Le Roy

This afternoon I stopped by Frost Ridge Campground just as the Le Roy Fire Department was setting up for its picnic. It's still going -- until 10 p.m. with live music, games, raffles and auctions.

John W. Brown, 29, of Le Roy, is going to prison for having sex with a 13-year-old boy in Livingston County.

Brown was sentenced to five years in prison by Livingston County Court Judge Dennis Cohen.

Once released, Brown will also be supervised for five years.

Brown was convicted of having sex with the boy in November, on his 29th birthday.

Source: Democrat and Chronicle.

Billie and I stopped at D & R Depot Restaurant for dinner last night and arrived just in time to see this train going by.

Le Roy Democrats picked their candidates for local offices on August 9, according to a statement sent to The Batavian this afternoon.

Richard Zarajczyk, the Le Roy Chair, wrote that Judge Kermit Arrington was endorsed for a 6th term as town justice.

Tom Stella, an incumbent councilman, was endorsed for a full four-year term.

Jennifer Keys was nominated for a two-year term on council

Full announcement after the jump:

On August 9, 2009 at the LeRoy Village Hall, the LeRoy Democrats caucused and selected candidates to run for office in the November 3rd general election. 

Judge Kermit Arrington was nominated and voted unanimously to run for his 6th term for Town Justice. He has the experience and even temperament needed to continue his service on the LeRoy bench. Judge Arrington served in WWII and is a member of the  Genesee County Magistrates Assoc., American Judges Assoc., WNY Superintendent Assoc, Excelsior Hook & Ladder and was a past recipient of the LeRoyan of the Year award.  He is retired from the LeRoy Public Works Department where he served as Superintendent for 34 years.  He resides on Craigie Street. He welcomes his opponent Darryl Sehm to the race.

Tom Stella, incumbent councilman, was nominated and voted unanimously to run for a full four year term.  He is the Deputy Supervisor after winning a one year term last year and has served almost two years on the town council where he sits as the farmland protection and fire commission liaison.  He was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2008. He has been instrumental in finding cost savings in the town hall infrastructure.   Tom is employed at LeRoy Central School, is a Viet Nam veteran and bronze star recipient and a social member of Oatka Hose. Tom and his wife Debbie live on South Street Rd and they have a grown daughter, son in law and new grandson.

Newcomer Jennifer Keys was nominated and voted unanimously and will run for the two year term.  Jennifer is civic minded with experience in community service both here in LeRoy and in her former neighborhood in Rochester where she founded her neighborhood watch organization and served as the volunteer scheduler for the Police and Citizens Together Against Crime group. She holds degrees from Brockport in Psychology and Political Science with a Masters degree in World History. She has worked as an adjunct professor at MCC and a social worker at St Joseph's Villa. She currently serves on the LeRoy PTSO board.  She lives on East Main Street with her husband and two children.

There was a declination filed which leaves one opening for a four year term.  Anyone interested in seeking this position please contact Richard Zarajczyk at 734-1008 no later than September 29.

This past Saturday, the Sons of God Motocycle Club of Leroy  held a Chicken Barbeque Dinner fundraiser.

At the end of day, they had 100 extra  dinners. They made a call to Paul and Bridget Ohlson of Care-A-Van Ministries here in Batavia. They wanted to donate the dinners.

Paul and Bridget fired up the bus to head out to Leroy to pick up the dinners. The bus headed back to Batavia, first stopping in Stafford to bless a family there.

A quick stop was done at Aldi's to pick up this PR director, so I could join in on the blessing ride.

It was an amazing evening as we drove around the city passing the dinners out to those in need.

We thank the Sons of God for their awesome donation for the hungry here in this community. The folks were so appreciative of the dinners they received. May God Bless this organization for seeing a need and helpiing fulfull that need.

Le Roy public  safety officials are starting the education process for village and town residents about the changes coming to police and fire dispatch.

Starting on Oct. 1, the Le Roy dispatch office will consolidate with the Genesee County dispatch center and the Le Roy office will close.

The dispatch number of 768-2527 will be answered by an automated attendant and callers will be guided through menu choices.

Of course, 9-1-1 will still get callers immediately to an emergency dispatcher.

Here's a message from Chief Chris Hayward:

Effective Thursday, October 1, 2009 the way you contact the Village of LeRoy Government, as well as police, fire, and ambulance will fundamentally change for Village and Town residents.  The Village of LeRoy Dispatch Office will officially close as of that date, and the public safety portion of the dispatch center will be fully consolidated into the Genesee County Emergency 911 center.

-    EFFECTIVE 10/01/09 IF YOU NEED A POLICE OFFICER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR AN AMBULANCE YOU SHOULD DIAL 911.  IF YOU DO CALL 768-2527 YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THESE SERVICES THROUGH AN AUTOMATED ATTENDANT, HOWEVER WE DO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF 911 TO ASSURE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.    

-    768-2527 WILL NO LONGER BE ANSWERED BY A DISPATCHER.  IT WILL BE ROUTED TO AN AUTOMATED ATTENDANT, WHICH WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH MENU CHOICES.  WHILE THERE WILL BE OFFICE PERSONNEL DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS OF MONDAY THRU FRIDAY FROM 8:30 AM TO 4:30PM ALL CALLS TO 768-2527 WILL BE ROUTED TO THE APPROPRIATE OFFICE THROUGH THE AUTOMATED ATTENDANT.   

As with any major change we expect issues to present themselves despite our every effort to make the transition as smooth as possible. We ask for your patience and support during this transitional period. 

For more information on how consolidation may affect you, please go to the Village of LeRoy website at www.villageofleroy.org

Stacy R. Bechtold, 31, of 1429 East Drive, Alden, is charged with DWI and criminal impersonation, along with several other charges after being stopped by Sheriff's deputies at 10:29 p.m. Saturday. Bechtold was reportedly seen driving erratically from Alabama to Maltby Road in Oakfield. When stopped, Bechtold allegedly provided deputies with a fake identity and false birth date. It turns out, she reportedly was driving on a suspended license and an outstanding arrest warrant from Monroe County.  Additional charges: Driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to notify DMV of an address change, uninsured vehicle and failure to keep right. Deputies Chris Parker and Brad Mazur investigated the incident. Bechtold was released to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department on the outstanding warrant.

Christopher A. Saddler, 25, of 3 Lydun Drive, Albion, is charged with criminal mischief. Saddler allegedly punched a candy machine inside Tenney Laundry.

Gregory Seppe, 51, of 19 Manhatten Ave., Batavia, is charged with trespass. Seppe allegedly entered the Salvation Army after previously being told he was not allowed on the premises. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Vincent J. T. Dell, 21, of 17 Thorpe St., Batavia, and Nateeka M. Gibson, 20, of 13 Thorpe St., Batavia, are both charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting at 3:07 Saturday morning. Jerell J.T. Jones, 20, of 17 Thorpe St., Batavia, was charged with littering during the same incident. Officers Dan Coffey and Frank Klimjack handled the call.

Vincent Michael Esten, 27, of 10998 Transit Road, Pavilion, is charged with filing a false report with the Sheriff's Office. Esten allegedly reported that another individual had opened a cable television account using his name. After further investigation, the report allegedly turned out to be false. Deputy Joseph Graff investigated the report.

Jody L. Beaumont, 39, of 8557 East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.  Beaumont reportedly hit some trees on York Road and then allegedly left the scene. He was later located at his residence. He is also charged with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from a lane unsafely. The accident reportedly occurred at 5:40 a.m., Sunday. Deputies John Weis and Frank Bordanaro investigated the incident.

Patrick S. Waldron, 21, of 1590 Edgewood Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from a lane unsafely. Waldron was reportedly stopped Sunday at 1:15 a.m. at Route 237 and Walkers Corner Road.

Nicholas R. Harig, 19, of 170 Trowbridge Street, Buffalo, is charged with DWI following a traffic stop in Corfu by Officer Edward Caton for allegedly tailgating. Harig was also cited for having an inadequate muffler on his vehicle.

Dustin D. Say, 18, of 1952 Perry Road, North Java, and a 17-year-old companion from Alexander are charged with a felony count of burglary. Say and his companion allegedly entered an unlocked garage in Alexander and stole alcoholic beverages.

Sarah J. Patrick, 19, of Lockport, is charged with DWI. Patrick was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in Pembroke at 9:28 p.m. on Friday.

Chad A. Plante, 25, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, unlicensed operation and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Plante was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in Darien at 9:45 p.m. on Friday.

Benjamin P. Greene, 21, of Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to stay in designated lane. Greene was stopped by State Police on Galloway Road in Batavia at 2:31 a.m. on Sunday.

Daniel N. Brown, 36, of Le Roy, is charged with two counts of possession of a forged instrument. Brown was arrested by State Police on West Saile Drive in Batavia. The initial report was taken on June 7.  Brown was released on his own recognizance.

The quality didn't come out all that great, but somebody e-mailed me some cellphone video of the Le Roy firefighters getting cool and relaxing after last night's training.

A smoke detector has been activated, and there is a smell of smoke at 7662 Harris Road.

The location is an apartment.

UPDATE 10:57 p.m.: Conclusion, faulty smoke detector. Thermal imaging revealed no fire. All units back in service.

View Larger Map

Craig L. Schrutt, 56, of 50-2 Spring Meadow Drive, Williamsville, is charged with two counts of grand larceny and two counts of issuing a bad check. Schrutt, the former operator of of CARP's Auto Sales in Clarence, is accused of writing checks that were later returned for insufficient funds to a local car dealership. The reported amount of the checks were for $11,300 and $2,500. Schrutt was sent to the Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail. The investigation was conducted by Warrant Officer Eric Olson with assistance by Investigator Timothy Weis, and deputies James Diehl and Tim Wescott.

Jean Rebecca Fili, 31, of 8089 E. Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance. Fili allegedly stole merchandise from Wal-Mart and was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance at the time of her arrest.

Molly A. Crowe, 45, of Bergen, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 or greater, and refusing an initial roadside breath screening. Crowe was reportedly stopped on Route 262 in Byron by state troopers after allegedly driving her car across the center line several times. Crowe was sent to Genesee County Jail on $250 bail.

Wednesday, the Jell-O Museum in Le Roy celebrated its 100,000th visitor.

Pictured: Lynne Belluscio. left, Director of the Jell-O Museum,
Marilyn Smith, the official 100,000th visitor, her husband Steve Smith and
Adele Friello, friend of the Smiths.

Press Release after the jump:

Press Release:

“We knew it was going to be this week,” said Lynne Belluscio, Director of  the Jell-O Museum.  “We just weren’t sure exactly when, but as we left  Tuesday night, we were only 21 people from the 100,000 mark.”  The Jell-O  museum opened in June 1997, during the 100th anniversary of Jell-O’s  “invention” in LeRoy.  “The first three years, we were only open a  couple of months a year.  Then in 2000, we installed bathrooms, renovated  office space, and put in furnaces and air conditioning. So since then we’ve  been open all year. We’ve been hovering near 10,000 people a year. This  year, we’re setting all attendance records.  We’re already past the 7000  mark with five months to go! Every state in the union - - except North Dakota  have visited - - and there will be another party when they show up. We’ve  had visitors from 20 different countries.”  .

“So Wednesday morning we had a small group in the museum, and we were  counting very carefully, when three people came in, and I said: ‘One of  these folks is it!’”  “Where are you folks from?”  “Johnstown, New  York.”  “What a coincidence. Knox gelatin is from Johnstown.” “We  know.”  “Well, you are our one hundredth visitor since we opened in 1997  and we’d like to present you with the bag of Jell-O items from the gift  shop and a year’s supply of Jell-O – a box per week and a brick in the  Jell-O Brick Road, and an invitation to come back and visit anytime you  want.”

The official 100,000 visitor is Marilyn Smith – and yes she likes Jell-O,  in fact she and her husband, Steve, moved to Johnstown a few years ago, from  the state that consumes the most Jell-O  - Utah.  “So, what brought you to  the Jell-O Museum today?”  It seems that they were in Niagara Falls a week  or so ago and picked up one of our brochures.  Marilyn told her husband that  they had to stop on their trip to Indiana this week. They almost didn’t  stop, because they were supposed to get a head start at 6 in the morning but  were an hour late leaving home.  But as they came to LeRoy, she insisted that  Steve stop.  So after all the picture taking, and the presentation of gifts,  they were another hour behind, but Marilyn and Steve were good sports, and  said they really didn’t mind, and boy do they have a great story to tell - - and Jell-O shirts to wear at the drum corps competition that they are  going to in Indianapolis.  They’ve promised to come back to see Marilyn’s  brick in the Jell-O Brick Road, and the D & R Depot has graciously offered a  gift certificate for lunch on their return to LeRoy.  They did leave behind  the large cluster of colorful balloons that we gave to them.  They decided  that the balloons on a long trip to Indianapolis wasn’t a good idea.

The driver in yesterday's accident on Route 5 in Le Roy has been identified as 18-year-old Mike S. Garrett of 6432 Main Road, Stafford.

Garrett is at Strong Memorial Hospital in guarded condition.

The accident remains under investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

Here's the video shot at the scene yesterday:

The name of the driver has not been released yet.  Initial Report

Dispatchers have received multiple 9-1-1 calls for a one-car accident on Route 5 in Le Roy. A car has reportedly run into a tree. The first responder reports extrication will be required. Mercy Flight is being dispatched from Buffalo, where the Batavia helicopter is currently.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: I'm just back from the scene.  The driver has not been identified. He appeared to be conscious as he lay on the stretcher, folding his hands when instructed. The cause of the accident is under investigation.  The car's roof was removed and Chief Tom Wood said his legs were pinned inside the vehicle. When I saw the driver, there were no visible injuries to his legs. The car lay at a 45-deree angle in a culvert next to Route 5 just short of a pair of trees. The driver was headed eastbound on Route 5.  Video TK.

A Le Roy man is accused of growing a small quanity of marijuana on his property in the Village of Le Roy.

David Alan Leach, 47, of 24 Munson Ave., is charged with criminal possession of marijuana and unlawfully growing cannabis.

The initial investigation was conducted by Det. John Condidorio, who followed up on a tip that an individual in the village was growing marijuana.

The Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force assisted in the investigation and helped obtain and execute a search warrant, along with the deputies from the Sheriff's office and the Batavia Police BET team.

Leach was issued an appearance ticket and ordered to appear Le Roy Town Court on Aug. 10.

A Caledonia woman has been arrested in connection with a household burglary in Le Roy in which jewelry and two handguns were stolen.

The handguns have not been recovered.

The woman is also accused of using the victim's car without permission.

Nicole L. Green, 23, of 3165 Maier Lane, Caledonia, was arrested following a week-long investigation by Det. John Condidorio and Sgt. Michael Hare.

The alleged break-in occurred July 24. The homeowner reported somebody had entered the house during the daytime and stole items from a bedroom.

Green was reportedly known by the victim and became a suspect. The victim had previously loaned a car to Green, which Green subsequently allegedly refused to return.

Green was found in Rochester with the car on Saturday, arrested and turned over to Le Roy Police Dept. She was charged with two counts of burglary in the second degree, three counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Bail was set at $1,000 for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge and $7,500 for the burglary and grand larceny charges.

Report from 1st Asst. Chief Michael Sheflin, Le Roy Fire Department (Sheflin also provided the photos):

The Le Roy Fire Dept held its last training exercise at the acquired structure on W Main Rd last night, 7/27/09.

Le Roy was joined by Bergen Fire Dept. under the leadership of Bergen Fire Chief, Scott Crosier.

The training involved 2 types of exercise.First was "Live Burn" training. A small fire is set in a metal container and crews enter the structure to extinguish the flames. This is done under very controlled circumstances to ensure the safety of the firefighters.

The second exercise was ventilation and roof work. As the photos show, Le Roy FD and Bergen FD work very close together to learn each others equipment and tools.

This house has been a valuable asset to the Le Roy FD as well as the surrounding Fire Dept. that were able to use the structure. At this time I would like to thank Wal-Mart and thank the surrounding Fire Depts. that took part in the training. Also I would like to thank Legislator Jay Grasso who showed up to lend his support to the volunteers of the Fire Service in Genesee County.

Volunteer firefighters train every Monday night. Last night I attended Elba's car fire training at the Genesee County Fire Training Center.  I've not yet had time to finish editing that video. I hope I can finish that tonight and post later or in the morning.

The Walgreens in Le Roy is now open, as we learned from a glowing piece of PR published in the Batavia Daily News.

The problem of its construction, which as is downright hostile to other businesses in the village with its parking lot and fence in front of the building, is, of course, still a problem.

And it was a problem the Le Roy Planning Board recognized back in August 2007, according to an article in the Daily News archives:

Planning Board member Jerry McCullough said he would like to see a design consistent with a small-town Main Street look, including having the store closer to the sidewalk and all the parking either behind the building or to one side and the rear.

Planning Board Chairman Robert Dawley agreed. He would like Walgreens to design a store similar to the way the Village Hall sits on its parcel, with green space between the sidewalk and building and its front setback consistent with nearby properties.

"I think it would be visually more pleasing to the community," he said. The traditional downtown look would also provide better sight lines for drivers approaching the traffic light at routes 5 and 19, he said.

I remember being told a year ago that the building would fit into the village.  I wonder whatever happened to that plan?

Meanwhile, the building is already up for sale. Asking price: $5.1 million.

Above, local volunteer firefighters practice evacuating a smoke-filled building on Main in LeRoy. The haziness provides some idea of what visibility might be like during an actual rescue operation. In this case, the smoke is only simulated.

More than 40 firefighters from LeRoy, Stafford and Pavilion participated in Monday night's drill. First Assistant Fire Chief Michael T. Sheflin submitted the pictures.

The building is an old house on the site of the proposed Wal-Mart in LeRoy. The structure was donated to the LeRoy fire department by the chain for use as a training facility. In previous training exercises, Bergen and Caledonia have used the building.

Sheflin writes:

Monday nights drill was search and rescue, teams entered the structure through the side door and through a second story window using a 35' extension ladder. As you can see in the photos, smoke condition and visabilty were limited. Using search and rescue techniques teams located victims ( training dummies that weight 145 lbs ) and removed them from the building using both the entrance way and the ladder. As the photos show, the Le Roy Fire Dept as well as the rest of the fire departments in the area are trained in search and resuce as well as building evacuations.

Shefin added:

If anyone one is interested in joining there local fire department, most departments hold training or meeting on Monday nights in Genesee County. Stop by and the members will be glad to talk to you.

A LeRoy woman spent her 51st birthday this morning pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide and the criminal sale of a controlled substance.

The case stems from the March 10 death of Yvonne Hart, who used a skin patch containing the narcotic Fentanyl given to her by Joann M. Rusby, of 92 Lake St.

Rusby is scheduled to be sentenced concurrently for the felonies at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6.

She waived the right to a jury trial by the "factual admission" of the "sale" of Fentanyl to Hart. Under state law, even though the drug was given to the victim and not sold for money it is still considered a sale because the giver knew it would be used illegally by the victim.

In explaining this, Judge Robert C. Noonan asked Rusby if she gave the transdermal patch to the 53-year-old knowing Hart would apply it to herself.

"Yes, sir," Rusby said softly.

The act resulted in the "unjustifiable death" of Hart, the judge said.

Fentanyl is one of the most widely prescribed synthetic opioids used to treat chronic pain. It is a Schedule II narcotic because of its potential for abuse and is 100 times stronger than morphine.

Rusby, who shuffled into court in shackles, appeared tearful, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She sat with her shoulders slumped and took deep breaths from time to time.

She originally was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, third-degree drug possession and second-degree manslaughter, which could have resulted in up to 15 years in prison.

The indictment was waived and charges were reduced under a plea deal between Rusby's Batavia attorney Thomas Burns and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

As a first-time offender, she faces a maximum of nine years in state prison for the drug sale and one to four years for Hart's death, which will be served concurrently.

In addition, she can be fined up to $5,000. She must pay the justice system a mandatory surcharge of $350 for her crimes, a $50 fee for processing her DNA into the criminal justice data bank, and a 10-percent surcharge of any monetary damages awarded to the victim's family in a civil suit.

After she's released from prison, she'll be on parole for two years.

She remains in Orleans County jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.

In addition, Rusby was ordered to stay away from two women in connection with the case. The one-year order of protection was issued to Jessica Dempsey and Stephanie Arnold.

The courtroom was nearly empty at the hearing, except for myself and two women sitting on the prosecution's side, whom the defendant paid no attention to.