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Car crash on westbound Thruway, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

An injury accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 384.6. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: Two vehicles are involved. This is possibly "an intox" -- a driver allegedly may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A State Trooper is on scene and they are closing one lane to traffic.

New food pantry in Le Roy serving a growing number of people

By Howard B. Owens

The lines just seem to get longer and longer each month Pastor John Gariboldi and a group of volunteers host a free food pantry in the parking lot off Mill Street Park in Le Roy.

People come from throughout the region to gather up as much food as they can carry, all provided by Foodlink at no cost.

And it's good food, too. Fresh apples, bread, Greek yogurt along with sweet baked goods and cases of water.

"You get everything you can fit in your arms," Gariboldi said. "There are no requirements. Even if last week you went to another pantry, it doesn't matter."

The pantry is a Godsend, said Mary, from Geneseo, who adopted her granddaughter when she was 3 months old.

Mary is raising her granddaughter with only her Social Security check to cover household expenses.

"I got complete custody of her because her mother broke her back," Mary said. "I'll be 80 in November. I'm raising her. She's 14 now and I would love to see her graduate and I'm sure the Lord is going to let me."

Gariboldi said he's had a lifelong passion for helping the poor, the homeless and people in need. He became pastor of Penuel Christian Fellowship, 10 Main St., Le Roy, 10 years ago and started praying for the opportunity to feed the poor.

He got involved with Paul Ohlson and Care-a-Van Ministries in Le Roy.

"I met the Foodlink representative there and she said there was a high need in Genesee County and I thought, 'wow, this is a God thing,' " Gariboldi said. "I said 'would you be willing to do it in Le Roy?' and she said, 'yeah.' "

The pantry started slowly this summer, but by August, the line stretched from the parking lot up to the post office on Mill Street.

Last month, more than 100 people showed up even though it was pouring rain the entire morning.

"A long line shows that it kind of sucks," said Ashley, the mother of two children, a third on the way and a husband who can't work because of disabilities. "It shows that this place is so bad that people have to come out to get free food when there's no jobs."

Government assistance just isn't enough in this economy, Ashley said.

"I get food stamps, but sometimes food stamps isn't enough when you have growing kids," Ashley said. "They eat you out of house and home. I know it's not much, but at least I've got food on the table for my kids. They're not going to go hungry."

When people have a hard time getting food, social service experts call it "food insecurity." An estimated 14.7 percent of New York's residents live in food-insecure situations and 21.3 percent of children don't necessarily know where their next meal is coming from.

According to its Web site, Rochester-based Foodlink "rescues and redistributes more than 16 million pounds of food annually to a network of 450 member agencies in a 10-county service area: Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties."

In the past four years, Foodlink has seen a 30-percent increase in the number of people it serves.

Cheryl Maxwell, a Le Roy resident who teaches nutrition for Cornell Cooperative Extension, has been coming out to the Le Roy pantry almost from the start, and she said she's seen it grow and she thinks it's an economic issue.

"The last time out, it was pouring rain and they all came out and it was just amazing, the need that I saw," Maxwell said. "Some people might have bills to pay and if they can just get this little bit of extra food it might help them pay an electric bill or something throughout the month. With the economy the way it is, that little bit of food might help them get by and pay an extra bill."

Tracy, friends with Ashley, and a Batavia resident, said she has "a houseful of children" and a grandchild with cystic fibrosis. The food bank is a big help, she said, and not just because of the free food. It's also nice to know there are still people who help others.

"Even if it's just one bag of food, that bag of food is maybe a day or two worth of meals for a family that's having a rough time right now, so it really benefits them," Tracy said. "People need it nowadays to see that there are people out there who really do care."

Pastor Gariboldi delivers a mini-sermon for volunteers followed by a short prayer minutes before the food pantry line opens.

While Pastor Gariboldi hands out donuts, his son fills cups with cider for people waiting in line.

Sarah, from York, said with she and her husband and their child on a limited income, the free food from the pantry is a big help.

Mary brings her own cart to the pantry to gather food for her and her 14-year-old granddaughter, whom she's raising on just her Social Security benefits.

Tracy, left, and Ashley.

Le Roy falls short of undefeated season with 34-29 loss to rival Cal-Mum

By Howard B. Owens

Friday night, under the bright lights of Hamilton Field, a clash of two historic rivals, the Oatka Knights of Le Roy and the Red Raiders of Caledonia-Mumford, was once again its own kind of Fall Classic.

The game was a back-and-forth battle between two well-stocked teams already guaranteed slots in sectional play. It was a fight to the end with the outcome uncertain until the Knights final drive stalled with 30 seconds left on the clock.

Only then, were the Raiders (6-1) assured their six-point lead would hold for a 34-29 victory over Le Roy (6-1).

"I thought it was a great atmosphere for high school football," said Brian Moran, in his 25th season as head coach for Le Roy. "It's just great for both communities. Obviously, we hate to come out on the down side of this, but you know what, it's great for the kids, it's great for the communities and I just thought it was a great atmosphere for high school football and this is what it's about."

The player of the game was Cal-Mum senior QB Kurtis Haut, who rushed for 248 yards and three TDs on 24 carries.

Play after play, it seemed at times, Cal-Mum called QB keepers and Haut would find a hole and exploit it.

Arm tackles couldn't stop Haut who ran through defenders like they were turnstiles in a packed subway station.

Asked for the key to the game and Moran said that was it: Haut.

"Hey that five is pretty good, isn't he?" Moran said. "That's the game right there. The whole story line is him. He's a great athlete and he played a great football game tonight. They made a few more playes than we did and they deserve the win."

Le Roy played well, but not quite good enough. Moran acknowledged the Knights needed to execute a little better, make a few more plays, play better defense, make better tackles and finish off the game offensively.

"We've got to finish it that's the main thing," Moran said. "In a game like today, you've got to be able to make those plays and you've got to be able to go to the last second. I thought we had a chance late but we just didn't make the play when we needed to."

Junior QB Mike McMullen showed a lot of poise with the game on the line, getting the ball with two minutes left and bringing his team deep into Raider territory, but with a minute left on the clock, one last completed pass to advance the ball eluded the Knights' offense.

McMullen finished 18 for 33 for 192 yards and four TDs.

The knights opened the scoring with 3:56 left in the first quarter on a nine-yard pass from McMullen to Jon Pierce, who had six receptions for 86 yards and two TDs on the night.

Cal-Mum answered near the end of the quarter on a 16-yard run by Haut, and so the game went until the fourth quarter, with both sides trading scores.

In the fourth quarter, the Raiders put together the only back-to-back, unanswered scoring drives of the game and that proved pivotal in this match.

A 30-yard field goal by Pierce with 3:09 left in the 4th brought the Knights within six points and a chance for a win those final minutes.

Tom Kelso helped carry the offense with 13 carries for 102 yards. Peter Privitera had 11 carries for 27 yards and Nick Egeling gained 17 yards on five touches. Egeling also had five receptions for 48 yards.

Ryan McQuillen scored twice on four receptions for 43 yards.

On defense, Zack Fitzsimmons had seven tackles, Anthony Paladino, five, Egeling, four, Kelso, four, Lamkin, four, and Steve Cappotelli, four, and a fumble recovery.

Also on Friday night:

Alexander (6-1) beat Pembroke 41-0. Dylan Scharlau, 17 carries for 141 yards and one TD. Will Burke seven carries for 52 yeards. Tristan Alding nine touches for 75 yards. Tyler Laird scored a TD and had 25 yards on four rushes. Burke was 5 for 8 passing for 105 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Sam Browne, 2 catches for 61 yards and a TD.  He also had a 65 yard punt return for a score. Zach Laird had an 11-yard TD reception and Jacob Riggs had a 15-yard TD reception. Pembroke had only 49 yards total offense. Tyler Laird had seven tackles and one sack and one fumble recovery. With a share of the GR league title, it's the first time Alexander has come out on top in the division since 1977.

Elba/Byron-Bergen plays at Finney today. Oakfield-Alabama is at Holley. Batavia is at Olympia.

Lamkin forces a Joe Cappotelli fumble in the second quarter.

Haut scores on a 50-yard TD run late in the second quarter.

Pierce hauls in 52-yard TD pass from McCullen early in the third quarter.

McQuillen looks for and gets a pass interference call during the Knights' final possession in the closing minutes fo the game.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Caller reports hearing gunshots on Myrtle Street in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A caller reports hearing four gunshots in the area of Myrtle Street in Le Roy. Police are responding.

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: One person at a business told an officer he heard four sounds. Other people officers spoke with in the vicinity said they heard nothing unusual. Police are back in service.

Person scanning lawn at Wolcott School for who knows what

By Billie Owens

A suspicious condition is reported at Wolcott School in the Village of Le Roy. A person is scanning the front lawn with a metal detector. Maybe there's buried treasure in the grass. Or some lost lunch money -- it adds up you know.

Le Roy Police spoke with him. No report was taken and the police just left.

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of menacing with loaded shotgun

By Howard B. Owens

Kevin Michael Lampman, 40, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd. Lampman allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at another person during an argument. He was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Ian J. Blake, 26, of Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. Blake was allegedly found in possession of a baggie of more than 25 grams of marijuana while on Lake Street, Le Roy. Blake was jailed on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.

Faith Brenda Obeirne, 45, of Mount Read Boulevard, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Obeirne was arrested in Monroe County on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Saul Doynseday Standsblack, 35, of Parker Road, Alabama, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and forcible touching. Standsblack is accused of illegally entering a residence on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, and forcibly touching the intimate parts of a person inside the residence. Standsblack reportedly left the residence on foot and was located a short time later by deputies Matthew Fleming and Jason Saile and taken into custody. Standsblack was jailed on $10,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.

Colin Michael Borgus, 21, of Savage Road, Churchville; Kaci Lynn Sciarabba, 20, of East North Street, Geneva; and, (name redacted upon request), 21, of Queensland Drive, Spencerport, are charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. The three people were allegedly found at 10:05 p.m., Oct. 3, in a car with the windows down in a public parking lot in Oakfield smoking marijuana.

Car in flames on Lake Street, Village of Le Roy, nearby homes evacuated

By Billie Owens

A fully involved car fire, with flames shooting out of the front end, is reported at 14 Lake St. in the Village of Le Roy near Bacon Street. Le Roy Fire Department is responding. It is said to have exposure potential to nearby structures and the surrounding homes have been evacuated.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: The fire is knocked down.

Caller says dog on Bacon Street in Le Roy trying to jump from house window

By Billie Owens

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. A canine who lives at 24 Bacon St. in Le Roy thought the time was ripe to make his great escape only moments ago. Everything seemed to be lining up in his or her favor. And so the dog tried to jump from a second-story window onto the porch below, then ostensibly freedom beyond. But an astute neighbor may have foiled the plan by calling dispatch and alerting law enforcement. A police officer is responding.

Sponsored Post: Do you know me? Hot Heads Salon, LeRoy, NY!

By Lisa Ace

Do you know me? Amy Whitmore McClellan of Hot Heads Salon 25 West Main St., LeRoy. I would like to invite you to visit me and be my guest at Hot Heads Salon. I have been in the beauty industry for 23 years.

In addition to owning Hot Heads Salon, I also am an Artistic Team member of KMS California! What does this mean? I travel the country educating other stylists on the latest trends and intensive KMS cutting and styling programs. I am required to go through intense training myself to be prepared to instruct others. I am committed to being current and even setting trends in the hair industry.

I've been able to work with some hairdressing superstars throughout the years and truly enjoy the challenge of stage work. As much as I enjoy the travel, my roots are firmly in Genesee County where my children have been raised. I am completely committed to using all my skill and knowledge to make you your most beautiful!

I use all my own photo shoot work in our ads, Web site, Facebook and in-salon material, check out my work! Visit us on Facebook - Hotheads Leroy or Web site www.hotheadsleroynewyork.com

Hunter reports suspicious campers in Le Roy, but no criminal activity found

By Howard B. Owens

A group of twentysomthing campers out in the woods of Le Roy on a fine fall afternoon got an unexpected visit from K-9 "Pharoah" today.

A hunter in the area had reported suspicious activity and five people with a tent in the woods.

There was also a car in the area that didn't have matching plates. The area was also the same area where some marijuana cultivation took place a few years ago. There had also been some burglaries in Pavilion this week and the car matched a vehicle that had been spotted in the area.

The campers were not as easy to find as the initial caller said they would be, but with all of these unconnected dots, Pharoah was called in to assist Le Roy PD in locating the group of people.

It turned out to be nothing more than three -- not five -- young people having set up an overnight camp out in the woods. 

When they were finally located there was no indication of any illegal activity at the campsite (which was north of Wright Avenue and West of Lake Street). There are also no clear property markers, so it wasn't even clear they were on private property (the village owns a one-acre triangle of land in the area).

The three people, whom Deputy Brian Thompson (above with Pharoah) described as very cooperative, were sent on their way with no charges filed.

Sheriff's Office seeks owner of black and red 2011 Kandi ATV/dune buggy found near Le Roy Country Club

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office received a report last evening from the Le Roy Country Club that a golfer had found a dune buggy in the weeds off hole #3 with the keys in it. Deputies recovered a two-seat, black and red, 2011 Kandi 150cc ATV/dune buggy in excellent condition however, it would not start. The location was near railroad tracks that run through the area. At this time the owner is unknown. Anyone having information as to the owner is asked to call the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at 585-343-5000.

Apartment resident treated for smoke inhalation after pot left burning on a stove

By Howard B. Owens

A person was treated for apparent smoke inhalation after a pot was reportedly left on a stove burner in an apartment at 18 Genesee St., Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire Department responded to the call after an alarm sounded in the apartment building. With a hallway seeming to fill with more smoke, and no immediate cause of the smoke yet discovered, a chief asked dispatchers to upgrade the call to a structure fire.

Bergen and Pavilion fire companies were dispatched.

Within seconds, a resident apparently emerged and reported the pot on fire, but said she had put the fire out.

Once it was confirmed that the fire was out, the second alarm was cancelled.

The resident was treated by Le Roy ambulance medics and Le Roy fire ventilated the apartment.

Le Roy fire is now back in service.


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Car wreck on westbound Thruway, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

An accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 384.4. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding. Injuries are said to be minor. Traffic is backing up. "Sounds like a truck was stopped on the shoulder of the road and a vehicle may have rear-ended it," says a dispatcher.

UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: A responder says one passenger is "sitting up but is disoriented."

Law and Order: Batavia man charged with burglary and assault following alleged domestic incident

By Howard B. Owens

Leon C. Bloom, 31, of 122 State St., Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, strangulation, 2nd, assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Bloom is accused of unlawfully entering a dwelling of a family member Sept. 22 and assaulting and strangling the victim while children were present.

David Lee Langdon, 27, of 219 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment. Langdon was arrested following an alleged domestic incident. No further details released. Langdon was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Trevor M. Rich, 32, of 13 Clay St., Le Roy, is charged with disobeying a mandate. Rich is accused of violating an order of protection.

Terry L. Ritchey, 41, of 8927 Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and unlawful possession of marijuana. Ritchey was stopped at 11:50 p.m. Wednesdayon Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Jason Davis.

Carla L. Spikes, 23, 39 S. Pearl St., Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Spikes is accused of being involved in a domestic incident with a city resident.

William Edward Atherton, 62, of Pearl Street, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant related to an alleged violation of probation. Atherton was arrested in Warsaw and arraigned in County Court then released to County Probation.

Daniel Thomas Henning, 33, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Henning allegedly stole $40.85 in merchandise from Walmart.

Devon L. Heveron, 21, of Medina, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Heveron was stopped at 2 p.m. Tuesday on Route 63, Town of Pavilion, by State Police.

Carrie A. Stewart, 33, of Attica, is charged with petit larceny, criminal trespass, 3rd, and false personation. Stewart was arrested by State Police Batavia at Target. No further details released.

Possible house fire on Telephone Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A possible house fire is reported at 7635 Telephone Road. The homeowner called dispatch and said the house was full of smoke. Pavilion Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Le Roy. The location is between South Street Road and Asbury Road.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: The first responder says "I've got a lot of smoke." A second platoon is called.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Mercy medics are also called along with mutual aid from Stafford, which is sending a tanker to the scene and a fill-in crew at Pavilion Fire Hall. The occupants are out of the home. The first floor is fully involved.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Bethany is responding, too. National Grid is called. A power line is down and dangerously close to firefighters -- "about five feet away."

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Bergen is called as well as Town of Batavia. Caledonia, which is to fill in for Le Roy, will also be asked to help access or set up apparatus to aid the firefighters.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: National Grid is asked to expedite the response because "there are power lines down all over the place.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: National Grid has a 15-minute ETA. Firefighters can't access part of the structure until power is shut off. "There's a power line right in front of it, can't access the east side at all."

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: Wyoming County dispatched Perry to the scene. The power is cut off.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: Firefighters are told there is gunpowder inside the home along with guns and propane cylinders.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: Alexander is on scene.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: The American Red Cross is called to provide emergency assistance to one adult. Churchville is called to fill in at Le Roy's Fire Hall.

UPDATE 4:12 p.m.: Inmates from the Wyoming Correctional Facility are being transported to the scene to help.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: Brothers James Lawrence Bearce and Kenneth Vincent Bearce lived in the house, along with a couple of dogs, which they saved. Along with brother Jack, they were traveling musicians years ago and had a recording studio in the structure. Ken said he's not sure how much of their inventory of recording tapes are salvageable, ditto for tools that were kept in the basement.

Grand Jury indicts man accused of seriously injuring patron of bar on Harvester Avenue

By Billie Owens

Shane M. Bell is indicted for second-degree assault, a Class D felony. With intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, he is accused of causing such injury to such person or to a third person in the vicinity of the Harvester Bar on Aug. 25. It is located at 100 Harvester Ave. in the City of Batavia.

Shannon L. Bartz is indicted for third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. She is accused of stealing property having a value in excess of $3,000 between October 2012 and March 2013 at the Pizza Hut, located at 412 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia. In count two of the indictment, she is accused of falsifying business records in the first degree, a Class E felony. With the intent to defraud, she allegedly made, or caused to be made, false entries in the business records at Pizza Hut or she omitted true entries, in violation of duty. Her alleged intent to defraud included intent to commit another crime -- larceny or to conceal larceny.

Beth M. Overacker is indicted for aggravated driving while impaired by drugs, a Class E felony. On May 25 in the Town of Batavia, she is accused of driving a 2007 Chevrolet on R. Stephen Hawley Drive while her ability was allegedly impaired by drugs and while a child of age 15 or less was a passenger. In count two, she is accused of the same thing, while having a second child age 15 or less also in the car. In count three, she is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree for knowingly and unlawfully possessing Alprazolam on May 25.

Wilfredo Camacho is indicted for aggravated driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, while in the Town of Le Roy on Sept. 21, 2012. He is alleged to have driven a 1999 Ford on the Thruway while intoxicated and while a child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count two, he is alleged to have had a BAC of .08  while a child age 15 or less was a passenger.

The Grand Jury for the July 2013 Term issued a no bill for Amanda T. Sterzick after it considered evidence relating to a possible charge of second-degree assault for incidents which occurred Aug. 9 in the City of Batavia.

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