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Le Roy

Accident reported on Warsaw Road in Le Roy, road to be shut down

By Billie Owens

A personal-injury car accident is reported in Le Roy at 9419 Warsaw Road. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding. A subject fled on foot and was located a short time later in the 9400 block of Perry Road. The accident location is between Perry and Cole roads.

Le Roy Fire Police are asked to shut down a portion of Warsaw Road in the vicinity of the accidant.

Le Roy's Grant Hertzler earns dean's list honors at Shenandoah University

By Billie Owens

WINCHESTER, Va. -- Congratulations to Grant Hertzler, of Le Roy. Grant is a Exercise Science major and earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher at Shenandoah University in the Fall 2019 semester. Grant is one of 893 students that earned dean's list honors in the Fall 2019 semester.

Shenandoah University was established in 1875, and is headquartered in Winchester, Va., with additional educational sites in Clarke, Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Shenandoah is a private, nationally recognized university that blends professional career experiences with liberal education.

With nearly 4,000 students in more than 200+ areas of study in seven different schools, Shenandoah promotes a close-knit community rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge. Shenandoah students collaborate with accomplished professors who provide focused, individual attention, all the while leading several programs to be highly nationally ranked.

Through innovative partnerships and programs at both the local and global level, there are exceptional opportunities for students to learn in and out of the classroom. Shenandoah empowers its students to improve the human condition and to be principled professionals and leaders wherever they go. For more information, visit su.edu.

Le Roy's Calvin Herrick, a student at Canisius College, attend Health Justice Conference

By Billie Owens

On Jan. 20, Calvin Herrick, Class of 2023, of Le Roy, was one of 25 pre-medical and pre-health undergraduate students from Canisius College who attended Health Justice Conference 2020: Visions of Equity.

Hosted by the SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, the conference highlighted structural inequalities in health care and provided insights into the underlying causes and potential remedies. 

The conference takes place each year on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the federal holiday that celebrates the life and legacy of the American civil rights leader. 

Breakout sessions at this year's conference included: "Sickle Cell Disease and Its Inequalities"; "Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue"; "Health Justice for the Indigenous"; "Living Undocumented"; and "Infant Mortality in America."

Guided by Jesuit values, the undergraduate pre-medical and pre-health offerings at Canisius College emphasize a holistic perspective on health issues, including the social, cultural and economic determinants of health. To learn more, visit the program page

One of 27 Jesuit universities, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. The college is celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York.

Jared Chick is named Firefighter of the Year in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Jared Chick was named Firefighter of the Year for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department at the department's annual awards and installation dinner on Friday night, held at the Stafford Fire Hall.

Le Roy responded to 289 alarms in 2019.

Craig Johnson was issued the Medal of Valor for rescuing a woman from an early morning house fire in May 2019.

Rick Bater, past chief

The installation of fire fighters; Joe Orlando, left, Josh Fendler, right. 

Tim Yaeger administers the oath of office for Le Roy's officers and board members.

Video: Pro Life Rally in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens
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Three GC students named to fall 2019 dean's list at Cazenovia College

By Billie Owens

Cazenovia College recognizes students for their academic achievement during the fall 2019 semester. Those named to the dean's list have achieved a 3.5 or better grade-point average.

  • Haley Boren, of Alexander
  • Sophia Cacioppo, of Le Roy
  • Maria Fontaine, of Darien Center

Cazenovia College is an independent, co-educational college near Syracuse, offering graduate and bachelor degree programs in the liberal arts and professional studies in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their fields.

Cazenovia has been named a "Best College" by U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years and has also been recognized by Money and Washington Monthly as a best value institution. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.

Genesee County Democrats seek candidates for local elected offices

By Billie Owens

Press release:

If you are someone who is civic-minded, independent, ambitious, enjoy exploring creative solutions to problems, and want to make an impact in your community, we want to talk to you about running for local office.

If you are interested in getting involved politically in any capacity, please reach out to us at geneseenydemocrats@gmail.com or www.geneseedemocrats.net

The following local elected offices will be voted on this November.

  • Genesee County -- Sheriff, Treasurer, Family Court Judge, Coroner -- two positions

  • City of Batavia -- one City Council at Large -- unexpired term

  • Town of Alabama -- one Town Council -- unexpired term

  • Town of Alexander -- one Town Clerk -- unexpired term

  • Town of Batavia -- one Town Justice

  • Town of Bergen -- one Town Justice

  • Town of Byron -- one Town Justice

  • Town of Elba -- one Town Justice, one Town Council -- unexpired term

  • Town of Le Roy -- one Town Council -- unexpired term

  • Town of Oakfield -- Town Justice, one Town Supervisor -- unexpired term, 1 Town Council- unexpired term

  • Town of Pavilion -- Highway Superintendent -- unexpired term

Le Roy's Daniel Weaver named to dean's list at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania

By Billie Owens

Bethlehem, Pa. -- Daniel Weaver, of Le Roy, has achieved dean's list status at Lehigh University of the fall 2019 semester.

Students who earned a scholastic average of 3.6 or better while carrying at least 12 hours of regularly graded courses are eligible. 

For more than 150 years, Lehigh University (lehigh.edu) has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research.The institution is among the nation's most selective, highly ranked private research universities.

Lehigh's four colleges -- College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science -- provide opportunities to 7,000 students to discover and grow in a learning community that promotes interdisciplinary programs with real-world experience.

Fully involved structure fire reported on Lake Street Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Photo courtesy of reader Mary Margaret Ripley.

A fullly involved structure fire is reported in Le Roy at 8707 Lake Street Road. It has gone to a second alarm. Le Roy fire is responding and mutual aid is dispatched from the City of Batavia, Bergen, Stafford, Pavilion and Mumford.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: The location is between West Bergen and Randall roads. Town of Batavia Fire Department is asked to fill in at Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: Reader Mary Margaret Ripley says in a text message to The Batavian: "A truck blew up and the back of the building caught (fire), too." The location is Weldon Service & Repair shop.

UPDATE 10:36 a.m.: The fire is out. Overhaul is underway.

UPDATE: Video posted. Chief Tom Wood said the fire appeared to start with the pickup truck parked outside the building. The cause is still under investigation. The fire spread into the building but a quick response by volunteer firefighters helped contain the fire to less than a quarter of the structure. (No interview with Chief Wood in the video due to camera operator error).

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Accident reported on the Thruway in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle has reportedly slid off the roadway on the Thruway in the westbound lane near mile marker 383.7.

A passerby reports it appeared the driver hit his head.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: A second vehicle is off the roadway and into the trees, in the eastbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 375. Le Roy fire along with Bergen, Le Roy ambulance, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Le Roy art student wins illustration award at RIT

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy HS senior Taylor Hutton won the Medical Illustration Award (2D) at the opening reception Friday night at RIT Bevier Gallery for the RIT Art Design Start Here 2020 exhibit. The exhibit runs until Feb. 1.

Photo and info submitted by Tim McArdle.

Four Genesee County students named Presidential Scholars at Clarkson University

By Billie Owens

POTSDAM -- Four students in Genesee County were named Presidential Scholars for the fall 2019 semester at Clarkson University:

  • Colin Jacob Graham, of Oakfield, majoring in Aeronautical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering;
  • Farryn E. Kennedy, of Le Roy, majoring in Mechanical Engineering;
  • Samantha Paulette Salim, of Corfu, majoring in Chemistry;
  • Ben Edward Slenker, of Alexander, majoring in Chemical Engineering.

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

As a private, national research university, Clarkson is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation. With its main campus located in Potsdam, and additional graduate program and research facilities in Schenectady -- New York's Capital Region, Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks, Beacon in the Mid-Hudson Region, and New York City, Clarkson educates 4,300 students across 95 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, the arts, education, sciences and health professions.

Knights fall to Batavia/Attica on Senior Night for wrestlers

By Howard B. Owens

Thursday evening was Senior Night for Le Roy's wrestlers. Unfortunately, it wasn't a night for the Knights, who lost to Batavia/Attica 63-20.

Seniors honored where: Rich Carpino, Phil Hahn, Paul Harmer and Andrew Englerth

Photos and info submitted by Tim McArdle.

Two Le Roy students named to dean's list at Daemen College in Amherst

By Billie Owens

AMHERST -- Daemen College Dean Michael Brogan, Ph.D., announces the following students from Genesee County achieved dean’s list status at Daemen College for the fall 2019 semester.

  • Brianna Hill, of Le Roy 
  • Lindsey Coniber, of Le Roy

A matriculated undergraduate student who attains a grade-point average of 3.30 or better in any one semester is eligible for dean’s list status.

Le Roy's Amy Lowe named to dean's list at Bucknell University

By Billie Owens

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Amy Lowe, a Biomedical Engineering major in the Class of 2020, from Le Roy, was named to the dean's list at Bucknell University during the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year.

A student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean's list recognition.

Bucknell University is a highly selective private liberal arts university that offers majors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and social and natural sciences, along with broad opportunities outside of class, to its 3,600 undergraduates. Graduate programs are available in select disciplines. Students benefit from a small student-faculty ratio of 9:1, personal attention from faculty, leadership opportunities, and excellent graduation rates and career outcomes.

Law and Order: Rochester woman accused of attacking security guards and refusing to leave casino

By Billie Owens

Renee Suzanne Symonds, 51, of Cedar Cove Trail, Rochester, is charged with third-degree assault and second-degree harassment. Symonds was arrested after an investigation at Batavia Downs Casino & Hotel on Park Road in Batavia. She allegedly attacked two security guards at 4:58 p.m. on Jan. 13 after refusing to leave the property. She is due in Batavia Town Court at 1 p.m. on Jan. 30. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Marissa Nicole Lehto, 30, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny. She was arrested and is due to answer the charge today (Jan. 14) in Batavia City Court. She is accused of taking a wallet containing a credit card from a purse that did not belong to her at 6:10 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2019, on Main Street in Batavia. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

David James Leroy, 27, of Gabbey Road, Pembroke, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 6:17 p.m. on Jan. 12 he was arrested on West Main Street Road in Batavia. Leroy allegedly responded to another person's place of employment in the Town of Batavia after being told to cease contact with that person. He was released on an appearance ticket for Jan. 16 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

John Frederick Macintyre, 67, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; speed not reasonable and prudent; failure to keep right; and DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more. He was arrested at 8:13 p.m. on Linwood Road in Le Roy after the investigation of a property damage accident. Macintyre was issued traffic tickets and is due in Le Roy Town Court on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jared Swimline, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Michael Todd Swiatowy, 48, of Hartshorn Road, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated and refusal to take a breath test. Following an investigation at the scene of a domestic incident, Swiatowy was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court. He is due to return to court on Feb. 18. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Michael Andrew Coleman, 44, of Post Avenue, Rochester, is charged with third-degree bail jumping and aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree. At 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 11, Coleman was turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office by Monroe County County deputies. He was arrested for having an outstanding arrest and bench warrant out of Town of Alabama Court, where he was arraigned then released on his own recognizance. Coleman is due there again on Jan. 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro.

Car reportedly hits house on Linwood Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly driven into a house at 9235 Linwood Road, Le Roy.

No word on injuries.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 7:55 p.m.: The vehicle struck a tree, not the house. Responding units can slow down.

Portion of North Road in Le Roy closed for three days next week for water main installation

By Billie Owens

From the county Highway Department:

Please be advised that North Road in the Town of Le Roy will be closed to traffic between Route 19 and Conlon Road on Monday (Jan. 13), Tuesday (Jan. 14) and Wednesday (Jan. 15) for the installation of a water transmission main line across the roadway.

The roadway will be COMPLETELY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC -- including emergency vehicles. A detour will be posted during this time.

Student from Le Roy wins first place in GLOW Women Rise 2020 logo contest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. GLOW Women Rise will present the winners of our 2020 logo contest with their awards. The presentations will take place at the YWCA of Genesee County at 301 North St., Batavia.

GLOW Women Rise invited students in grades 8-12 to design a logo, which we will use for our yearlong celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote in the United States.

Our kick-off event, a Women’s Empowerment Forum on March 7th, will also celebrate International Women’s Day, which was created to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness against bias, and promote taking action for equality.

The first-place award goes to Chloe Schnitter, a junior student from Le Roy attending Genesee Valley Educational Partnership studying Graphic Arts (image of Chloe's logo above); the second-place award goes to Emilee Kassay, a senior student from Lyndonville studying Graphic Communication at Orleans/Niagara BOCES.

The winning logos created by these talented young women will be used on our website, various promotional pieces, T-shirts, and tote bags.

GLOW Women Rise is an all-volunteer group working to empower, engage, and elevate women in the GLOW region. For more information on GLOW Women Rise, email glowwomenrise@gmail.com.

Regional rally and march for life coming to Le Roy on Jan. 25, coincides with National March for Life in D.C.

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Pastors and volunteers from three different churches in Le Roy have come together to plan a pro-life rally and march on Saturday, Jan. 25th coinciding with  the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., the same weekend.

The event is open to churches and pro-lifers throughout the Western New York region to come and make a public statement that there is no more fundamental right than the right to live.

The event will kick off at 11 a.m. at the gymnasium of the parish center, located at 44 Lake St. in Le Roy, with music, brief speakers and videos, displays and information from organizations that support families after childbirth. That one hour rally will then transition to a respectful and peaceful march through village streets in Le Roy.

The event was organized after Fr. Matthew Phelan of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Pastor Jack Hempfling of Living Waters Church and Pastor Roger Piger of Calvary Baptist Church attended a meeting of pastors in Buffalo who are pulling together to confront abortion. 

“There is a movement there to support pregnant women and new mothers, to curb the devastating abortion rate in that city (a rate so high that the African American community is not even replacing itself),” Hempfling said.

“After that meeting in Buffalo, we started asking one another, why not bring this issue to the local level? Fr. Matthew offered to host a rally at Our Lady of Mercy, Pastor Roger was onboard, so the rally and march quickly took shape.”

“Since Roe v. Wade, well over 61 million children have been aborted in the USA. That is 10 times the number of people killed by Nazis in the Holocaust, and it’s the equivalent to the entire populations of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Louisiana combined!” Pastor Hempfling noted.

These local pastors agree with this statement: “This is not an onslaught that can be harnessed just by laws and court rulings, although those are so important. This issue requires a heart change in our culture. That’s why we believe that the national marches need to be expanded to the grassroots, local level.

"And we want to declare in the name of Christ that there is healing and support for those who have in the past or currently find themselves in the frightening situation of an unplanned pregnancy.”

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