Le Roy

Le Roy Fire is responding to an accident on the Thruway in the westbound lane near mile marker 384.

Unknown injuries.

There is heavy front-end damage with airbag deployment. The caller didn't stop.

Since Sept. 1, mixed martial arts competitions have been legal in New York, and Batavia will be at the forefront next month of hosting tournaments.

Rich Mitchell, of Le Roy, and originally from Stafford (far right in photo) is a former professional MMA fighter and for the past five years has judged fights. Now he's moving into the promotional side of the business, sponsoring his first tournament Dec. 17 at the Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

"I’ve been involved with this sport and it was just time (to become a promoter)," Mitchell said. "It’s a natural progression."

There was a promoter in Buffalo, but he's become a deputy commissioner for the sport in New York, so that opened up the WNY market to competition.

Mitchell is planning on promoting six events a year, three in Batavia and three in Buffalo.

At first, the events will be all amateur bouts because professional fights, especially for insurance, are a lot more expensive to stage, but moving up into the promotion of professional fights is definitely part of the plan, Mitchell said.

"It's a little way off," Mitchell said, "maybe a year or two."

The event Dec. 17 starts at 6 p.m. and will feature Morgan Cavanach and Tom Shelby. Tickets are $30 pre-sale, $35 at the door, and VIP cage-seats are $50.

For more information, visit groundforcefights.com.

Top photo: Eddie Ortiz and Pete Flanagan, both on the left, are two of the local fighters who will participate Dec. 17. Joe Loftus, second from right, was originally on the card but will have to sit out because of an injury; and Mitchell.

Bottom photo: Wrestling students and MMA participants at Main Street Fitness, Le Roy.

Rollover accident reported at 9536 Warsaw Road, Le Roy.

Unknown injuries.

That's at the corner of Warsaw Road and Cole Road.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

Robert C. Kingsbury, 39, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. Kingsbury is accused of selling a quantity of oxycodone to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force. He was arrested Thursday by members of the task force with assistance from Le Roy PD. He was arraigned and ordered held without bail.

Jonathan E. Seiger, 55, and Scott H. Spencer, 52, both of West Main Road, Stafford, are charged with one count each of grand larceny, 4th, and identity theft, 2nd. Seiger and Spencer are accused of unlawfully possessing and using a debit card of a friend. The men were also charged with 11 counts of criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, and conspiracy, 5th. Between Aug. 5 and 15, the duo allegedly used the debit card at an ATM machine, along with the friend's PIN identification, to withdraw $1,660. They were jailed on $2,500 each.     

Cassandra Marie Neal, 32, of Lapp Road, Fillmore, is charged with first-degree perjury and filing a false instrument, 1st. Neal was called upon to testify before a grand jury about an alleged domestic incident in Genesee County Park in 2015. Neal allegedly lied about the incident during her testimony. She also allegedly filed a false instrument with the Sheriff's Office. She was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Gregory Joseph Rodak, 32, of Winterroth Street, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and driving left of pavement markings. Rodak was reportedly involved in a two-car accident at 8:11 p.m. Thursday on Townline Road, Bergen. Deputy Kevin Forsyth reports he detected the odor of alcohol and that Rodak admitted to drinking earlier. Rodak submitted to a field sobriety test. He has a prior conviction for DWI within the past 10 years, leading to the felony charges.

A car has reportedly hit a pole in the area of 7136 Quinlan Road, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:01 p.m.: Pole is down on north side of the road with wires across the road.

Exterior work on the refurbished Creekside Inn in Le Roy is very near completion.

The work has been extensive, including new decks on two levels, two new patios, a new bar on the first level, new drainage on Main Street and a restored entryway along with tiered landscaping at the back of the building.

Owner Bill Farmer said yesterday that work begins immediately on the interior remodeling, and that will take about three months.

Le Roy High School opened its new maker space for students yesterday afternoon with some introductory information from Jennifer Bertrand, instructional technology coach, and some hands-on time with some of the materials already in the space, including Legos and Bloxel, a kit for making computer games.

Bertrand said she proposed the idea of maker spaces at the high school and elementary school in Le Roy because she saw other schools doing it and attended conferences where ideas for starting such spaces were presented.

"So I thought Le Roy really needs to get on board about having its own maker space," she said.

A committee was formed to help move the idea forward and the district received a $2,000 grant to help get the maker space up and running.

Students volunteer to participate in the extracurricular activity. They are given space, time, resources and instruction on creating a variety of projects that hit on science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), creativity, and problem-solving.

"If you have a student who is struggling academically or just doesn't like school, but, oh, man, they're so creative when it comes to engineering or when it comes to creating something, we want to tap into that and build on that because those skills are going to transfer everywhere in their life," Bertrand said.

The community can support the project through donations, especially of supplies, such as Legos and arts and crafts supplies, as well as expertise and tours. Bertrand said community members can contact the school if they're able to assist.

Micheal S. Lytle, 27, and Sarah P. Lytle, 33, both of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, are charged with charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 4th. The couple is accused of using a stolen debit card to make several purchases totaling $790 on Oct. 11 and then making another $74 in purchases on Oct. 12.

Jordan Deskins, 19, of County House Road, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Deskins is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Ajia Rae Hasenauer, 23, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and falsifying business records, 1st. Hasenauer is accused of taking cash from a friend to register that friend at a hotel, then not registering that friend's name and placing the cash in the till.

Alexander Edwin Dills, 26, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, no front plate and uninspected motor vehicle. Dills was stopped at 11:41 a.m. Wednesday on Route 77, Corfu, by Deputy Chris Parker. During the traffic stop, Dills was allegedly found to possess two smoking pipes with marijuana, a marijuana grinder, a marijuana cigar and paper containing approximately four ounces of marijuana.

Kari W. Adams II, 32, of Covington Road, Leicester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Adams was stopped at 5:12 a.m. Wednesday on Route 63, Pavilion, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Leonard E. Aguayo, 29, of Affinity Lane, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and speeding. Aguayo was stopped at 3 p.m. Tuesday on Route 33, Byron, by Deputy Kevin Forsyth. Upon investigation, Aguayo was allegedly found to have 12 failures to appear on traffic citations from seven different dates. Based on the alleged detection of the odor of marijuana, Aguayo consented to a search of his vehicle and was allegedly found in possession of marijuana. Aguayo was jailed on $500 bail.

Craig L. Fien Jr., 44, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest. Fien is accused of stealing a microwave oven and vacuum cleaner from Target. When confronted by Target security, Fien allegedly push passed security personnel and attempted to flee the premises. Fien was apprehended by an off-duty police officer who detained him until troopers arrived. He was jailed on $300 bail.

Le Roy beat Bath-Haverling on Saturday to become Section V champions in Class C1 in volleyball.

The team next plays Cal-Mum in a Far-West Regional playoff. Game time is time is 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, in Avon.

Photos by Tim McArdle.

Le Roy's junior high students participated in the school district's second annual Class Up the Community day on Tuesday.

"I cannot thank our students and staff enough for the hard work and positive attitude they showed all day in our community," said Principal Tim McArdle. "The day represents an amazing learning opportunity about service and helping others, which is the backbone of our country. Now more than every we have to take any opportunity possible to pass on these values to our students!"

Students and staff worked at the following locations: Le Roy Historical Society, Machpelah Cemetery, St. Francis Cemetery, Le Roy Ambulance Base, Methodist Church, Police Station and nine private residences. After the work was done, students enjoyed their lunch outdoors at school and had time for outdoor games and to play on the Le Roy Town Rec huge inflatable. 

To end the event, students watched a video of the pictures that were taken throughout the day! 

McArdle thanked Lynda Lowe, who was the event director, and the junior high staff, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and buildings and grounds staff, "for all of their hard work and efforts to make this day a reality."

Community members donated rakes or loaned rakes for the projects.

"This is a wonderful learning experience for our students, a huge thank you to the community as well as our students and staff for making today a big success," Lowe said.

There were 197 students in the seventh and eighth grades participating, along with 24 staff members as well as bus drivers and building and grounds crew members.

Photos and information courtesy Tim McArdle.

Photos submitted by Rob Radley.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, western Vermont, and north central Massachusetts announced today that the company will offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11-percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day.

On Friday, Nov. 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11-percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location.  Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11-percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

In Genesee County, there are two Tops locations: 390 W. Main St. in Batavia and 128 W. Main St., Le Roy.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chairman and chief executive officer. “We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. The company’s actions include support of the American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall, Honor Flight Missions, sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas, VA hospital visits, and participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expos.

A convicted sexual predator has been arrested and accused of sexual contact with a child.

Marlek E. Holmes, 42, of Batavia, is being held without bail after being arraigned in County Court on an 11-count grand jury indictment.

The assaults allegedly occurred in the City of Batavia and Village of Le Roy from 2010 to 2015.

He is charged with two counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, two counts of incest in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, rape in the third degree, criminal sexual abuse in the third degree and two counts of incest in the third degree.

Holmes has previously been arrested locally on charges of failure to register a change of address as a Level 3 sexual offender and of sending indecent texts to a child.

Cynthia May Mack, 49, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment and false personation. Following the investigation into a domestic incident at 10:07 a.m. on Oct. 21 on East Main Road, Le Roy, Mack was arrested after allegedly punching an individual in the face while in presence of law enforcment, and she allegedly provided them with a false name. She was put in jail and is due in Le Roy Town Court on Oct. 27. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Danielle Marie Stewart, 18, of East Main Road, Stafford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Following the investigation at 12:23 a.m. on Oct. 25 into a suspicious condition in a parking lot on Main Road in the Town of Stafford, Stewart was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Stafford Court on Nov. 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Meyer.

Press release:

The fourth annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held at the Le Roy High School Gym Saturday, Nov. 5th, with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, Self Defense, and MMA Grappling.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy, Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 35 years.

John Ferrar from Bedroc MMA in Rochester will be sponsoring the MMA Grappling portion of the tournament.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each. To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “November 2016 TMAA Tournament- Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

There will also be a breaking demonstration at noon. They break everything from boards, bricks, coconuts, and Louisville Sluggers with their shins.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information, minimum -- 15 years old, no experience needed.

Tournament sponsors are:

•     Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy 
•     Chapin Manufacturers / Batavia
•     Ben’s Appliances / Batavia
•     Joe Spadaro / S&S Limo / Le Roy 
•     Sport of Kings Restaurant / Batavia
•     Cameron Construction / Le Roy
•     Scofield Rolloff Services / Stafford
•     Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center / Le Roy
•     Borrell’s Karate Academy / Batavia
•     Livonia Tatsu Do Karate / Livonia

The Local Drug Task Force executed the warrant on Torrey's home and on Torrey himself and his vehicle in the Town of Le Roy. 

Agents allegedly found a grow operation inside his residence, a quantity of marijuana and cocaine, a set of metal knuckles, a gravity knife and U.S. currency.

Other charges include criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of marijuana, 4th, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

He was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond. 

Shawn T. Rushok is indicted for the crime of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged that between Dec. 15 and April 24 in the Town of Le Roy, that Rushok subjected another person to sexual contact when that person was under age 11. In count two, the defendant is accused of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that between those dates Rushok knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than 17 years old. In count three, the defendant is accused of the crime of first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly subjecting another person to sexual conduct by forcible compulsion on April 24. In count four, Rushok is accused of endangering the welfare of a child on April 24 for allegedly knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than 17. The crimes in counts two, three and four also allegedly also took place in the Town of Le Roy.

A driver reportedly swerved and try and avoid a deer on the Thruway near mile marker 378, according to State Police, but struck the deer, causing the car carrying five people to careen across the media into the eastbound lane of traffic where it was struck by a tractor-trailer.

Three people were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight and two were transported by ground ambulance. 

"All of the injuries were non-life-threatening, as far as we know," said a spokesman for Troop T Zone 4. 

He said the names were not being released. He doesn't know if family notifications have taken place or where the victims lived.

Two of the victims were ejected from the vehicle. 

Responding to the scene were Le Roy Fire, Le Roy Ambulance, three Mercy EMS ambulances and three Mercy Flight helicopters.

Concurrent with the Thruway accident was one on the I-490 in Bergen. We've requested information on that accident from Troop E.

Bergen Fire and Churchville Fire responded to that accident. There was a reported vehicle fire. Bergen's ambulance and Byron's ambulance responded, as well, along with Chili's ambulance.

Photo: of Thruway accident, submitted by a reader.

There is reportedly a two-car accident in the area of mile marker 377.9 of the Thruway in Le Roy.

Injuries are reported and one person may have been ejected from a vehicle.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby. 

Le Roy fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:38 p.m.: Dispatchers received an update from a tollbooth indicating possibly four injuries, possibly two ejections.

UPDATE 11:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight #9 out of Buffalo dispatched, with a 22-minute ETA. Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia dispatched. A second ambulance from Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: Churchville fire requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:52  p.m.: One of the cars is on fire.

UPDATE 11:57 p.m.: A medic  tells dispatch, "we've got one critical, one who could be BLS (basic life support)." Another medic informs Mercy Flight that a patient is ready to go.

UPDATE 12:03 a.m.: Another Mercy EMS unit is in route to the scene.

UPDATE 12:13 a.m.: One of the seriously injured is a teenager. The car fire is out.

UPDATE 12:14 a.m.: Bergen ambulance is transporting one to Strong.

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: All victims extricated.

UPDATE 12:17 a.m.: There may be two separate calls here, with Le Roy working the Thruway accident and Bergen on a fire call on Route 490. A second patient being transported to Strong. An update coming on a third patient.

UPDATE 12:21 a.m.: Mercy Flight #9 is on the ground.  

UPDATE 12:25 a.m.: A Mercy Flight helicopter is headed to Strong. Another patient also being transported to Strong.

UPDATE 12:39 a.m.: A third helicopter did land at the scene, Mercy Flight #10. It is now in route to Strong.

UPDATE 12:50 a.m.: Units are starting to go back in service.

UPDATE 1:31 a.m.: Photo from our news partner, 13WHAM. Also, Bergen assignment from the 490 back in service.

Reader submitted photo.

Reader submitted photo.

Press release:

New York Sea Grant is reminding Great Lakes residents that Saturday, Oct. 22, is a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for dropping off unused medicines at collection sites statewide. The goal is to keep the pharmaceuticals out of the freshwater Great Lakes system that provides drinking water to 42 million people in the United States and Canada.

"The simple act of dropping off your unused prescription drugs at a nearby collection point helps reduce the impact of such substances as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives, antidepressants, cosmetics, and vitamins on the aquatic environment and on human health," says New York Sea Grant Coastal Education Specialist Helen Domske.

More than 350 tons of prescription drugs were dropped off at more than 8,000 sites across the United States on the Fall 2015 collection day.

For the complete list of authorized collection sites for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, visit the U.S. DEA National Take Back Day Initiative website here.

Collection hours at all sites are 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

In Genesee County, you can drop off unwanted drugs, no questions asked, at these locations:

• Batavia Police Department, 10 W. Main St., Batavia
• Genesee County Sheriff's Office is conducting a drop-off at the Pembroke Town Highway Barn at routes 5 and 77, East Pembroke
• Village of Le Roy Police Department, 3 W. Main St., Le Roy

MORE INFORMATION:
Domske is a 2016 Western New York Distinguished Scientist and author of the Undo the Environmental Chemical Brew: Keep Unwanted Medications and Chemicals Out of the Great Lakes guide with tips on how citizens can keep unwanted pharmaceuticals and personal care products out of Great Lakes waters. Find more information online at www.nyseagrant.org/unwantedmeds.

Research by New York Sea Grant and other science organizations has tracked the feminization of fish populations downstream from wastewater treatment plants to estrogen and its components found in prescription drugs.

A New York Sea Grant-funded, two-year research project that began in February 2016 is examining the effectiveness of advanced water treatment options, environmental levels and potential effects of pharmaceuticals in New York waters. Stony Brook University research Anne McElroy noted earlier this year, "The number of pharmaceutically-active ingredients (API) and their known or suspected active metabolites in coastal waters is in the hundreds and continues to increase. Data collected from our project will help to fill important data gaps and enhance knowledge about sewage-derived APIs and their effects on fish behavior and how well advanced wastewater treatment technologies reduce API discharges and mitigate these effects."

The biannual National Prescription Drug Take Back Days are an initiative of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in cooperation with law enforcement agencies nationwide.

New York Sea Grant, a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, is one of 33 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Through its statewide network of integrated services, NYSG has been promoting coastal vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources since 1971. For updates on New York Sea Grant activities, www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube links.