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Le Roy PD suspects that a Buffalo-area man who is accused of stealing $700 worth of baby formula and two boxes of diapers intended to sell the products on the black market, or as the press release put it, at "unscrupulous locations."

A store employee at the unnamed retail location in Le Roy is credited by police with providing crucial information to help catch the alleged shoplifter.

Taken into custody and charged with petit larceny was Edward P. Clark, 23, of Lakeview.

According to Le Roy PD, a store employee spotted an alleged shoplifter leave the store and contacted the dispatch center with a description of the individual, his vehicle and plate number.

As Le Roy PD gathered information at the scene of the alleged crime, law enforcement units in the area were notified of the suspected crime and description of the alleged perpetrator.

After about 10 minutes, a vehicle matching the description was located and stopped by a Sheriff's deputy and state trooper on Route 5, westbound toward Batavia.

The items that were alleged to have been stolen were found inside the vehicle.

The tote contained 44 containers of baby formula.

Clark was jailed on $1,000 bail.

A 22-year-old Le Roy resident who broke into a friend's house and stole a PS3 game system has 30 days to show Judge Robert C. Noonan he "gets it."

Eric Bratcher, of 7 ½ North St., Le Roy, entered a guilty plea to third-degree burglary after originally being charged with burglary, 2nd, and offered a chance at a "split sentence" (possibly six months in jail and five years probation).

After his guilty plea, he was released under supervision of Genesee Justice with certain requirements for his conduct, including no drug use.

The next time Bratcher came before Noonan, he was accused of smoking marijuana while out of jail under supervision, so Noonan sent him back to jail to await his sentencing.

At that hearing, according to Noonan, Bratcher "editorialized" that he didn't see why it was a big deal. "It was just a little weed," according to Noonan.

Since that time, while in jail, Bratcher has reportedly been going through some rehabilitation programs and making progress.

Rather than sentence him today, Noonan gave Bratcher 30 more days to show what sort of progress he can make. He remains jailed without bail.

Noonan could send Bratcher to state prison.

"I'm not certain it won’t come around to the point where a split sentence could be possible," Noonan said. "I’m going to have to be shown something that Mr. Bratcher gets it and I just haven’t seen it yet."

Noonan expressed concern that Bratcher doesn't understand he committed a serious crime.

"You haven't shown me that you understand that you went into somebody's house and -- even though it was a friend and even though it was just a PS3 that was stolen -- the statement he gave on the condition of his residence before he had any idea it was you (was) 'it looks like a burglary,' " Noonan said. "It doesn't look like a friend who just happened to wander into a friend's house."

There isn't much new news in Genesee County so far this morning.

There was a massive fire in Wyoming County over night, in Castile and several fire departments from Genesee County responded.

A 25-year-old restaurant, the village offices and town offices along with some apartments were destroyed. There is some concern for the safety of at least one person, though no confirmation of injuries or fatalities. Water had to be trucked in because the water main to the village is being repaired, so fire hydrants were not working. Here's coverage from WIVB and WHAM13.

We don't know what winter will bring weather-wise, but no matter how cold it gets, we can expect to pay 3 percent less for natural gas to heat our homes and businesses, National Grid announced yesterday. It's the lowest price level in eight years.

And Genesee County Economic Development Center shared this video created by Buffalo Niagara Enterprise to promote the Genesee Valley Agribusiness Park.

A 29-year-old Batavia man was arrested by federal authorities today and accused of transporting a minor to another state with the intent of sexual activity.

Timothy Logsdon was taken into custody following an investigation that started Saturday when the parents of a 16-year-old girl contacted the Genesee County Sheriff's Office to report her missing.

During an interview with FBI agents, the parents indicated the girl might be with Logsdon.

Authorities obtained a court order and traced Logsdon's mobile phone activity and determined he was in Kentucky.

That same day, State Police in Kentucky located Logsdon in Bowling Green and he was allegedly with the teenager.  

“Thanks to the awareness of the victim’s parents and the hard work by the FBI and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, this case was investigated and closed in extremely rapid fashion,” said U.S. Attorney William Hochul in a news release. “This is yet another example of how the public coming forward to police with important information can stop criminal conduct before it gets too far.” 

Logsdon remains in federal custody pending further legal proceedings.

UPDATE AND CORRECTION: The first name of the alleged perpetrator contained in the original post was wrong. The story has been changed to contain the correct first name.

According to online interviews Rochester resident Sean Madden has conducted over the past two years, he is as accomplished at working with troubled children as he is as an artist.

A surrealist whose work is sure to offend mainstream sensibilities, his pen-and-ink creations have been featured in books, on screen, in galleries and sought after by collectors.

It's also his artwork that may have cost him his job with the Byron-Bergen Central School District where he was employed as a counselor.

Contacted today, Superintendent Casey Kosiorek said he couldn't discuss a "confidential matter."

Madden also said he is not very interested in talking about the situation at this stage. He said it's very early in the process and he hasn't decided yet what, if any, message he wants to share with the media.

He confirmed he has spoken with attorneys from his teacher's union and the ACLU and agreed that the case is an interesting First Amendment matter.

All of the paintings and his promotion of his art were done away from the school and not during work hours, Madden confirmed.

Beyond that, he didn't want to say more until conferring further with lawyers.

In interviews with publications in Rochester and Buffalo, Madden has said he's a husband and father who was born in Buffalo, raised there in the 1970s, attended SUNY Brockport, and eventually obtained a master's degree in counselor education.

"I worked my way up the ladder in society," Madden told Rochester at Home, "from mopping floors, to serving in restaurants, to becoming a respected counselor. I’ve spent years working with the most violent, disturbed families and kids in the system.

"I’ve been in high demand throughout my career, as I’ve worked with the toughest cases. For many years, my specialty was working with emotionally disturbed kids in institutions. I’ve worked in classrooms that many people were too afraid to work in — the kids were too aggressive."

Without cooperation of the school district, it's unclear how long Madden was employed by Byron-Bergen, but according to See Through New York, his tenure goes back to at least 2008 and in 2011 he earned $59,000.

It's unknown to what degree the school district was aware of Madden's work prior to hiring him. The district has been through at least one change in superintendents since he started working there.

Unless the district issues a statement, we also don't know if there other issues, from the district's perspective, involved in the apparent dismissal of Madden.

Madden's personal Web site contains samples of his artwork, which features iconic subjects in surreal circumstances and in themes some may find distasteful.

The fact that not everybody will find his art appealing seems to be fine by Madden. He told Buffalo Rising that he isn't after the same kind of success as a guy who paints puppies.

"For a guy like me -- who does blasphemous, sexually explicit, psycho-representational work -- it's a much bigger deal," Madden said. "I'm not worried about the general public liking my work.

"After all, they haven't voted for a female president yet, so who cares what they think? The general public is stupid. However, the folks who understand my work -- weirdo intelligentsia -- them I care about."

Press release:

With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Car Care Month, Grease Lightning auto repair shops are for the third year partnering with AutoTex to sell AutoTex PINK wiper blades in their stores.

With each sale of AutoTex PINK products, a donation will be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The blades can be found locally at: Grease Lightning, 4003 West Main St., 2418 North Main St., Warsaw and at Castrol Premium Lube Express, 50 Liberty St. Batavia and 29 East South St., Geneseo.

AutoTex Pink wiper blades come in black with a pink ribbon insignia or an all pink style

Grease Lightning Founder Ben Thompson is thrilled to be partnering with AutoTex again.

“There is almost no one alive who isn't affected by breast cancer, either personally fighting the deadly disease, or watching a friend or loved one deal with the tragic consequences of breast cancer. Our team is happy to support the cause, and our customers seem happy when they make a purchase -- knowing that they are supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

AutoTex PINK is a women-owned and created company based in Pine Brook, NJ that is among the nation's leading global suppliers of windshield wipers. Get more info at www.autotexpink.com

Grease Lightning is on the Web at mygreaselightning.com

A driver allegedly failed to stop for a red light at the Texeco Town intersection in Pavilion at 1:09 p.m., Sunday, causing an accident that sent three people to area hospitals.

Andre Trepanier, age unknown, of Sainte-Threse, Quebec, Canada, was issued a traffic citation following the accident.

He was transported by Mercy EMS to Erie County Medical Center as was his passenger, Lise Trepanier, 72.

Also injured was Toby S. Emo, 37, of Nunda. Emo was taken to UMMC.

None of the injuries were life threatening.

According to the accident investigation report by Deputy Brad Mazur, Trepanier was westbound on Route 20 when he allegedly failed to stop for a red light. His 2011 Chevy sedan was struck by Emo's 2012 Ford minivan. The minivan then struck a utility pole.

(Initial Report)

Brandon M. Maldonado, 24, of 146 Summit St., Batavia, was arrested on warrants for alleged petit larceny and criminal mischief. Maldonado was located at the scene of the fire Sunday night at 140 Summit St.

Bethani M. Dibble, 20, of 146 Summit St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Dibble allegedly drove her vehicle into the porch and fence of her residence and then left the scene of the accident at 2:38 a.m., Saturday.

Daniel E. King, 36, of 2058 Phelps Road, Basom, is charged with petit larceny and harassment, 2nd. King is accused of stealing a can of Mike's Hard Lemonade from a convenience store on West Main Street and then hitting the store manager when confronted.

Daryl R. Hamler, 18, of 6786 Westcott Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Hamler was charged after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana while driving through a DWI checkpoint on Clinton Street.

Alicia M. Stanwick, 21, of 318 E. Main St., Apt. 2, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate stop lamps. Stanwick was stopped at 1:36 a.m., Sunday, on Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Katelyn Louise Hodgins, 24, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of pavement markings and open container. Hodgins was stopped at 1:17 a.m., Saturday, on Seven Springs Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Thomas Allen Pfalzer, 45, of Harper Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving while on a mobile phone, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and unlawful stopping or parking in the roadway. Pfalzer was allegedly located at 2:04 a.m., Saturday, in his vehicle stopped on Sumner Road, Darien, talking on his mobile phone. Upon investigation by Deputy Jason Saile, Pfalzer was allegedly found to be intoxicated.

Darrell Jerrod Holloway, 44, of Crowydon Road, Rochester, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay a fine. Holloway was taken into custody following his release from the Elmira Correctional Facility, where he was held on an unrelated matter. Holloway was jailed pending a court appearance.

Tyanna Desiree Green, 17, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Green allegedly stole two CDs from Kmart.

A stove is reportedly on fire inside the residence at 146 Summit St., Batavia.

City Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:47 p.m.: Engine 12 on scene reporting smoke coming from front door. First platoon requested to the scene. Second platoon requested to stand by at fire headquarters.

UPDATE 8:52 p.m.: There is fire reported in the ceiling. A firefighter requests the back windows of the structure be broken out.

UPDATE 8:55 p.m.: A Mercy rig requested to the scene for standby.

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 9:16 p.m.: Fire under control.

UPDATE 11:08 p.m.: City fire picking up on Summit.

PHOTOS: Submitted by Frank Capuano.

UPDATE: Press release from City fire:

The City of Batavia Fire Department was dispatched at 8:45 pm, Sunday, Sept. 30, to a reported stove fire at 146 Summit St. Engine 11 and Ladder 15 arrived on location at 8:47 p.m. with smoke showing from the front doorway and eaves. All occupants were out of the structure on arrival.

Interior crews found a fire in the kitchen and dining room on the first floor with extension into the ceiling, second floor and attic. The fire was quickly extinguished and salvage and overhaul completed. Damage to the structure and contents is estimate at around $40,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Captain Craig Williams was the incident commander. Assisting at the scene were City of Batavia Fire second-alarm personnel, Genesee County Emergency Management Office, Mercy EMS and National Grid.

The displaced occupants are staying with family members.

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James Pontillo wants to know who dumped 15 black commercial garbage bags in the Dumpster of his property in Stafford.

Pontillo is restoring the old Odd Fellow's Hall, the former location of the Stafford Trading Post, now known as Pontillo's Place, at the corner of Route 237 and Route 5.

He is offering $100 for the arrest and conviction of whomever dumped the garbage bags.

To report any information, the Sheriff's Office can be reached at 585-343-5000.

UPDATE 6:36 p.m.: Pontillo says the matter has been resolved.

Following a slow-speed chase through the Village of Le Roy, a Rochester resident was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including felony DWI and fleeing a police officer.

Nicholas M. Klusek, 31, of Electric Avenue, Rochester, was jailed on $25,000.

The chase started about 10 p.m., Friday, when a Le Roy PD officer observed Klusek's vehicle allegedly fail to stop for a stop sign and make a turn without a turn signal. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Klusek allegedly just kept driving.

The chase wound its way down several village streets and was joined by a Sheriff's deputy, who observed the driver stop at Village Square and run into the woods.

The deputy apprehended Klusek.

At one point, Klusek reportedly stopped his vehicle and as a Le Roy officer exited a patrol car, Klusek allegedly put his car in reverse and hit the passenger door of the patrol car.

The officer was not injured.

Besides felony DWI and fleeing, Klusek was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, unlawful possession of marijuana, 12 counts of failing to signal, five counts of failing to stop, two counts of speeding in zone, one count of failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, one count of leaving the scene of a property damage accident and one count of unsafe start.

The alleged assault on a police officer is a Class C felony.

A win by Elba/Byron-Bergen and a loss by Attica on Saturday puts the Lancers atop the Genesee Region Conference.

The Lancers beat Oakfield-Alabama 56-0 behind another big game fro Zack DuBois, who gained 331 yards on 25 carries, scoring touchdowns of 14, 3, 86 and 63 yards.  DuBois now has 1,198 yards rushing.

Zac Gillard was 4-6 for 67 yards and two TD passes. He had two carries for 36 yards.

Kyle Morse caught of Gillard's TD passes and gained 51 total yards.

Andy Underhill had 10 carries for 84 yards and one touchdown.

For the Hornets, QB Chase Manzella was 6-16 for 20 yards and five carries for 24 yards. Paul Ferraro had three receptions for 13 yards

On defense, Underhill had 17 tackles, including four tackles for a loss. Brandon Naylor, 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Nate Jonathan, eight tackles, five for a loss, one sack and one interception. Jon Levchuck had five tackles, two for a loss and half a sack. Chad Kowalik, two tackles and one interception.

On defense for O-A, Manzella, six tackles, Chris Nann, five tackles, Dominic D'Alba, one Interception and Danny Monachino had five tackles.

With the win, Elba/BB moves to 5-0 and is the last undefeated team in the GR.  Attica, who started the day 4-0 lost to Livonia 6-0.

In the only other local game on Saturday, Alexander lost to Holley, 44-12.

My intention was to stop for sweet corn. What I found when I pulled into Pully's Farm Market on Route 19 in Le Roy was a fall festival.

Owner Dave Pullyblank opened the market in the spring of 2008 on the farm that has been in his family since 1804. His goal then as now is to turn the farm into a family-friendly, agri-tourism attraction.

For fall, Pully has transformed his farm into a wonderland of play areas colored by the vibrant oranges, yellows and greens of the harvest season.

There is a corn maze, pumpkin cannon, corn (instead of sand) box and duck race, but Pully said the number-one attraction is the pumpkins.

The variety, he believes is the largest available in any single location in New York State.

"What I say is all these weird colored pumpkins, that’s fall," Pullyblank said. "You won’t find more variety of a decorative product in any other place. Anybody can grow an orange pumpkin. You won’t find anybody else growing that product in there (the green house)."

Pully's goal is to be a year-round destination. In the spring he sells bedding flowers, hanging baskets and vegetable seedlings. During the summer, he sells produce, including sweet corn, which he believes is the sweetest you'll find, plus tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash.

"The biggest thing I tell the folks, at the end of the day, the stuff that hasn’t sold goes to my cows, so when you come the next day, the stuff was picked that morning," Pullyblank said.

He wants kids to learn where their food comes from, Pully said. Eventually, he plans to include farm animals as part of his attractions for families.

For winter, Pully would like to sell u-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees, but two dry summers have slowed the growth of the trees.

What Pully doesn't sell, he brings in from other area farms.

"I can’t do it all, but I want to get it from the other farmers as close as I can," Pullyblank said.

All of the attractions and products at Pully's now will be available through the end of October.

The property has been in Pully's family for at least six generations and Pully got his start driving a tractor for his grandfather when he was 7. Pully said his farm is the last of the original four Le Roy farms still being run as a family operation by the original family.

The spring of 2008 turned out not to be a great time to start a new business, Pully admitted. It hasn't always been easy to grow a business during down economic times, but each year he keeps adding new products and new attractions.

"You have to keep going forward," Pullyblank said. "No matter what, you’ve got to keep going forward. If you don’t, you’re going to go stagnate and then there’s no reason for people to come out and see what you’re doing."

Pully's Farm Market is located 8160 Lake Road, Le Roy.

An ambulance is being dispatched to a car-into-pole accident in the area of 9768 Colby Road, Darien.

Darien Fire Department and law enforcement on scene.

The ambulance is requested for evaluation of a subject due to airbag deployment.

UPDATE 10:59 p.m.: The pole is still standing, but it's cracked. National Grid notified.

UPDATE 11:32 p.m.: All units back in service.

Laura DiPasquala, center of the photo, got her wish today -- she visited an Alpaca farm.

The DiPasquala's said they've driven past the Northwoods Alpaca Farm in Bergen many times, but today was the perfect day to stop. Owners Belinda and Bob Grant were hosting an open house.

Northwoods is part of a tour of Alpaca farm tour in Western New York (the open house continues on Sunday) aimed at promoting alpaca fiber (it's not called fur) for clothing and promoting alpaca farming to increase the number of growers in the nation.

Alpaca fiber is known for its soft texture, moisture resistance, warmth and comfort.

The Grants have operated Northwoods for about eight years.

Laura and Rich DiPasquala are from Greece.

Le Roy PD is chasing an individual, now on foot, though the chase initially involved a vehicle and was largely contained to streets in the village.

The subject is now on foot heading toward the Royal Apartments.

A deputy has spotted an individual in the woods off Gilbert.

We didn't hear how or why the chase started.

UPDATE 10:08 p.m.: A deputy has the subject in custody and his walking him toward Gilbert.

UPDATE 10:10 p.m.: A Le Roy officer involved in the vehicle chase has requested a tow truck to Le Roy Village Square.

UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: It sounds like the subject is in custody. Possible charges include unlicensed operation and unlawful possession of marijuana.

UPDATE 10:38 p.m.: The chase began with an attempted routine traffic stop on Route 19 at about 10 p.m. The green 1997 Chevy pickup truck made a left on Summit heading south at 39 mph. The vehicle is registered to a village resident. The driver was described as a white male. From Summit, the vehicle turned on Union, back toward Route 19. From Route 19 to Munson. The truck then went north on Gilbert, from Gilbert to Myrtle Street, then left on Craigie heading toward Route 5. On 5, the vehicle head westbound. An officer stated, "he's just playing games. He's back in Village Square" behind the American Legion Hall. It was shortly after going to Village Square that the suspect exited the vehicle and started running.

When Batavia scheduled Hornell for its homecoming game some people thought it was crazy, Head Coach Brennan Briggs admitted after last night's 30-14 loss to the Raiders.

Hornell came into the game with a 43-game winning streak and is arguably the best team in the state of New York in any class.

But at the half, with the score tied 14-14, and the Blue Devils' defense coming up big on some key plays, it didn't look so crazy.

The theme for the team all week in preparing for the game, Briggs said, was "great moments come from great opportunities."

The second half didn't go as well for Batavia, but Briggs came out of the game believing the Blue Devils, in his first season as head coach, are ready to play with anybody.

"These kids showed they can come out and play with the best and compete with them," Briggs said. "Yes, obviously, we got beat by 16. We’re not super excited about getting beat by 16, but we know we can play with them. We really do."

Justin Washington and Brett Scheuerlein had big games for the Blue Devils.

Washington snagged an interception in the first quarter and returned it 30 yards for a TD. He also nabbed a 20-yard reception from Scheuerlein in the second quarter for a touchdown (top photo).

Scheuerlein was 7 for 12 passing for 93 yards.

The Raiders played a tight, disciplined defense all night however and the Blue Devils were forced to punt four times in the second half.

In the third quarter, Brendan Buisch hit Richie Harkenrider on a 40-yard TD play. A Batavia defender got a hand on the ball as Buisch hauled it in, but when he couldn't strip it, there was nobody between Harkenrider and the end zone.

With the lead, the Raiders turned their offense over to Zach Bacon, their big, strong full back, who wasn't unstoppable (defenders a couple of times took him down for losses), but could also shake off tackles (or jump over) and get big gains.

In the fourth quarter, Bacon (#40 in photos)  scored on a 50-yard run, just plowing through blue jersies for the first 20 yards like a combine in a cornfield.

"The kid’s a stud," Briggs said. "You can’t really coach against that. You do what you can against him, but he’s one heck of a football player."

In preparing the Blue Devils for Hornell, Briggs reminded them that 31 years ago, Batavia (Correction: It was Notre Dame) snapped Cal-Mum's 49-game winning streak on Woodward Field.

"I told them, 'this field's made for breaking winning streaks,' " Briggs said.

While the final score was disappointing, Briggs said the game will give Batavia great confidence going into the final two games of the season and into, hopefully, sectionals.

"We know that if we continue with the same intensity, the same enthusiasm, the same execution, we can have a great ending to our season," Briggs said.

In other football action on Friday:

• Le Roy's winning streak was snapped by Perry, 44-36. Perry's QB Cory Dillon hit Jake Kiehle on a fourth-down, less than two minutes to play, 11-yard TD pass to put Perry in the lead. Dillon passed for 299 yards and 4 TDs. He was 25 of 40 passing. Perry, now 4-1, last beat Le Roy in 1991. Peter Privitera carried the ball 18 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Le Roy is now 4-1.
• Notre Dame is 4-1 after beating Pembroke 35-7. Andrew Mullen carried the ball 14 times for 180 yards and one TD. Jason Hart also scored on the ground and had 13 attempts for 14 yards. (Nick Taylor apparently did not play Friday). Tim McCulley was 4-7 passing for 105 yards and three touchdowns. Hart had one TD reception of 12 yards. Josh Johnson's only reception was for a 46-yard TD, and Jared Thornton's lone catch was for a 29-yard score. John Lapple notched Notre Dame's only sack. He had three tackles. Anthony Paladino had 5.5 tackles. Peter Thomas had 10.5 tackles for Pembroke.

This afternoon, Oakfield-Alabama is at Elba/Byron Bergen and Alexander hosts Holley. The other game of significance is Attica at Livonia. Both Elba/BB and Attica are undefeated. The Genesee Region rivals meet next week.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

In Week 3, Robert Tretter was among 13 people who correctly picked Arian Foster of Houston as the top rusher (amongh players eligible for picking) in the NFL.

Tretter wins a prize from T.F. Brown's.

To enter this week's contest (deadline is tomorrow at 1 p.m.), click here.