Le Roy

A Stafford resident who was charged with the care of a 2-year-old child in the Village of Le Roy has been accused of intentionally breaking that child's bones and then not seeking proper medical treatment for the child.

Le Roy PD began investigating the allegations in February after it was discovered the child had suffered multiple fractures to a leg and arm and had significant, "highly suspicious" bruises on its body.

Arrested was Christina Pahura, 28, of Main Road, Stafford. She's been charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The assault charge carries an enhancement because Pahura is over 18 years old and allegedly intentionally harmed a child under age 7.

Investigators allege that while a resident on School Street, Le Roy, Pahura intentionally caused physical injury to the child and then allowed the child to remain in a residential situation during a time when several additional bruises developed and a limp developed. Pahura was advised -- by whom is unstated -- to seek medical treatment for the child, but did not, which resulted in further bruising and an untreated leg fracture.

Pahura was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. 

Members of Genesee County's rope rescue team trained at Indian Falls -- the site of many such real-life rescues over the years -- with a new rope system, called a Vortex.

The $25,000 system (including LED lighting) features a more sophisticated, and more effective and efficient, pulley system, making it easier to keep the ropes clear of obstructions and requiring less exertion of force to raise a patient lifter, making it easier for a medic to accompany the patient up the side of the cliff. 

Top photo: Christina Marinaccio and Jamie Call, the first team to descend and ascend with the new system. Marinaccio and Call are both city firefighters and volunteers (with Le Roy and Stafford, respectively).

To find out how you can do interesting things like this, help save lives and serve your community, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Edwin David Young, 54, of Furnaceville Road, Ontario, Canada, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .25 or greater, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely. Young was reportedly involved in an accident at 6:55 a.m. Friday on Route 77, Alabama, which was investigated by Deputy Lonnie Nati. 

Horatio Coleman, 61, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Coleman was allegedly in Walmart after being banned from the store.

Scott D. Fairfield, 21, of Maple Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Fairfield was arrested following a report of a suspicious condition by Le Roy PD.

Stephen E. Couglar, 45, of Wayland, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Couglar was charged following a traffic stop by Le Roy PD.

Erin K Douglas, 39, of Lyell Ave, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to change address and speeding in zone. Douglas was stopped by Le Roy PD on Aug. 15. He was jailed on $750 bail.

Dezarae P. Benedict, 22, of Bigelow Avenue, Silver Springs, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and inadequate muffler. Benedict was stopped Saturday by Le Roy PD.

Steven A. Miller, 25, of Clark Street, Spencerport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and speeding in zone. Miller was stopped Sunday by Le Roy PD.

The man who fell 12 feet Friday morning on Gully Road, Le Roy, died as a result of the accident. Kenneth Stein was an owner of Stein Farms, a 3,000-acre dairy operation, he ran with his brothers Dale and Ray and other family members. The 55-year-old was brother-in-law to Genesee County Legislator Shelley Stein.

Emergency responders from Le Roy and Caledonia, as well as Mercy Flight, were called to 8343 Gully Road at about 10:30 a.m. Friday after dispatchers received a call that an adult male had fallen and was unresponsive. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Arrangements are being completed by Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service of Le Roy.

An adult male fell 12 feet and is unresponsive at 8343 Gully Road, Stein Farms, in Le Roy. Mercy Flight is called to the scene. Le Roy fire will set up the landing zone and Caledonia ambulance is dispatched for mutual aid to handle the medical call.

UPDATE 10:34 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 has a five-minute ETA. The landing zone is north of the farm in a cornfield with cornstalk stubble.

Press release: 

Sarah Noble-Moag’s roots are deeply immersed in the business of agriculture. Her family tree spans across generations of farmers and thousands of acres of land. Although she is deeply immersed in her family business called Noblehurst Farms, she truly knows the value of giving back to the community.

Noble-Moag was recently honored with the Genesee Valley School Board Association’s Albert Hawk Award. This award is presented annually to a current or former school board member for outstanding contributions to public education and children in his or her own community.

Noble-Moag is modest about her accomplishments but the list of her contributions is long and noteworthy.

“I come from a family of educators. Becoming a board member was a natural extension of the stewardship that my family has supported for generations,” she said.

Noble-Moag serves on a number of local, regional and state boards including the Agricultural Affiliates Board of Directors, and the New York State Agricultural Society. In 2014, she was appointed to the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation Board of Directors.

She served for 11 years on the Pavilion School Board and held positions as trustee, vice president and president of the board of education. Her efforts for continued improvement resulted in the district being honored as a “Reward School” by New York state in 2007 and again in 2014. Noble-Moag was instrumental in the development of a new career and technical education program offered by the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and Genesee Community College.

The Agri-Business Academy gives high school seniors the opportunity to explore careers in the agricultural field as they earn college credit. During her time as trustee, the Pavilion School Board was faced with difficult decisions especially when the district faced drastic budget cuts due to the Gap Elimination Adjustment. But some of her best moments were when she was able to witness students’ successes.

“After a capital improvement project was completed, I was at school for an event," Noble-Moag said. "I looked up and saw students on stage in the new auditorium. As I glanced around, I saw the."

Making those complicated decisions during challenging times can be difficult, said Ken Ellison, superintendent of Pavilion Central Schools. According to Ellison, Noble-Moag always kept the students’ best interests as the top priority.

He said: “During her board tenure, Sarah’s leadership contributed in so many powerful ways. Sarah was a valued partner during the merger/annexation study with Wyoming CS. A merger process can be an emotionally charged event and very divisive in the school communities involved.

"Sarah brought wisdom and perspective to a very challenging process. Sarah also served on the PCS Board during one of the most challenging fiscal periods ever faced by our school. At one point our Gap Elimination Adjustment was $1.6 million dollars. Sarah was a vital partner in developing strategies, and in some cases sacrifices, to keep the district on firm financial footing."

Education has always been a valued priority in her family hence the reason for her dedication to the Pavilion Central School District. Many generations of both the Noble and Moag families have graced the halls and walked the graduation stage at Pavilion Central. Noble-Moag’s mother was a home economics teacher and her mother-in-law worked in the library.

But what resounds deeply with Noble-Moag are words from her grandmother’s senior thesis from Cortland written in 1926.

“Just now there is fraud in business, humbug in politics, back biting, slander and deceit in social intercourse. Do you want your children to repair to such practices as a standard of conduct? We must give them an education, which will lift them infinitely above the moral and intellectual level of life outside the school, today. We must teach them to aspire to be all they can.” -- Written by Rella Smith in 1926.

“These words resonate with me; my grandmother was a wise woman. It’s vital that we provide our children with the best education possible," Noble-Moag said. “By becoming involved with their school districts, parents can make a difference and have a voice in making decisions for their children and students."

Noble-Moag is a graduate of Cornell University. She resides in Pavilion with her husband, Timothy Moag. They are the parents of three grown children, Griffin, Rella (named for Noble-Moag’s grandmother) and Austin.

Employees of Home Depot engaged in a community project yesterday in Le Roy, replacing the roof, painting and making other repairs to the storage shed used by Le Roy Youth Football at Bunnell Park. TeamDepot is funded by the Home Depot Foundation and is dedicated to using Home Depot resources to help local communities.

Pictured are Chris Hodges (top photo), Eva Hamers and Zach Fay.

This truism is too apropos not to use: There are changes afoot in Le Roy.

The departure of legendary Head Coach Brian Moran after 26 years at the helm is well documented. This year, longtime assistant Brian Herdlein takes over the program. Gone also is Anthony Paladino, after 30 years. The new defensive coordinator is Peter Greene, who served for eight years as an assistant with the JV squad. And despite 16 returning seniors, Le Roy is turning to new talent at skilled positions, including QB, where junior Josh Laurie takes over for Mike McMullen.

The big surprise, though, comes with blue fingernail polish and a ponytail. Mary Purdy will become the school's first girl to play varsity football.

Purdy decided to forego soccer this year and so she was encouraged by football staff and players to try out for kicker.

"We're not trying ot make history," Herdlein said. "It was a situation where she was playing a different sport before. She didn't want to do that this year and she approached us about playing football and kicking for us. We had her come out. We had her kicking some footballs. The first day I show up, I see her kicking 35-yard field goals no problem. So of course, for me, I think that's a weapon, so to me I don't look at her differently than anything. She comes out, she does everything everyone one else is doing on the field. She'll go through the drills with us and then she'll do her kicking."

Purdy would also like to downplay any talk of her blazing a new trail. She's more focused on helping her team win and having fun playing football.

"I was hoping no one would draw so much attention to it," Purdy said. "I'm just happy to present my skill set wherever it's needed, but I guess it's kind of cool to be the first female to come through the area and play football."

Mostly, Herdlein is preaching continuity. He's not concentrating on the changes, just on the same values that has made Oatkan Knight football successful for decades: hard work, discipline and preparation.

"For me, it's just a title change," Herdlein said. "The rest of the staff has been here a long time. They know what they're doing. The kids know all of us. It's not that big of a change."

Herdlein will continue as offensive coordinator, a role he held in recent years under Moran, so the schemes won't change much.

"I'm not reinventing the wheel," Herdlein said. "They've been very successful here, so it's not like I'm the person who is going to come in and say, 'you haven't done it right before.' "

Laurie does bring a different skill set to the offense than McMullen. Herdlein described him as more mobile, so look for him to scramble more, run more.

"He's a kid who's very mature," Herdlein said. "He plays a lot of travel baseball on an elite team, so he's had that pressure situation before. He's ready to take the job."

Offensive linemen Ben Carmichael and Dave Englerth say they like what they see so far out of their new coach and their teammates.

"I'm very excited," Carmichael said. "I think we have a good team. I think we have a lot of new guys coming up who have a lot of talent. Our line especially is stacked and I think we're going to do very well this year."

Herdlein has put an additional emphasis on conditioning, which Englerth said will payoff for the team.

"I think we can make it to sectionals," Englerth said. "I think we have the ability."

With only 29 players, Herdlein said conditioning is critical for his team.

"We need to make sure the guys we have can last for four quarters of a football game," Herdlein said.

Among the players he looking to provide leadership are Nick Egling and Ryan Boyce.

Egling moves into the fullback position and Boyce, the son of a former Knight's QB, David Boyce, will be a receiver, free safety and long snapper.

"Nick will definitely be a force for us this year," Herdlein said. "We're going to be giving him the ball a lot. And Ryan has been around since he was a small boy. He knows the program. He is definitely going to step into a leadership role."

A year of changes, yes, but the expectations remain the same: Work hard, be tough, play to win.

In most embezzlement cases, said Judge Robert C. Noonan during the sentencing of Dennis Snow, the victim is "out for blood."

That wasn't the case with Snow, who was accused of stealing at least $16,000 from the Le Roy Fire Department. In this case, some members of the department sent in letters asking for some degree of leniency with Snow, even those who thought Snow should spend some time in jail.

Even Det. John Condidorio, whom Noonan characterized as "strong willed," wrote a letter in support of Snow.

However, an element of sentencing, said Noonan, is that a sentence should not "cause the public to lose confidence in the justice system."

"People ask why a woman can steal a scarf from Walmart and go to jail but a person who steals tens of thousands of dollars doesn't," Noonan said.

Those in the judicial system understand all the factors that go into sentencing an individual, but that doesn't satisfy the public's confusion over the disparity.

For that reason, Noonan sentenced Snow to a 30-day intermittent jail term. From 6 p.m. on Fridays until 6 p.m. on Sundays, Snow will serve time in the Genesee County Jail. His sentence starts this Friday.

Snow's attorney, Clark Zimmerman, tried to argue that any jail time could jeopardize Snow's job, which occasionally requires travel and weekend work.

"I don't think anybody wants that to happen given the amount of restitution required," Zimmerman said.

He also noted that Snow's wife has significant health issues.

At one time, Snow was accused of stealing $60,000 from the fire department, a figure first uncovered by the state's Office of Comptroller. The firefighters' benevolence association had an independent audit completed and arrived at a figure unpaid of just over $16,000.  

Snow was apparently taking money and returning some of it over a period of time. Zimmerman said he always made sure the department had enough money to cover critical expenses. He didn't disclose what Snow was doing with the money. He said his client had already reimbursed the department at least $8,000, but as a term of the plea deal, Snow could not dispute the restitution claim.

Upon completion of his jail term, Snow will be on probation for five years.

When asked to speak, Snow sobbed throughout his short statement to Noonan.

"I want to apologize in public to the Le Roy Fire Department and all the members, past and present, whose trust I violated," Snow said.

He apologized to his family for embrassing them and to the community that he said he has loved for 30 years.

A lightning strike to a residence is reported at 9290 York Road, Le Roy.

There is a report of smoke in the residence.

Le Roy fire and a tanker from Pavilion along with Le Roy Ambulance are dispatched.

UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 10:14 p.m.: A mutual aid company on standby at its hall has been put back in service.

UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: Fire police can open up the road. Le Roy units going back in service, except for the chief in charge at the scene, who will remain, awaiting National Grid.

A grass fire is reportedly moving from the Thruway near the Le Roy exit -- between mile marker 377 and 378, eastbound -- and toward some woods. Le Roy Fire Department is responding.

Timothy J. Corke II, 28, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested twice on Aug. 5 by Le Roy Police. Corke was arrested about 3:45 p.m. and charged with endangering the welfare of a child following an investigation into an incident. Corke allegedly threw a wristwatch at a 3-year-old child then slapped the child across the head causing bruises on the child's forehead and left eye. He was arraigned in the Le Roy Town Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice and a full stay away order of protection was issued. Later that night Corke was arrested again and charged with criminal contempt of court after he allegedly called the protected person violating the order of protection. He was arraigned and put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Cherylann Bevilacqua, 29, of Depew, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest following a traffic stop on Sumner Road in Darien. Bevilacqua was a passenger and exited the vehicle while the driver was performing a sobriety test. Deputies told her to get back in the vehicle but she allegedly refused to do so. When confronted, she allegedly started to punch, scratch and spit at a deputy. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Joseph M. Platten, 31, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, leaving the scene of a property damaged accident, following too closely, backing unsafely, and no front plate after a hit and run accident on Ross Street Aug. 4. Platten allegedly rear-ended another vehicle and fled the scene cutting through a parking lot. Platten's front license plate fell off his vehicle at the scene of the accident. In addition to the charges, he was issued traffic tickets for driving with an obstructed view and disobeying a traffic control device. He posted $250 bail.

Andrew L. Kosiorek, 43, of Haven Lane, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and unlicensed operator following a traffic stop by Officer Chad Richards on Cedar Street. Kosiorek allegedly had multiple suspensions/revocations and did not possess a valid driver's license in any state. He was put in Genesee County Jail without bail.

A 16-year-old from Elba is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway. Deputy Joseph Corona pulled over the youth on Clinton Street Road in Stafford.

A 17-year-old from Varysburg is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. The youth allegedly shot a BB gun pistol at the rear window of a vehicle causing it to shatter. The incident occurred in the parking lot at Walmart in Batavia.

Charles-Gus T. Williams, 36, of Lockport, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child after an alleged domestic incident on Liberty Street in Batavia. Williams is accused of punching another person.

Cynthia E. Houseknecht, 35, of Jackson Street, Batavia, and Melvin L. Thomas are charged with harassment, 2nd, following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident. 

Charles W. Lococo, 25, of Depew, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, unlicensed operation, and failure to obey a police officer. While leaving the Kid Rock Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Lococo was pulled over by deputies after he failed to obey a traffic direction. Lococo is accused of driving while in an intoxicated condition with no driver's license. He was also ticketed for allegedly refusing a prescreen device.

Ralph A. Jones, 24, from Oregon, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driving while ability impaired by drugs following a traffic stop by Deputy Michael Lute on Alleghany Road in Pembroke.

Tera M. Williams, 42, of Bacon Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant issued out of Batavia City Court after Chili Police pulled her over for a traffic stop. Williams is accused of failing to pay a fine for a disorderly conduct conviction. She was turned over to Batavia Police and issued an appearance ticket.

A structure fire is reported at 8062 Harris Road. Le Roy and Pavilion fire departments are responding. The location is said to be a metal-working shop behind a residence. It's by Linwood and Asbury roads.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: "It's going to be a stove fire, knocked down in that shop," says a dispatcher.

Jessica Horton, 25, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with seven counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and grand larceny, 3rd, following an investigation by the Genesee County Department of Social Services. Horton is accused of receiving more than $10,000 in Temporary Assistance and Food Stamp benefits that she was not entitled to after she submitted various forms stating her two children were residing with her when they were not. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Tia E. Schmieder, 23, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and identity theft, 2nd. Schmieder allegedly used another person's Target credit card without authorization to purchase $2,685 worth of merchandise from the Batavia store. Schmieder also is accused of using the same person's Bank of America credit card account number to obtain services exceeding $1,482 at Alex's Place and Best Western Crown Inn in Batavia.

Yolanda E. Johnson, 29, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny following an investigation into a report of money that was allegedly stolen from a Byron resident. Johnson is accused of stealing money on two occasions while she was working at the person's home as an aide.

An accident with possible injuries is reported at West Main and Clay streets in Le Roy. Le Roy Ambulance Service is already en route and Le Roy fire is responding.

Nancy Burke (left) shows off a firefighting-themed quilt she made during a fundraising event at Frostridge Campground for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department. The event included the waterslide (later in the afternoon) and appearance by the department's trucks, a chance auction and food. David and Greg Luetticke-Archbell have hosted an event honoring the fire department volunteers annually for the past several years. Also holding the quilt is Michelle Dries.

(Kate Parmenter, Lori Steinbrenner and Julie Laurie)

Personal Preference Salon and Spa on Main Street in Le Roy held its 25 year anniversary customer appreciation celebration last night.

Family, friends, clients and even owner Lori Steinbrenner's cosmetology teacher came out to commemorate the accomplishment.

Steinbrenner and her three other stylists, Julie Laurie, Linda White and Kate Parmenter serve clients old and young. The salon offers hair styling and coloring services, manicures, pedicures and waxing.

“I love what I do so it’s not a job,” Steinbrenner said. “My goal is to form personal connections with my clients and make them feel comfortable.”

Steinbrenner has been working as a hair stylist for 34 years. She has lived in Le Roy her entire life and couldn’t imagine having her business anywhere else. Before owning her own salon, she worked for nine years at the same location on Main Street when it was formerly called Bev’s Beauty Shop. Steinbrenner purchased the salon in 1990 and renamed it Personal Preference.

“Le Roy is a warm, cozy and inviting community,” Steinbrenner said. “I plan on staying in business for many more years.”

In the future, Steinbrenner is looking to expand and offer massages and facials.

(Lori Steinbrenner with her family)

A nutrition and wellness consultant from Le Roy offers advice on how to accomplish wellness goals and live healthier in her new book "90 Days to Holistic Wellness: Balancing Your Body, Mind, Heart and Soul."

Tracy Martorana, author and owner of Holisitc Wellness with Tracy, transformed her life by implementing a series of small changes into her daily routine and decided to write her first book to help people develop healthier and happier lifestyles in three months.

Martorana's book guides readers along a week-by-week program. Each week Matorana gives advice on a wellness topic and offers one small change readers can make to improve their lives. In order to be healthy, she believes people need to develop a balance in their lives so she focuses on a variety of topics including nutrition, meditation, exercising and journaling.

"I only ask my readers to make one change a week so it's not overwhelming," Martorana said. "For each small change, I offer several options so they can adjust the change to meet their daily lifestyles."

In addition to offering advice, she provides readers with tools for setting their own wellness goals and tracking their changes. The weekly sections also build upon the previous ones so the 12 small changes add up to a significant change.

"I chose 90 days because it's a long enough time for my readers to experience a decent return," Martorana said. "The goal is to have readers start to feel healthier and notice the benefits so they are inspired to continue practicing the changes after 90 days."

Martorana will be having her first book launch party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 58 On Main in Le Roy on Wednesday, Aug. 19. She will be signing books in exchange for a small donation to Grace's Kitchen, an organization that offers a free dinner to the community every Tuesday. There will be books for sale, giveaways and refreshments.