Le Roy

Alexis Harper spent the first 11 years of her young life growing long, curly locks. From birth, Alexis never had a haircut, just trims.

Recently, the young girl from Le Roy decided 10 inches of her hair needed to go to somebody who could use it more -- a cancer patient.

According to her mother, Connie Harper, Alexis lost her grandfather to cancer 10 months ago and that inspired Alexis, who saw her grandfather lose his hair during treatment, to donate her mane.

Alexis came up with the idea entirely on her own, Harper said.

"She has no idea (as I was crying) what a good deed she did," Harper said.

Harper wanted to share her daughter's story in the hope it may inspire other young girls to donate their hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

Photos: Provided by Connie Harper.

There are three open issues Bob Bowcock wants to discuss with the Le Roy community next Wednesday, and none of the topics will involve high school girls with tics, except to say, he and his team found no environmental cause of the tics.

Bowcock, head of Integrated Resource Management, based in Claremont, Calif., was hired by environmental activist Erin Brockovich to investigate possible environmental causes for the tic outbreak in Le Roy about 10 months ago.

"We're not going to come out with a smoking gun and say, 'this is what caused it,' " Bowcock said.

If anything, he hopes to calm matters down, he said.

Bowcock will be with Brockovich at the American Legion Hall on Wednesday.

He said he felt an obligation to come back to the community to discuss what environmental and regulatory issues he and his team did uncover.

First, there is the four-mile-long, mile-wide TCE plume emanating from the Lehigh Valley Train Derailment Site on Gulf Road. While the federal Environmental Protection Agency acted quickly after all the recent attention was drawn to rusting barrels at the remediation site, he said there is no evidence the EPA is doing anything further to deal with the plume.

One of the issues the IRM team researched was whether there has been a greater number of cancer patients in Limerock and Caledonia. 

"We found two micrograms per litre of TCE in surface water in winter, and that’s bad, that's just bad," Bowcock said. "If we draw attention to that and the EPA steps it up, great, victory."

There was a study completed by the state in 2001 which showed in that ZIP code there were a couple of more lung cancer patients and a couple fewer prostrate cancer patients per capita.

The differences, Bowcock said, were insignificant.

The second issue is MTBE (a now-banned gasoline additive) found in three residential wells on Harris Road.

Bowcock said he wants to draw attention to that issue in the hopes it will lead to the municipal water line being extended to Harris Road.

Bowcock said the source for the MTBE has not been identified.

The third issue was brought out in the testing and report completed by Leader Professional Services. In June, the school district released the report from Leader saying the stack on the school's boiler system needed to be taller.

Bowcock said he will discuss any community concerns over that issue, but said the school district has shown quite a bit of cooperation with the community since February and school officials have done everything they said they were going to do.

There are three constituencies asking Brockovich and Bowcock to release information on these issues, with some home owners emailing weekly -- the people in the Limerock and Caledonia area, the residents of Harris Road, and environmental groups that have been monitoring the situation in Le Roy.

The meeting, Bowcock said, is meant to provide concerned citizens with information. While not excluding the media, no press release went out notifying the media of the meeting because he is not trying to stir up any controversy or alarm in Le Roy.

"If anything I hope to dispel all of these community issues that are still out there," Bowcock said.

The timing of the visit coincides with Brockovich and Bowcock conducting an unrelated environmental community meeting in Watertown on Thursday.

PHOTO: File Photo of Bob Bowcock

"It isn't often that someone makes it big in the music business, nor for the number of years that John Dittrich (second from left in picture) has."

So says Greg Luetticke, co-owner of Frost Ridge Campground in Le Roy, which will host the Grammy-nominated country music band "Restless Heart" at a concert on Friday, Aug. 17.

Dittrich, a native of Batavia and a 1970 Batavia High School graduate, has been with "Restless Heart" for more than 20 years as a drummer and vocalist. The other band members are, from left, Paul Gregg, Larry Stewart, Greg Jennings and Dave Innis.

"It's amazing to still be able to do what I do," Dittrich said.

He embarked on a profession in music in 1975, and has enjoyed a long and successful career that owes itself, in large part, to a Batavia City School District teacher.

"My most important influence and probably the guy I would credit with helping me in this direction was Neil Hartwick," Dittrich said.

Hartwick was the Batavia Middle School band director and the director of the jazz workshop at the high school.

"He brought in Ed Shaughnessy (of "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson") to do a concert," Dittrich said. "And when I found out that Mr. Hartwick had invited him specifically for me, that blew me away."

As a college student, Dittrich went to New York City once a month for two years to study under Shaughnessy.

"And he remembered me," he said.

As an original member of "Restless Heart," Dittrich was part of what he calls a "crossover" period in the history of country music.

"Our producer (Tim Dubois) had written some songs that were kind of in a gray area as far as the market was concerned," he said. "They were too pop for country, but not pop enough for pop."

Part of the band's success, Dittrich said, was due to the willingness of RCA Records to take a chance on them.

"There was a strong push in traditional country music at the time," he said. "But some groups did have more edgy music and enjoyed some success. RCA liked the direction of our music and they were willing to make the investment."

In addition to four Grammy nominations, "Restless Heart" has had six #1 hits and seven Country Music Association nominations. They have also been lucky to see 26 of their singles make the Billboard Country Charts. Their numerous crossover hits include the 1992 song "When She Cries."

A good 15-20 years have passed since Dittrich last returned to Genesee County. He said it will be "pretty nice" to be back for the concert, especially since some old friends and 10 family members will be in attendance.

"I hope somebody gives me a beef on weck!" he added.

The concert is part of the three-day "Jam at the Ridge." Gates will open at 4 p.m. Friday, with the concert itself starting at 4:30.

"Restless Heart" will go on at 8:30 p.m. for a performance of about 75-90 minutes. Singers Worthy Duncan and Johnny Bauer will open the show.

Here are the ticket prices:

Regular seating: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate.

Preferred seating: $22 in advance, $29 at the gate.

Preferred Plus seating: $42 in advance, $55 at the gate.

VIP seating: $79 in advance, $99 at the gate.

VIP seating includes front row seats, a private meet-and-greet dinner with "Restless Heart," a poster for autographing and a picture with the band.

Frost Ridge Campground is located at 8101 Conlon Road in Le Roy. For more information, call 768-4883 or go to www.frostridge.com.

Photo submitted by Greg Luetticke

A patron of Tops Market in Le Roy, who was in a cart for the handicapped, was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot and there are injuries. Le Roy fire and Mercy medics are responding. The store is located at 128 W. Main St.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: The patient was transported to UMMC.

Some people in Le Roy are being asked to get the word out about an appearance by Erin Brockovich on Aug. 22 at the American Legion Hall in Le Roy.

The copy of the flier above originated with Bob Bowcock of Integrated Resource Management, Inc., in Claremont, Calif.

The Batavian placed a couple of calls to Bowcock's mobile phone Monday evening for clarification and more information but only got his voice mail.

Brockovich is an attorney and environmental advocate who got involved in the conversion disorder issue in Le Roy after a group of Le Roy High School students started manifesting tic-like symptoms. She made a couple of national TV appearances on the topic.

Bowcock is the environmental consultant hired by Brockovich to visit Le Roy in January and conduct his own investigation into what may have been causing the tics. As part of his visit, Bocock brought national attention to the Lehigh Railroad spill, which showed all appearances of improper remediation by the EPA; however, Bowcock concluded the spill had not migrated toward the school.

A source warned that Brockovich's team has promised previous visits that did not materialize.

There's a car "occupied times three" doing donuts in the parking lot of a pizzeria in Le Roy. "Can you put me on the Pizza Land caper," says a Le Roy police officer, now on scene. It's located at 131 W. Main St.

UPDATE 7:42 p.m.: The driver of the car is no longer doing donuts in the parking lot of Pizza Land. The three funsters will have to find new entertainment. We assume the driver was ticketed.

A mother called dispatch to complain that her pregnant daughter's boyfriend allegedly took her daughter's pack of cigarettes, which she had purchased for her, and has since left the Le Roy residence. She'd like some justice.

In 2011, 7-Eleven, Inc., acquired the Buffalo-based Wilson Farms chain and according to an industry report, the company that pioneered the convenience store concept decided to sell three of newly purchased locations in Genesee County.

According to CSPnet.com, 7-Eleven will sell two locations in Batavia and one Le Roy.

The Batavia locations would appear to be the stores at corner of Ellicott and Cedar streets and at 189 Pearl St.

A month or so ago, 7-Eleven converted the Wilson Farm at 505 E. Main St., Batavia, to its own branded store.

It appears 7-Eleven is unloading the locations that sell gas.

"In any acquisition of an entire chain, there will inevitably be some stores that don't fit with a buyer's long-term strategic plans," said Robbie Radant, 7-Eleven vice president of mergers and acquisitions. "Such is the case with these 30 properties. While not right for our current operations, we believe they will provide great opportunities for the right buyers, as they did for Wilson Farms over the years."

UPDATED 11:01 a.m. with information on origin of the spikes.

Parents who took their children yesterday to the Wildwood Park Playground in Le Roy discovered a potentially dangerous situation when they noticed four-inch metal spikes placed at the bottom of slides.

No children were reported injured by the spikes.

A total of three spikes, partially buried in the sand, were located, according to Le Roy PD.

The spikes appear to be the type used to anchor a rubber plate for a pitcher's mound and appear to have come from a nearby baseball field, Det. John Condidorio said.

"We do believe we know the origin of the spikes," Condidorio said. "We simply don't know who removed them and placed them in such a dangerous location."

The park is located on Munson Street Extension.

The mothers checked the rest of the playground and discovered no additional foreign objects.

Le Roy PD with the assistance of Village of Le Roy DPW used metal detectors to check all of the playgrounds in Le Roy and no other dangerous objects were found.

Investigators are looking for further information related to the incident and anyone with information is asked to call 345-6350.

Le Roy PD is investigating a daytime residential burglary at the corner of Exchange Street and South Street some time on Aug. 3.

The victim stated that between 5:40 a.m. and 3:50 p.m., a person entered an attached garage, broke a window to the entry door and attempted entry into the residence.

Anyone with information that may assist the Le Roy PD in the investigation is asked to call (585) 343-5000.

Raymond L. Leach Jr., 55, of 24 Munson St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation and endangering the welfare of a child. Leach is accused of using his hands to choke another person. An order of protection for the victim was in place at the time of the alleged incident. The alleged incident occurred in the presence of a child at a location on Thorpe Street, City of Batavia. Leach was jailed on $5,000 bail.

UPDATE: Leach entered a guilty plea in Genesee County Court this morning in satisfaction of all the charges against him to one count of criminal contempt, 1st. The plea deal allows for shock probation (six months in jail followed by probation). When Judge Robert Noonan asked Leach to admit to choking his victim, Leach held a private conversation with his attorney, who then spoke with District Attorney Lawrence Friedman and Friedman agreed to amend the language of the charge to pushing his victim on the bed and causing her to fear for her safety).

Jamie L. Broadbent, 29, of 62 Swan St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Broadbent is accused of shoplifting $115 in merchandise from a West Main Street business.

Robert L. Van Buren, 51, of 3 Willow St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Van Buren is accused of stealing a bicycle from outside a business in Court Street Plaza on July 23.

Karen L. Stone, 45, of Elm Street, Le Roy, is charged with burglary, 2nd, a Class C felony, and petit larceny. Stone is accused of forcing her way into a residence of an acquaintance and damaging numerous items inside. Stone also allegedly stole items from the home. Stone was released under supervision of Genesee Justice following arraignment.

David J. Reschke, 21, of Transit Road, Stafford, is charged with seven counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. Reschke allegedly possessed seven forged checks of a friend and cashed the checks at different locations in the Village of Le Roy. Following arraignment, Reschke was jailed on $5,000 bail.

An injury accident is reported at 8411 Circular Hill Road near Gulf Road in Le Roy. A female is said to have a back injury. Le Roy Fire Department and Le Roy Ambulance Service are responding.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: Law enforcement is en route.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: The driver is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. The vehicle is totaled and will need a flatbed tow truck to remove it.

Sheriff's Officer personnel responded to Route 19 and the I-490 in the Town of Le Roy this morning for a report of a body found under the bridge.

It turned out the subject, who has not been identified, was unconscious and highly intoxicated, according to Sheriff Gary Maha.

The subject was from Rochester.

"We believe he had a domestic with his sister, who was en route to Cleveland, and she made him get out of the car," Maha said. "He had superficial injuries, probably from falling."

Maha said there was a cup of alcohol on the guard rail.

The subject was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

A suspect in a series of burglaries in Le Roy and Batavia who was taken into custody during an alleged break-in a week ago has been charged with one count of burglary.

Russell P. Cessna, 24, of 18 Pleasant St., Le Roy, was arrested after being allegedly caught in the act on Summit Street, Batavia.

Investigators say Cessna made forcible entry into the residence and stole jewelry, cash and coins.

Following a series of similar burglaries in Le Roy, Batavia and other parts of Genesee County, the Le Roy PD, Batavia PD and Sheriff's Office cooperated on an investigation and set up a surveillance detail, which led to Cessna's arrest.

Cessna was taken into custody and held in jail on a warrant for alleged violation of parole.

Additional burglary charges are pending. He will be arraigned in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m., Tuesday.

An 88-year-old Le Roy resident, Marie Costa, died this morning in a single-car  accident in the Village of Le Roy.

Costa's vehicle reportedly jumped the curb in front of McDonald's Restaurant and traveled along the south sidewalk of Main Street and collided with the former Pontillo's Restaurant building.

The accident was reported at 7:46 a.m.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the accident and Costa's death.

Le Roy fire, Le Roy ambulance, Le Roy DPW and the Sheriff's Office Crash Management Team assisted Le Roy PD at the scene.

Photo: Reader submitted photo.

A serious injury accident is reported at 67 49 Main St. in the Village of Le Roy. A car reportedly struck a pole and the front of the McDonald's restaurant a building. The vehicle is smoking. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: A Le Roy police officer on scene says the driver is an elderly female who is not trapped in the vehicle, but needs help to be extricated.

UPDATE 7:54 a.m.: There is structural damage to the building and a code enforcement officer is called to the scene. (The car struck the former Pontillo's building at 49 Main St.)

UPDATE 7:59 a.m.: An officer inquires about the availability of a member of law enforcement's Crash Management Team to respond.

UPDATE 8:04 a.m.: "We've exhausted all our resources in contacting code enforcement and the building owner," says a dispatcher, but they are continuing to try and make contact. A code officer from Stafford is en route instead.

UPDATE 8:10 a.m.: "We are forcing entry into the building and making sure everything is shut off. Le Roy PD has been advised," says the fire chief on scene. The driver is being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 10:33 a.m.: We confirmed with dispatch the building struck was the former Pontillo's location.