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Le Roy

GC Highway Superintendent Tim Hens is president-elect of National Association of County Engineers

By Billie Owens

Washington, D.C. – Genesee County, New York Highway Superintendent Timothy Hens was installed as President-elect of the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) at their recent annual meeting and technical conference. Hens’ term will run through April of 2019.

NACE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional association in its 62nd year, representing over 2,400 county road officials and related professionals in the United States and Canada. It's motto is "The Voice of County Road Officials."

In the United States, local roads account for about 75 percent of highways and roads, or 2.93 million miles. Counties manage 1.74 million miles of those roads. Counties also own 231,000 bridges and operate one-third of the nation’s transit systems.

“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve the nation’s county road professionals,” Hens said. “County infrastructure is the basis for a successful American economy.

"From getting goods to market to ensuring a safe and efficient ride from work for our residents, county-owned transportation infrastructure will lead the way towards economic prosperity for decades to come.”

Hens has been the superintendent of Highways for Genesee County since 1998. In this capacity he functions as the County Engineer and oversees a number of county departments including, highways, airport, water, environmental health, facility maintenance, and parks, recreation and forestry.

Hens and his wife, Eve, have three college-aged children and reside in Le Roy.

Working apartment fire reported on South Lake Road, Bergen

By Billie Owens

A working structure fire is reported at 46 S. Lake Ave., Bergen.

Route 19 will be shut down. The fire is a one-story ranch with an apartment in the back. A caller to dispatch reported seeing black smoke coming from the rear of the building.

Le Roy fire is responding mutual aid.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: The city's Fast Team is called to the scene.

UPDATE 5:32 p.m.: The city's first platoon is recalled to headquarters.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: One engine out of Byron is called to fill in at Bergen Fire Station.

UPDATE 5:37 p.m.: The fire is "possibly knocked down," so all remaining units traveling to the scene -- like Chili and Churchville -- are told to back it down.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: They are working to shut power off; ventilating structure.

Law and Order: Man reportedly found lying in roadway at 3 a.m. charged with DWAI

By Howard B. Owens

Joshua David Sumeriski, 33, of Buffalo Street, Alexander, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, uninspected motor vehicle, driver's view obstructed, and disorderly conduct. Sumeriski was charged after Deputy Mathew Clor responded at 3:21 a.m. Thursday to Transit Road, Bethany, to investigate a complaint of a man lying in the roadway.

Carrie A. Poray, 40, of Oatka Trail, Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Poray was located by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and taken into custody for failure to appear on two traffic tickets in City Court. Poray was ordered to pay a fine before her next court appearance and released.

Jordan S. Thomas, 19, of East Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Thomas is accused of failing to comply with conditions of supervised release. Thomas was arraigned and jailed.

Joseph D. Berry, 32, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Berry allegedly held a large rock and threatened to inflict bodily harm to a store clerk at 7-Eleven in Batavia at 8:15 p.m. on June 6. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Maya Samanta Wright, 23, of East Ridge Road, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wright allegedly struck a patron of a business on Park Road, Batavia.

Chelsea Lorraine McEwen, 19, of Fleetwood Drive, Brockport, is charged with harassment, 2nd. McEwen is accused of punching another person in the face during an argument reported at 8:53 p.m. Sunday at a location on Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Laura Jean Santiago, 55, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Santiago was stopped at 8:56 p.m. Friday on Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Mathew Clor.

William George Horner, 67, of Bank Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment, 2nd. Horner is accused of grabbing another person by the throat and applying pressure and pushing that person during an incident reported at 10 p.m. Friday on Bank Street Road, Batavia.

Todd A. Rich, 47, of Webster, and Justin T. Rich, 24, of Webster, are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The two men were stopped by State Police at 1:15 a.m. this morning on Route 19 in Le Roy.

House fire in Village of Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A house fire is reported at 4 Washington Ave. in the Village of Le Roy. The location is between Hilltop and Jefferson. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Bergen, Stafford, Pavilion, Caledonia, and the town and city of Batavia.

Command at the scene says they are going to ventilate the front of the structure and start using hand tools to take apart the porch.

UPDATE 2:53 a.m.: Command calls for lighting in the back of the structure.

UPDATE 2:58 a.m.: National Grid has been notified; no ETA.

UPDATE 3:25 a.m.: National Grid's response is canceled. City fire is returning to service.

UPDATE 3:27 a.m.: Bergen and Pavilion are returning to service. The fire is out.

Fundraiser for nonprofit that aids caregivers is June 15 in Darien Center

By Billie Owens

Ann and Dave Scherff, of Le Roy, are planning a rare getaway, a respite from caregiving for their disabled adult son who lives with them, and someone else is picking up the tab.

It's actually a nonprofit organization in Manlius, east of Syracuse, that is footing the bill for a two-day stay at a bed-and-breakfast inn. The motto of David's Refuge is "Caring for the Caregiver."

It is a mission with an outreach that is growing in Western New York.

Several Genesee County families like the Scherffs have benefitted from this charity, which provides respite, resources and support to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening conditions.

The goal is to help them be refreshed, restored and renewed in their caregiving roles.

It's easy to burn out.

"Knowing that someone else cares, that we're not alone, being supported -- has given me hope," Ann says.

The couple has a total of five adult children, three of whom have disabilities, but only one remains at home. Still, they have oversight responsiblity for their two other disabled sons, in addition to Ann's disabled sister-in-law.

When they go away, they arrange for professional nursing staff to care for their live-in son.

They have gone on four two-day hotel stays so far. Families aided by David's Refuge are eligible to go on one per year. Afterward, they are also given a $50 gift certificate to enjoy at a local restaurant.

"Doing something to put yourself first," as Ann says, is uncommon for people like the Scherffs.

Families such as theirs not infrequently incur extraordinary expenses while caring for their loved ones; not everything is covered by insurance or government assistance. So splurging on a weekend away is a luxury too rich to contemplate in a lot of cases, even though the results are beneficial to mind, body and spirit.

The widely recognized conundrum provides impetus for the outreach that David's Refuge does.

"We are currently serving 250 families, 120 of whom are from the Western New York area, including Rochester, Buffalo and surrounding communities," said Christine Corbett, director of philanthropy for David's Refuge.

To help their cause, the organization is hosting a fundraiser in Darien Center on Friday, June 15, at the new and beautiful boutique hotel River Spring Lodge. It is operated by David (AKA "Chef Dave") and Carolyn Hamer.

Called "Fireworks for Friends," the 7 to 10 p.m. event will feature a private fireworks display, live music, two beer or wine tickets, free parking and a silent auction. Culinary delights will be served up by Chef Dave, including hors d' oeuvres to pass as well as stationary appetizers.

The cuisine, which Chef Dave defines as "refined American," is highly praised. Guests gush that it is "incredible, exquisite, amazing and remarkable."

Cost per ticket is $50 for "Friends for Fireworks." River Spring Lodge is located at 1961A Church Road, Darien Center.

The Scherffs plan to attend.

To purchase tickets, visit here, or contact Christine Corbett at (315) 382-4204 or email her at Christine.corbett@davidsrefuge.org

To find out more about David's Refuge, click here.

Visit the River Spring Lodge online here.

GCEDC board accepts applications for assistance from two projects

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) voted to accept applications for incentives for two projects at the agency’s June 7th board meeting and direct the staff to set public hearings. The combined projects would create 20 new jobs and approximately $7.6 million in capital investment.

J. Rental is seeking sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions of approximately $723,000 to build a new 60,000-square-foot facility on 19.5 acres in the Apple Trees Acres business park in Bergen. The $6.3 million project would create 15 new jobs. The company will be investing $14 for every one dollar of public benefit.

Lancor Development Corp. is proposing to invest $1.3 million to build a 12,000-square-foot facility in the new Le Roy Food and Technology Park. The project would create five new jobs and retain seven jobs. Lancor is seeking sales and property tax exemptions of approximately $122,000. For every $1 of public benefit, the company is investing $28.5 into the local economy.

“We are very excited to see the first development at our latest shovel-ready site in Le Roy,” said GCEDC Board Chair Paul Battaglia. “We have worked collaboratively with our local government partners to get the park off the ground. With the first tenant committing to the site we are fulfilling the GCEDC’s mission to rejuvenate manufacturing, grow the local tax base, create jobs and grow the overall regional economy.”

In 2013 the GCEDC board moved forward with a plan to create the 75-acre shovel-ready park in the Town of Le Roy. This project was identified to reverse the generational decline in manufacturing in Le Roy including the loss of nearly 500 jobs (-17.6 percent) in the last five years. Upon successful build-out of the park up to 1,000 jobs could be housed there in the long term, with anticipated manufacturing facility space at full build-out of approximately 600,000 square feet.

Law and Order: Rochester woman accused of drug possession after allegedly trying to steal vacuum

By Howard B. Owens

Kelly Lyn Widzinski, 35, of Reddick Lane, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, criminal using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and petit larceny. Widzinski is accused of trying to steal a vacuum cleaner from Target. During the investigation, she was allegedly found in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Widzinksi was allegedly found in possession of stolen property unrelated to Target. She was jailed on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond.

David W. Weadon, 31, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs; reckless driving; criminal possession of a weapon, 4th; unlawful possession of marijuana; consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle; tailgating; failure to keep right; unsecured license plate; and unlawful stickers in windshield. Weadon was stopped by a Wyoming County deputy on Route 19, Covington, following a complaint about a vehicle being driven in an unsafe manner in the Town of Warsaw. Following the complaint and the deputy intercepted the vehicle and followed it. The deputy reported the driver was still operating in the same "aggressive" manner. During the traffic stop, Weadon was allegedly found to be drinking alcohol in the vehicle and in possession of an unlawful billy club. He reportedly failed a field sobriety test. He was evaluated for drug use and allegedly found to be impaired by multiple categories of drugs. 

Nicholas Peter Garbarini, 36, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with stalking, 4th. Garbarini was charged following a lengthy investigation into a series of incidents at Genesee County Mental Health. Garbarini was held without bail.

Jason Allen McFollins, of Union Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. McFollins turned himself in. He is accused of failing to comply with a court-ordered program by missing a day of that program.

Ricky N. Porter Jr., 27, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Porter was arrested on a warrant. He is accused of making alarming and threatening statements toward another person over the phone. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Raymond J. Radley, 52, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with nine counts of criminal contempt, 1st. Radley is accused of violating a full stay away order of protection between February and May by repeatedly communicating with the protected party. He was jailed without bail.

John M. Carr, 21, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Carr was stopped on the I-490 in Le Roy by State Police at 9:55 p.m. Monday.

Hannah S. Schreiber, 24, of Palmyra, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct. Schreiber was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 7:22 p.m. Sunday on Alleghany Road in the Town of Darien by State Police. No further details released.

Mr. Magic, with his unique 'FUNBELIEVABLE' style, to perform free at Woodward library June 20

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Greg Phillips -- AKA "Mr. Magic" -- has been performing since the age of 7.

He is a Le Roy High School graduate and is returning to his hometown for a FREE Libraries Rock! Magic Show!

It will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, at Woodward Memorial Library.

Mr. Magic's unique and “FUNBELIEVABLE” style has come from years of real world experience in front of thousands of audiences of all kinds.

He has studied magic, clowning, mime and performance with some of the world’s greats to make his presentations the best they can be. You’ll be entertained with lots of styles of magic, comedy and storytelling. His infectious personality and style will draw you in!

Registration is appreciated by calling 768-8300. This program is for all ages!

Woodward library is located at 7 Wolcott St. in Le Roy.

Sponsored Post: Motivated sellers here -- call Reliant today

By Lisa Ace


8041 E. Main St., Le Roy -- Opportunity awaits next owners of this property! Home is site of successful long-term, family-run farm market -- this is a true homestead! Super solid, well-kept one family home, With over 2,100 square feet and room to grow!

Bright and spacious this home has great layout with 2 bedrooms and full bath downstairs as well as 3 bedrooms and full bath up, they don't build them like this anymore! Custom oak kitchen with cupboards galore and large family/dining area. Basement is high and dry -- amazing extra space, storage, or hobby/work area!

Sitting on 2+ acres outside features awesome 24x32 outbuilding currently farm market-with all utilities and 8x16 cooler as well! Already established location the possibilities are endless all you have to do is move in and start living!

A lot to see here-call today! Call Lynn Bezon at 585-344-HOME today or click here for more information on this listing.

4243 W. Ave., Elba --
Super opportunity to own this beautifully remodeled from top to bottom country home! Literally from the studs up, this home has been done -- electrical, drywall, furnace, central air, flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, windows and siding!

The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets -- the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom bath and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience!

The location is on quiet country road within five-minute drive of Thruway and shopping. Home has public water as well -- all the pluses of country living with amenities!

Definitely one to check out -- why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost! Call Lynn Bezon at 585-344-HOME today or click here for more information on this listing.

Softball: Calmum defeats Le Roy 6-3 in state qualifier

By Steve Ognibene

Le Roy's Haley Scripp two-run RBI scored Smith and Trader, which gave the Knights their only lead of the game in the second inning yesterday afternoon on Anderson field at Batavia High School.

Calmum's Grace Walker (pictured above) solo home run in the third inning tied the game to ignite the Red Raiders. Makenzie Wilson and Andrea Coyle both scored in the fourth to extend the lead 4-2.   

Walker missed another home run following the next at bat to score two players and lead 6-2 after four. Haley Scripp got an RBI in the seventh to score Fenstermaker. Red Raiders win 6-3.

Senior Hannah Rubinrott tossed a four-hitter, including five strikeouts, and kept the Oatkan Knights out of scoring position in four innings.

Caledonia-Mumford will play Section VI Chautauqua Lake in the Far West Regionals in Fillmore tomorrow at 4 p.m.

To view or purchase game photos click here.

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Two Genesee County RIT students named to 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District Team

By Billie Owens

From Joe Venniro, executive director of Sports Information at RIT:

ROCHESTER -- Senior Jennifer Crossen (Basom, Oakfield-Alabama HS) and junior Becca Schwan (Le Roy, LeRoy HS) of the RIT women's track and field team were named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District® Women's Track/Cross Country Team, selected by CoSIDA, which recognizes the nation's top student athletes for their combined performances on the playing field and in the classroom.

First-team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the Google Cloud Academic All-America® ballot, with Google Cloud Academic All-America® teams to be announced in June.

Crossen, who carries a tremendous 3.96 grade-point average as a Chemical Engineering major, was named co-winner of the 2018 Dr. Mark Ellingson Award for Academic Excellence, given by the RIT Athletics department.

Crossen earned her second consecutive USTFCCCA All-Academic accolade during the 2017 cross-country season. She earned an impressive 37th-place finish in a season-best time of 22:59.9 at the Atlantic Region Championship, just missing All-Region accolades. Crossen was also 22nd overall at the Highlander Invitational and 37th at the Liberty League Championship. She earned Liberty League Cross Country All-Academic Team accolades in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

On May 14, Crossen broke an outdoor track and field school record in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 17:41.66 at the Swarthmore Final Qualifier Meet. She was also third in the same event at the Liberty League Championship and was victorious at the Cardinal Classic. Crossen was also part of the victorious distance medley team at the 2018 Liberty League Indoor Track and Field Championship. She is a three-time Liberty League All-Academic team selection.

Schwan enjoyed a tremendous season for the Tigers in 2017-18, as a top competitor in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. She carries a strong 3.88 grade-point average, majoring in both Marketing and Hospitality and Tourism Management.

During the cross-country season, Schwan was the race winner at the season-opening Highlander Twilight Invitational on Sept. 1 and was RIT's top runner in four additional events. Schwan finished seventh at the Liberty League Championship, earning All-Liberty League first team honors, her second-straight league honor.

She also earned All-Region honors at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship, finishing 21st with an overall season-best time of 22:44.4, one spot shy of qualifying for the NCAA Championship. In addition, she recorded two more top-10 finishes during the season and earned USTFCCCA and Liberty League All-Academic team honors for the second-straight year.

Schwan made her first appearance at the NCAA Championships during the indoor season, competing in the 800-meters. She won three events (800-meters, 4 x 400-meter relay and distance medley relay) at the 2018 Liberty League Indoor Track and Field Championship Feb. 23-24. During the outdoor season, Schwan broke a school record at the Swarthmore Final Qualifier meet on May 14, crossing the finish line in 4:37.27 and was also part of the 4 x 400-meter relay team that shattered a school mark at the All-Region Championship (3:59.07).

Schwan won the 1,500-meters at the Liberty League Championship and All-Region honors during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. She is also a two-time Liberty League All-Academic selection.

Photos: Fine Art Night at Le Roy HS

By Howard B. Owens

Among the young artists with featured displays last night at Le Roy High School's Fine Arts Night was Austin Hampton.

Austin is a senior and plans to pursue a career in art, with a focus on fine art and perhaps becoming an art teacher.

He said he always loved art but the teachers at Le Roy helped that love bloom into a passion.

"They're great teachers," Austin said. "They always help me with hands-on activities. Their techniques help me with mine, as well."

He said when he's not at school, at home, his focus is art. He spends at least five hours a day of his own time on art.

"I’m always making art, doing something," Austin said. "I always have to have a pen in my hand."

Grand Jury: Man indicted for allegedly stealing 20-foot trailer in Alabama

By Billie Owens

Paul D. Rutherford is indicted for the crime of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 14 in the Town of Alabama, that Rutherford stole property exceeding a value of $1,000 -- a 2017 Eagle American 20-foot trailer.

Timothy O. Lee is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 28 in the Town of Le Roy that Lee knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug, cocaine, with intent to sell it. In count two, he is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged in count two that he knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more preparation, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug and these had an aggregate weight of one-eighth of an ounce or more. In count three, the defendant is accused of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count three that on Nov. 28 in the Town of Le Roy that he knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child under age 17. In count four, he is accused of the same crime as in count three, involving a second child less than 17 years of age.

Gary D. Burney is indicted for the crie of second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that in the late evening on April 20 or early morning on April 21 that he knowingly entered or remained unlawfully inside a dwelling on North Spruce Street in the City of Batavia with intent to commit a crime.

Edward J. White is accused of the crime of promoting prison contraband, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 26 in the Genesee County Jail that he knowingly and unlawfully possessed dangerous contraband -- alcohol. In count two, he is accused of the same crime for allegedly possessing a Bic lighter on Dec. 29. In count three, he is accused of the same crime again on Dec. 29 for allegedly possessing alcohol, two Gabapentin pills, four Strattera pills and four bupropion hydrochloride pills.

Brian T. Resch is indicted for the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 10 in the Genesee County Jail that the defendant knowingly and unlawfully sold an unspecified narcotic preparation.

Rebecca S. Hensel is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 29 in the Town of Batavia that she drove a 2010 Chevrolet on West Main Street Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, she is accused of DWI, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or greater at the time. In count three, Hensel is accused of speeding at the time, a violation of vehicle and traffic law. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney's Office, she is accused of having been convicted of misdemeanor DWI on June 15, 2011, in Batavia City Court and that conviction was within 10 years of the crimes allegd in the current indictment.

It's a block party in Le Roy as Knights celebrate a bevy of sectional titles

By Howard B. Owens

Photos and info submitted by Le Roy Principal Tim McArdle.

Over the past four days, the Le Roy Oatkan Knights have won three Section V team championships in boys track & field, tennis, and softball, and nine individual titles in track & field.

Saturday at Avon High School the boys' track & field team ran away with the Section V Class CC Championship, scoring 111 points and winning by 45 points. This is the 11th Track and Field Title since 2007 for the program. 

Tuesday night at Naples Elementary School the tennis team defended their Section V Championship by dominating Wellsville 5-0. The Knights are undefeated on the season at 13-0. The win is the third title in tennis in school history. 

Tuesday night at Bloomfield Elementary School the softball team won its seventh straight game upsetting #1 Gananda en route to the Section V Class C1 Championship, 5-3. The team knocked off the third, second, and first seeds to win their second title in three years. The Knights have now won four softball sectional titles in school history. 

"A huge thank you to our Le Roy fire and police departments for welcoming home our Champions," Le Roy Principal Tim McArdle said. "We can’t thank them enough for always bringing out the entire fleet for our Oatkan Knights."

The 2017-2018 school year has brought home six Section V championships (volleyball, winter cheerleading, boys winter track & field, spring boys track & field, tennis, and softball) which is the most team championships won in a sports year in school history. The Oatkan Knights also brought home 13 individual titles (winter track & field, wrestling, and spring track & field) this school year. 

Jam At The Ridge June 15th for a cure to type-1 diabetes with Jason Michael Carroll

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Friday, June 15th, national recording artist Jason Michael Carroll will headline the Country Jam in Le Roy to support the great research efforts of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Special guests Eric Van Houten and Eric Van Houten will join this great benefit party along with Rebel's Posse. Concert starts at 2 p.m.

As always, this is a family friendly event, so children are welcome and FREE. 

Special-priced lawn tickets are just $10, and VIP with a seat provided just $15 when purchased in pairs. A $2 donation will be made to JDRF Rochester for each of these special tickets purchased.

See a great show and do some good for JDRF. GET TICKETS HERE

The Ridge NY has an outdoor, open-air, concert venue with amazing sound. Bring the children to build memories with activities and even a bounce house.

"The Ridge NY" Team 
www.TheRidgeNY.com
8101 Conlon Road
Le Roy, NY 14482
(585) 768-4883

Former Stafford resident gets probation in Le Roy grand theft case

By Billie Owens

A Monroe County musician who used to live in Stafford was sentenced to five years probation this afternoon, less time already served on interim probation, for his role in a Le Roy grand theft case.

Jonathan E. Seiger, about 56, was indicted in February of 2017 on 18 counts -- 17 Class E felonies and one Class A misdemeanor -- for unlawfully possessing and using a female friend's bank debit card. The charges also included criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy.

His former roommate, Scott H. Spencer, was a co-defendant in the case. Between Aug. 5 and 15, 2016, the duo used the debit card at an ATM machine, along with the friend's PIN identification, to withdraw $1,660.

Seiger, who is speech and/or hearing impaired and requires a sign language interpreter, appeared in Genesee County Court with his attorney, Clark Zimmermann. He said his client's half of the restitution has been paid.

A May 16 report from the Probation Department and one from Unity Mental Health were filed, finding Seiger to be largely compliant with the terms of his interim probation. The felonies were reduced to misdemeanors.

But there was a violation of interim probation -- failure to appear in court as ordered -- prompting today's court appearance. 

"I think there are some incorrect statements (in the report) by the Probation Department," Zimmermann said. "The Probation Department doesn't recommend giving probation a chance. Mr. Seiger has done what he was required to do."

Judge Charles Zambito set probation to expire on Aug. 29, 2022 and ordered an order of protection for the victim until May 29, 2026.

Spencer, who is also now living in Monroe County and on probation in the case, is responsible for $830 for his half of the restitution, but it has yet to be paid. However, a payment schedule has been set up.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell asked the court to make Seiger obligated for the balance due if anything should happen to Seiger's partner in crime and he becomes unable to pay it.

The clerk of the court spoke up and said the actual amount due the victim totals $1,743 -- not counting the check that a friend of Seiger's sent to the D.A. Office for Seiger's portion.

"She will be made whole," Zimmermann assured the court.

Zambito agreed to put in his ruling that Seiger is obligated to any restitution money due if Spencer defaults -- or dies. He also agreed to transfer the case to Monroe County Probation Department; ordered that a DNA sample be submitted to the state database; and called for a search of Seiger's property or person at anytime by Probation authorities, as requested by the people.

Zimmermann objected to the search clause, saying his client is not a drug offender, nor does he need treatment.

"It is overly intrusive," Zimmermann complained.

There was a brief conference at the bench at that point.

When the proceedings resumed, Finnell said he takes issue with a waiver of the search order; it is not related to any treatment concerns for the defendant.

"When he was taken into custody for failure to appear, in January, inappropriate material was found on his cell phone -- it was believed to be child porn," Finnell said. "(After investigation) none was found, but the browsing history showed a search for child porn. So the search conditions are warranted."

Zimmermann was silent.

The judge said he received concerns from Probation about their ability to properly supervise Seiger, and he said he also has concerns about that. He then specified that Seiger be ready at any time to have his person, residence or anything under his control subjected to a search by the Probation Department.

He will have to abide by a curfew.

The judge declined to require Seiger to inform an employer of his criminal history.

He will have to provide authorities with his employment and education records, and will have to submit to therapy should that be recommended. Seiger cannot possess firearms. He has to have a substance abuse evaluation and a mental health evaluation done within the next four weeks.

Seiger -- who is stoutish, about 5' 6" with dark curly hair -- wore a dark suit and white shirt to court. He will not be required, as was requested, to write a letter of apology to the victim.

The probationer can have no contact with former roommate Spencer, unless he clears it with the Probation Department first. Spencer sometimes books and manages music gigs, so he can't avoid him entirely and still make a living, his attorney explained.

Because he still has a matter pending in Genesee County Court -- "a penal law 130" unspecified sex offense case -- Seiger will be allowed to travel to and from the courthouse.

He has 30 days to appeal the judge's ruling.

"Good luck, Mr. Seiger," Zambito said.

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of assault, resisting arrest after Central Avenue incident

By Howard B. Owens
Woodrow Horseman

Woodrow C. Horseman, 42, no permanent address, Batavia, is charged with attempted assault, 2nd, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, resisting arrest, and harassment, 2nd. Horseman was arrested after police responded to a report of a disturbance on Central Avenue at 11:38 p.m. May 23. Horseman was accused of punching another person in the back of the head with a closed fist while that person was assisting in the arrest of another person. Horseman was ordered held without bail.

Shaqueita L. Irvin, 26, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Irvin was charged after police responded to a complaint of a disturbance on Central Avenue at 11:38 p.m. May 23. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Ahdeosun R. Aiken, 20, of Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Aiken was arrested after police responded to a report of a disturbance at 11:40 p.m., May 24, on Central Avenue. Aiken was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Lamont C. Crimes, 42, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 1st. Crimes is accused of stabbing another person with a knife during a fight at 4:30 p.m. Monday at a location on Church Street, Elba. 

Holly Marie Squires, 32, of West Bank Street, Albion, is charged with robbery, 2nd, and assault, 3rd. Squires allegedly stole money while being aided by another person and caused injury to the victim. Squires was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Jessica L. DeRidder, 30, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. DeRidder is accused of stealing the money of another tenant of a residence on State Street, by keeping rent money for herself instead of paying the landlord.

Jordan S. Thomas, 19, of East Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Thomas was allegedly found in possession of a bicycle that had been reported stolen from outside Genesee County Probation on May 9. (Previously: Batavia man needs his bike back)

Walter B. Hale Jr., 40, of East Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, endangering the welfare of a child, and failure to stop at a stop sign. Hale was stopped at 8:33 p.m. May 15 on Summit Street, by officers Christopher Lindsay and Chad Richards. Hale is accused of having a passenger on his motorcycle less than 16 years old.

Trametrias L. Scott, 40, of Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to stop at stop sign, driving without stop lamps, uninspected motor vehicle, and circumventing interlock device. Scott was stopped at 8:45 p.m. Sunday on Route 33, Begen, by State Police. A trooper reported detecting the odor of alcohol after a traffic stop at Route 33 and Apple Tree Road, Bergen. Scott is accused of failing a field sobriety test. Her breath sample was allegedly .24 BAC. She was jailed on $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

Alexis R. Chavez, 19, of Pearl Street, Medina, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, unlawful possession of marijuana, driving while using a mobile device, and blocking a highway. Chavez is accused of stopping his vehicle without moving at West Main and Oak streets, Batavia, through four cycles of the traffic light. He was allegedly on his mobile phone. Officers Jason Ivison and Kevin DeFelice responded to the complaint.

Alexander H. Koch, 23, of Buffalo, is charged with DWI, failure to yield at an intersection, and failure to notify DMV of an address change. Koch was stopped by State Police after he allegedly turned from Snipery Road onto Route 33 in the Town of Pembroke and failed to yield to a trooper's patrol car, which had the right of way at 12:38 a.m. Sunday. Troopers say Koch failed a field sobriety test.

Joshua R. Nanni, 24, of Oakfield, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, unsafe turn, and driving left of pavement markings. State Police responded to the Town of Pembroke at 10:40 p.m. May 22 for a report of a vehicle unable to maintain its lane. A trooper stopped Nanni after observing his vehicle allegedly engage in several traffic violations. The trooper reportedly detected the odor of alcohol and observed the driver's eyes were glassy.  Nanni allegedly failed a field sobriety test. A drug recognition expert also assisted in the investigation and Nanni provided a blood sample.

Nasir C. Nathan, 22, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Nathan was allegedly involved in an argument on Watson Street, Batavia, at 6:54 p.m. Saturday. Nathan is accused of throwing a styrofoam cup at another person.

Amber L. LaRock, 18, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. LaRock was arrested in connection with an incident on Lewis Place reported at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Travis L. Ettinger, 30, of West Avenue, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and speeding. Ettinger was stopped on Pearl Street, Batavia, at 11:19 a.m. Saturday by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Heather D. Wendt, 32, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Wendt was charged after a child was found unattended at 12:54 p.m. May 17 on Holland Avenue, Batavia.

Donna M. Fidanza, 48, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, and conspiracy, 6th. Fidanza was charged following an investigation into the left of property from a residence on East Main Street at 11:45 a.m. March 26.

Jonathan D. Wilson Jr., 36, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Wilson was reportedly involved in a minor motor-vehicle accident at 4:46 a.m. May 20 on East Main Street, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Korbin R. Ground, 20, of Crittenden Road, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Ground was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at 9:46 p.m. May 22 on North Street, Batavia, by officers Jason Davis and Christopher Lindsay.

Joseph A. Kliszak, 19, of Meadow Drive, Alden, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Kliszak was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at 11:27 p.m. May 22 at a location on North Street, Batavia, by Officer Jason Davis.

Eric J. Bratcher, 29, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Bratcher allegedly failed to obey an officer's commands during an investigation of a domestic incident on Pringle Avenue at 12:52 a.m. Wednesday.

James Michael Young, 54, of Thomas Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd. Young allegedly choked the victim after she confronted him about not returning a vehicle.

William Ransom Dieter Jr., 44, of Bennett Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Dieter was stopped at 2:55 a.m. Saturday on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Christopher M. Dilaura, 38, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, moving from lane unsafely, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Dilaura was stopped by State Police at 5:25 p.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia.

An 18-year-old from Batavia and Tricia M. Martinez, 25, of Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. The two people are accused of stealing in the Town of Pembroke at 12:16 p.m. Friday. They were arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Swinging shovels in a Le Roy mobile home park

By Billie Owens

People are "swinging shovels at each other" -- fighting at a mobile home park in Le Roy. Law enforcement is responding. 

We don't have the exact location of the mobile home park. It's in the 8700 block of Lake Street Road.

Free Financial Education seminar offered at Le Roy HS library

By Billie Owens

A free Financial Education seminar will be held at Le Roy High School in the library at 6 p.m. on Thurday, June 14.

It is located at 9300 South Street Road, Le Roy.

Instructor Diana Wagner will present simple financial concepts to help individuals and families: control and eliminate debt; save for retirement; and properly protect income.

The focus is on having a solid foundation for a good financial future and helping young people start out on the right foot making sound choices and forming beneficial habits.

Please register to participate by calling 768-8131.

Double robotics gives fifth-grader chance for virtual classroom experience

By Maria Pericozzi

Hailey Coniber’s favorite subject to study in school is science, which she learns through her robot, Lenny, which attends classes every day at Wolcott Street School in Le Roy for her.

The fifth-grader was one of the first students in the district to use double robotics to attend classes from home for the last three years.

Hailey said it is fun learning through the robot, and she doesn’t feel like she is missing out anymore, not being at school.

“I get to be with my friends,” Hailey said.

Hailey was diagnosed with Stage 4 Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma in 2009 and is currently being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. Due to weekly clinic appointments and 27 daily doses of medication, Hailey needs to attend school from home.

In Hailey’s treatment, her mother, Missy Coniber, said she doesn’t see a near future where Hailey can attend school in person.

“The doctors would like the scans to be clear for five years, and we haven’t reached anything near that point,” Coniber said.

That's where double robotics comes in.

Double  robotics is  a term -- also the name of the company that makes the devices -- for a robot that is on wheels, has a camera and display screen, allowing it to travel through a remote space from the robot's user to allow that user to virtually be in that location. Hailey is using it for school but double robotics are also used by remote workers to connect with the home office. 

As long as Hailey's robot is turned on, Hailey can control everything from her laptop.

“I control it with the keypad,” Hailey said.

Hailey signs into an app which allows her to control the robot’s movements.  

Not only can she control the movements with the arrow keys, but if Hailey has a question, the robot itself can be raised up, like she would be raising her hand.

Lenny has changed Hailey’s schooling drastically, Coniber said.

“Before the robot, we did two years of tutoring, and we were only getting six hours a week of tutoring and she was falling behind,” Coniber said. “We knew her medical treatments could be a long process.”

The idea came from the WSS principal, Carol Messura, who heard of double robotics and reached out to EduTech to learn more.

The Coniber family offered to pay for a robot because it was a test and they weren’t sure how well it would work, and the school system got it approved through the Board of Education and purchased the robot.

“We’re very fortunate to have the school system that we do,” Coniber said.

The summer before Hailey started using the robot, associates from EduTech tested it to make sure they fully understood how it operated.

“There were some quirks at the beginning that we had to work out, and once we got that worked out, it has become a smooth transition,” Coniber said.

Once the robot was put into the classroom, teachers, students, and the robot adapted well, Coniber said.

“The students don’t see it as a robot anymore,” Coniber said. “They see it as just Hailey.”

Coniber said she would highly recommend the robots for other families in similar situations, as a cost-effective alternative for school systems.

“Now she’s getting a full day of school,” Coniber said. “We can take the laptop or iPad to the hospital and she can attend school from the hospital if she is in-patient, so it has cut down on the number of absences.”

Photo courtesy our news partner, 13WHAM. For 13WHAM's story on Hailey, click here.

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