guilty plea and was sentenced to 15 days in jail.
Dannie J. Sims, 68, of Albion, is charged with grand larceny 4th and petit larceny. He is also charged in a separate incident with petit larceny and harassment 2nd. Sims is accused of stealing a wallet from a customer at Tops. He was arrested on May 31 when he returned to Tops and was identified as the suspected thief after allegedly stealing merchandise from the store. Sims was issued an appearance ticket.
Paul W. Schwandt, 56, of Alexander, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and menacing 2nd. Schwandt is accused of threatening another person with a golf club during a confrontation on East Main Street on June 3. He was arraigned and released.
Mark A. Remington, 50, of Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to register, 2nd offense. He was arrested on May 30. Remington is a registered sex offender. It’s alleged that Remington possessed an unregistered social media account and phone number. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.
Benjamin G. Evans, 35, of Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Evans was charged on May 30 after patrol officers reportedly observed him riding a bicycle. They attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant, but Evans allegedly fled from police on his bike. He was eventually taken into custody in the backyard of a residence on State Street. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Jeanna M. Hattaway, 37, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hattaway is accused of shoplifting from Family Dollar on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Christopher William Fowler, 35, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI. Fowler was stopped at 7:23 on May 15 on Pearl Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Sean Michael Conway, 47, of Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operator, and unlicensed driver. Conway was stopped at 10:38 a.m. on May 17 by Deputy Jenna Ferrando on West Main Street Road, Batavia. He was held pending arraignment.
Brandon J. March, 39, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. March is accused of using the Genesee County Jail 13 times to call a person he was ordered by a court to not contact. He was arrested on May 12 and held pending arraignment.
Jason W. Warner, 42, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Warner was stopped on May 31 for allegedly running a red light. She is accused of driving while intoxicated and also having switched plates on her vehicle. She was arraigned and released.
James Carl Malone, 27, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Malone is accused of striking a woman with an open hand during a disagreement at 6:45 a.m. on May 31 at a location on Clinton Street Road. He is also accused of scratching the woman on her chest. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Ryan Philip-Harrison Clarke, 34, of North Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Clarke is accused of throwing objects at a moving vehicle on West Main Street, Le Roy, at 2:02 p.m. on June 3. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Layliana Monet Shine, 19, of Albion, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and harassment 2nd. Shine was charged following an incident reported at 9:18 a.m. on June 8 on Pratt Road, Batavia. She was held pending arraignment.
Laurie A. Pearse, 53, of Gabbey Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal possession of a firearm 2nd, grand larceny 4th, and falsely reporting an incident. Peare was arrested on June 5 for allegedly stealing a firearm from a location in Pembroke. She is also accused of calling 9-1-1 to make a false report of a domestic incident to obtain a police response. Pearse was held pending arraignment.
Mark David Heidenreich, 34, of Colony Run, Attica, is charged with harassment 2nd. Heidenreich is accused of threatening to beat somebody up at 2:30 p.m. on June 9 at a location on Hyde Park in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Allyson Paige Lawrence, 29, no fixed address, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Lawrence was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine at 1:30 a.m. on June 3 on Veterans Memorial Drive. The narcotic was allegedly found in her purse during a custody search. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Jordan Richard Rose, 23, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Rose is accused of violating an order of protection on April 21 on Prole Road, Stafford. He was arrested on June 10. He was arraigned and released under supervision.
Christopher George Mayorga, 48, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon 4th. He is accused of possessing on June 13 two shotguns and a rifle as a convicted felon. He was held pending arraignment.
Danny Devon Williams, 35, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd. Williams is accused of fighting at 3 p.m. on June 11 in the Genesee County Jail, resulting in an injury to another inmate. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Marissa Bea Torres, 33, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Torres is accused of breaking the windshield of a vehicle during an argument at 11:11 a.m. on June 18 at a location on Park Road, Batavia. There were allegedly two children in the victim's car at the time. She is also accused of possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Andres Manuel Cabrera, 29, of Pershing Parkway, Mineola, is charged with obstructing government administration, driving left of pavement markings, unsafe passing, making a U-turn on a grade or curve, and signaling illegally from a parked position. Cabrera is accused of fleeing from a traffic stop at 8:21 on June 15. He eventually stopped on Route 5 at Boyce Road. He allegedly refused to leave the vehicle and locked the doors. He was arrested, processed at the Genesee County Jail, and released on an appearance ticket.
The following local students were named to the University at Buffalo's spring 2024 dean's list:
Aaron Bacon of Basom
Cameron Carlson of Bergen
Jack Conti of Corfu
Bonnie Edwards of Batavia
Lydia Evans of Batavia
Katarina Luker of Alexander
Ryan Meides of Darien Center
John Panepento of Le Roy
Ryan Pfeiffer of Corfu
Evan Preston of Batavia
Adeena Riedel of Batavia
Tyler Sanders of Corfu
Annie Slenker of Alexander
Kailyn Tresco of Le Roy
UB is New York State's flagship and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system.
"Our undergraduate dean's list students have dedicated themselves to exemplary work in and out of the classroom," Ann Bisantz, dean of undergraduate education, says. "It's an honor to acknowledge these students and celebrate their accomplishments with the entire university community."
UB named 4,000 students named to its spring 2024 dean's list.
To qualify for the dean's list, full-time undergraduate students must demonstrate academic excellence by earning a grade point average of at least 3.600 while completing a minimum of 15 or more UB credit hours, of which 12 are graded (A-F) credits. Students are named to the dean's list at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
Emily Overacker of Le Roy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Nazareth University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education during the 97th Commencement ceremony on campus at the Golisano Training Center on Saturday, May 18.
Susan Hartrick, board member and scholarship committee member; Rosalie Maguire-Simon, secretary and committee member; Ron Chrzanowski, VP and committee chair; Anna Long and Julie Long. Photo by Howard Owens.
Anna Long, a senior at Le Roy High School, is the 2024 William F. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship winner.
The Jerome Foundation administers the scholarship, which is worth $1,000 a year for four years. Genesee County seniors who are planning to major in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations are eligible for the scholarship.
Long plans to attend Syracuse University, joining the Newhouse School of Journalism, majoring in magazine, news, and digital journalism.
The scholarship honors the late Brown, a local journalist and author, one-time owner of WBTA, as well as a community leader and volunteer.
In school, she's been named to the National Honor Society and participates in the music council, senior high chorus, school musicals, jazz, varsity basketball and varsity tennis.
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Botts-Fiorito Unit 576 proudly presented the American Legion Auxiliary Youth Good Deed Award to Le Roy resident and high school senior Sundae Duyssen.
Duyssen is known locally for her charitable work, including a highly successful toy drive for Golisano Children’s Hospital, along with fundraisers and other support for the Le Roy Village Green, Genesee County Animal Shelter, LeRoy Food Pantry and the Salvation Army.
An advocate for inclusivity, Duyssen recently wrote a children’s book titled, “Willow’s Wheel Life”.
Good Deed Award winners must be nominated by American Legion Auxiliary members and demonstrate a leadership role in community service. The National Committee for Children and Youth of the American Legion Auxiliary reviews nominations and issues a certificate to those who qualify.
The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 727 students to the President's List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Spring 2024 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by President Dr. Suzanne Smith.
To achieve the honor of being on the President's List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
The students included:
Wyatt Calcote of Le Roy, whose major is Music Performance
Lydia Geiger of Batavia, whose major is Music Education
Nate Yauchzee of Le Roy, whose major is Music Business
The Genesee County Office for the Aging (OFA) is pleased to announce the distribution schedule of Farmer's Market Coupons. These coupons allow eligible older adults to access fresh, locally-grown produce at participating farmers' markets.
To qualify, individuals must be 60 years or older and have an income at or below $2,322 per month for a one-person household, $3,152 per month for a two-person household, or $3,981 per month for a three-person household.
The OFA encourages all eligible seniors to take advantage of these opportunities. If you reside in senior housing, please look for a flyer at your location with specific details on when the Office for the Aging will visit.
The schedule for July 2024 is as follows:
Tuesday, July 2: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
Friday, July 5: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
Saturday, July 6: 9 - 11 a.m. at Le Roy Farmers’ Market, Trigon Park, Le Roy
Thursday, July 11: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
Friday, July 12: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
Monday, July 15: 4 - 6 p.m. at Corfu Farmers’ Market, Corfu Presbyterian Church Parking Lot
Friday, July 19: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
Saturday, July 20: 9 - 11 a.m. at Le Roy Farmers’ Market, Trigon Park, Le Roy
Thursday, July 25: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
Friday, July 26: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Genesee Country Farmers’ Market, School St., Batavia
Wednesday, July 31: 2 - 4 p.m. at Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
For any questions or further information, please contact the Genesee County Office for the Aging at 585- 343-1611.
Photo of (left to right): Cathy Christopher - Club Scholarship Committee, Lucy MacKenzie - Club Scholarship Committee, Robert Kifowit - Club Scholarship Committee, Rachel Smith, Mary Smith(mother), Lana Bradbury - Club Member. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
The Town & Country Garden Club of Le Roy is pleased to announce that the recipient of the club's 2024 Scholarship is Rachel Smith, LeRoy Junior Senior High School Class of 2024. The Club’s Scholarship Committee selected Rachel to receive the scholarship based on her scholastic achievements and volunteer service relating to preserving the environment.
“The committee was impressed by Rachel’s involvement in roadside cleanup, cemetery restoration, and recycling projects that started while she was still in grade school,” said Lucy MacKenzie, Scholarship Committee Chair.
Rachel’s interest in the environment was fostered by family outings to nearby gardens and state parks. Rachel gives credit to family friend and Garden Club member Lana Bradbury who, with her late husband Jack, shared appreciation for nature through wildflower study and bird watching. Rachel will attend R.I.T. to study in the field of Bio-Med Sciences and plans to participate in environmental activities sponsored by the school.
The Town and Country Garden Club of Le Roy is a community service organization that plants and maintains several gardens and displays throughout town. For more information about the Garden Club, visit https://linktr.ee/leroynygardenclub or see our Facebook page @GardenClubLeRoyNY.
Le Roy resident Ellie Dambra has been named to the President's List at James Madison University for the spring 2024 semester.
Students who earn president's list honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a GPA of 3.900 or above. Dambra is majoring in Public Administration - BS.
The Genesee County Highway Department is announcing the commencement of the first round of NOVA Chip Paving on Monday. This project will enhance road surfaces across several vital routes, improving driving conditions and extending the life of local roadways.
Schedule and Locations:
Perry Road (Pavilion/LeRoy):
June 3 - 4: Route 20 to Route 19
June 5 - 6: Route 20 to Route 63
Linden Road (Bethany):
June 10 - 11: Bethany Center/Linden intersection to Silver/Linden intersection
Brookville Road (Alexander):
June 12 - 13: Brookville/Creek intersection to Brookville/Route 20 intersection
June 17 - 20: Dodgeson/Halstead intersection to Sumner/Harper intersection
Weather permitting, the entire project is expected to be completed by June 20.
Road Closures and Access:
During work hours (Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. - 4 p.m.), the affected roads will be closed to through traffic. Emergency responders will be able to pass through the work zones as needed.
Local schools, including Le Roy School, Pavilion School, Alexander School, and Pembroke School, have been notified to ensure school buses can still pick up and drop off students without disruption. Adjustments will be made to accommodate school transportation needs.
Residents and commuters are advised to plan alternate routes during this period.
