Le Roy

Students at Le Roy Schools are getting broad exposure to STEAM skills and trades (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), STEAM teacher Luke Weaver told the Board of Education on Tuesday during a meeting.

Rube Goldberg Machines, computer coding, food sciences, robotics and drones, and environmental sciences are all getting covered with one class or another, Weaver said.

Superintendent Merritt Holly emphasized what Weaver illustrated during his introduction of Weaver to the board.

"We offer STEAM Club," Holly said. "We offer things in the library. We offer things in the summer. The kids have a ton of opportunities, so there's no like, I'll try this and then I don't care about it again for another year. It's a really a continuing program, which I think is really powerful."

Currently, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders are working on Rube Goldberg Machines and they're excited by the projects, he said.

For those who might not be familiar with a Rube Goldberg Machine, Weaver explained that it is an "unbelievably complicated machine to do an unbelievably simple task. So you would build something with pulleys, levers, catapults, dominoes knocking each other over to do something you could easily do by yourself."

(For an entertaining example of a Rube Goldberg Machine, see the music video below.)

He said when he first introduced the concept to students, they looked at him like he was crazy.

"They went from that mindset to kids coming in in the morning, before homeroom, coming in and start working because they want that extra half hour to work on their project, which is just awesome."

There are 46 students currently enrolled in a coding class. They're starting with blocks of code that fit together to make a working program.

"I've got two kids who are already done," Weaver said. "That is fascinating to me, to see kids who've never done this before, pick this up and be so cohesive going through the process."

The block program will move the students into coding languages commonly used in the business world, such as Python and C++, Weaver said.

The programming experience also moves the students into working in robotics and with drones.

Already this year the school has held a Manufacturing Day, which included a field trip to visit Orcon, Bonduelle, and U.S. Gypsum.

"The kids had an opportunity to see different careers and how many different types of jobs that can happen in one place, which I think is mind-blowing," Weaver said. "I mean, you had electrical engineers, you had manufacturing people, you had artists, anything you could think of at all of these different plants."

The stop at Bonduelle in Oakfield was interesting because spinach was being delivered from a farm owned by one of the student's father.

"So we got to like watch that and see how they go through that whole freeze-drying process and things like that," Weaver said.

An area of expansion for the program that Weaver is working on is aquaponics, he said. 

"Aquaponics is basically a huge fish tank that is fully cyclical," Weaver said. "The plants provide the nutrients for the fish and the fish provide nutrients for the plants. You don't have to clean the fish tank. You can grow vegetables, or fruit and grow flowers. They actually have huge systems where people grow or raise tilapia and actually have harvestable fish. We're going to take baby steps and start with a goldfish that are at my house, bring those in. But we're just trying to pull in other kids that might not have that engineering mindset, they might not only want to be tech-savvy, but they might like some natural science stuff."

Weaver also went through some of the entry-level STEAM projects being introduced at Wolcott Street School.

 "It's fun," Weaver said. "I love this stuff. I love seeing their faces just confused and excited at the same time. That's exactly what you're looking for."

Photo: Luke Weaver. Photo by Howard Owens.

The musical will hit the stage in March.

Video via Le Roy Central School District. 

Isaiah Lorenzo Poole, 22, of South Clinton Street, Albion, is charged with 16 counts of possession of a forged instrument and criminal contempt 2nd. Poole allegedly possessed 16 counterfeit $100 bills at 4:45 p.m., Oct. 23, at the Crosby's in Elba. He also is accused of violating an order of protection. 

Breanna Michelle Cragg, 29, of Richmond Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Cragg was charged following a roadside check at 1:19 a.m., Oct. 23, on Route 33, Stafford, by Sgt. Mathew Clor and Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Johnnie M. Waston, 39, of Dodge Street, Rochester, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment 2nd. Waston is accused of being involved in a disturbance reported at 7:04 a.m., Oct. 21, at a residence on Shady Lane, Batavia. He was arraigned in Town of Stafford Court and released.

Kevin P. Kage, 35, of West Avenue, Medina, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance 5th and criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th. Kage is accused of selling methamphetamine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force in Batavia on two separate occasions. He was arrested on a warrant stemming from a sealed indictment and jailed pending arraignment in County Court. He was arraigned on Oct. 20 and released.

Connie Rae Todd, 51, of Slayton Sett Road, Gasport, is charged with DWI and speeding. Todd was stopped at 1:12 a.m., Oct. 26, on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Margareta Tamasi, 75, of Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child/alcohol. Tamasi was arrested by State Police on Oct.  24 in the Town of Batavia in relation to an incident reported at 7:04 p.m. on Oct. 21 in Le Roy. She was released on an appearance ticket. No further information released.

The Le Roy Oatkan Knights shut down Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry in football on Friday, 21-0.

Tony Piazza scored all three of Le Roy's touchdowns on runs of 36 yards, three yards, and six yards, leading to three successful point after attempts by Andrew Pocock.

Piazza finished with 102 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Drew Strollo gained 87 yards on 22 carries.  Strollo was 3-4 passing for 31 yards.

Piazza also led the way on defense with nine tackles and a sack.

Photos by Ed Henry.  Top photo: Le Roy’s Bryce Lathan drops another kickoff returner.

Tony Piazza posted three TDs to power the Le Roy offense.

LeRoy’s Jack Lathan (51) contests a Let-Saw-Perry pass.

Tony Piazza drops the L-S-P QB.

Le Roy speedster Maverick Cook.

Drew Strollo spots his receiver downfield.

Jackson Fix cuts back on this run.

Manny Fisher breaks free.

Keegan Park (72) and his teammates halt this run. 

A 17-year-old resident of Wolcott was charged with grand larceny 3rd and unauthorized use of a vehicle. At 12:38 a.m. Oct. 15, Le Roy police officers received a report of a stolen vehicle on Selden Road, Le Roy. Officers were able to track the location of the vehicle using its OnStar system. A short time later, the 2020 Chevy Silverado was located in the Town of Cheektowaga and was reportedly occupied by the 17-year-old.  He was arrested by Cheektowaga PD and turned over to Le Roy PD. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joseph T. Martino, 30, no permanent address, is charged with four counts of petit larceny. At 1:37 p.m. Oct. 8, Martino allegedly stole merchandise from a local business on East Main Street, Batavia. He is also accused of shoplifting three separate times from two businesses on Jackson Street, Batavia on Oct. 2. He was issued an appearance ticket on all arrests.

Aaron T. Hendershot, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Hendershot is accused of violating an order of protection by being at the home of the protected party at 1:39 p.m. Oct. 10 on Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Marcella F. Greene, 38, of Bliss, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Greene was arrested on a warrant issued in connection with an incident reported at 3 p.m. April 23 on East Main Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on bail and ordered to appear again on Oct. 27 appearance.

Tammy L. Cicatello, 52, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and following too close. Cicatello was allegedly involved in a property damage accident at 9:55 a.m. Sept. 1, on Oak Street. She was arrested on Oct. 6 by Batavia PD. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Christine M. Caplis, 42, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $5,000 bail, $7,500 bond, or $10,000 partially secured bond.  No information released on the nature of the warrant. 

(name redacted upon request), 32, of xxxx, xxxx, xxxx. xxxx is charged with DWI, obstruction of governmental administration, failure to dim lights, drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle on a highway, and unregistered vehicle. xxxxx was stopped at 10 p.m. Oct. 6, on Route 20 in Darien by Deputy Alexandar Hadsall. He was ordered to return to Darien Town Court at 1 p.m. Oct. 20.

Seth Alan Wilt, 18, of Richley Road, Corfu, is charged with grand larceny 4th and petit larceny. Wilt is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from his employer at 8363 Lewiston Road, Batavia (the former Kmart location) and of stealing $724.45 in merchandise from the same location. The thefts were reported at noon on Sept. 1. He was arrested on Oct. 12 by deputies Mason Schultz and Nicholas Charmoun. He was released on an appearance ticket. 

James Preedom, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, harassment 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. On Oct. 14, State Police responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence in the Town of Batavia and arrested Preedom as a result. He was released under supervision.

Justin Cowell, 40, of Batavia, is charged with four counts of criminal contempt 2nd, acting in a manner injurious to a child, unlawful dealing with a child, and selling tobacco to a minor. Cowell was arrested by State Police on Oct. 20 in connection with an incident reported at 2:08 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Town of Batavia. He was ordered held in jail. No further information was released.

Charles L. Dockstader, 76, of Basom, is charged with two counts of course of sexual conduct with a child less than 11 years old. Dockstader was arrested by State Police on Oct. 19 in connection with an incident reported at 12:02 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Town of Alabama.  He was ordered held on bail. No further information released.

Earl B. Benson, 34, of Byron, is charged with DWI. Benson was stopped at 10:17 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Town of Byron by State Police. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Keona R. Thomas, 33, of Stafford, is charged with DWI.  Thomas was stopped at 2:22 a.m. Oct. 16 in the Town of Stafford by State Police. Thomas was released on an appearance ticket.

Le Roy shut out Hornell on Friday night in Hornell, 33-0.

Adrian Stephens was 3-8 passing for 51 yards and a TD.

The TD was a 17-yard connection to Merritt Holly, Jr.

Jackson Fix was 1-4 passing for 21 yards, hitting Cal Koukides for a touchdown.

Emmanuel Fisher gained 90 yards on five carries and scored a TD.

Fix rushed 16 times for 54 yards and a TD.

Stephens, 47 yards on nine carries, also scoring a TD.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Top photo: Connor Hegeman displays perfect tackling technique. 

Ryan Higgins’ pressure led to an incomplete pass.

Le Roy center Holden Sullivan taking on multiple linemen. 

Le Roy’s Merritt Holly pulls in a TD pass for the Knights. 

Mav Cook (left) and Cal Koukides double-team on defense. 

Le Roy’s Bryce Lathan smothers the Hornell QB. 

Xavien Walker (left) congratulates Manny Fisher on his 84-yard TD run.

Many businesses have found it hard recently to staff their operations, and now one restaurant's inability to find a cook has forced it to close its doors.

Sweet Betty's owner Gabrielle (Gabby) Keister said her restaurant is closing because of kitchen staffing issues.

"We’ve been looking for a cook for over a year, part-time or full-time," Keister said. "We are done trying to beg people to work."

Restaurants across the nation have been struggling with staffing since the shutdown at the start of the pandemic. The National Restaurant Association estimates nearly a million workers have left the industry.

The Department of Labor has not yet released September's unemployment rate, but in August it was 3.0 percent in Genesee County with only 900 people considered unemployed.  

Genesee County's unemployment rate has remained below 4.0 percent since September 2021.

Sweet Betty's opened in 2020 at 15 Main St., Le Roy, during the pandemic.

In a social media post, Keister said, "Who would have thought we’d make it through, and so successfully? It was because of your (customers) continuous patronage that this was possible."

For those who have gift certificates, she said, customers can stop by on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. with gift cards for a refund or to buy hard ice cream -- 25 flavors to choose from.

She said Sweet Betty's will participate in the Winterfest on Dec. 3.

"We will have Santa and Mrs. Claus and the second annual “Maddie Master’s Pay it Forward” one-mile walk, as well as luminaries and a walk to the tree-lighting.

"Thank you for making the past two years a lot of fun," she told customers. "We will always remember all who supported us during our venture!"

Previously: From burgers to cheesecake, new Le Roy restaurant is a sweet addition

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens of Gabby Keister, her husband Scott Keister, and their son Scott (on left).

Press release:

Katy Stone Annual Memorial Blood Drive
LeRoy American Legion, 53 West Main St., LeRoy  
Thursday, October 20 from noon to 7 p.m.

Please remember Mrs. Stone by contributing at the annual Red Cross blood drive in her memory. A lifetime LeRoyan who was devoted to her community, Katy attended St. Peter’s School and then LeRoy Central Schools.  She then worked for many years as a deputy clerk/treasurer for the Village of LeRoy. She served on many advisory boards which included LeRoy Little League, LeRoy youth football, CYFL football, American Red Cross, Genesee County United Way, Triad, and Marshall Fund. 

She also served in various capacities with the Botts Forito American Legion Post 1956, Girls State, Genesee County American Legion Auxiliary, Genesee County Red Cross, LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home, Office of the Aging, LeRoy-Stafford Senior Citizens and volunteered many hours at the V.A. Hospital in Batavia. 

She was selected as LeRoyan of the Year in 1975, Genesee County Woman of the Year in 1984 and received the St. Jerome Health and Humanitarian Award in 1993.

Drew Strollo helped Le Roy to four scores on four early possession on Friday night to help the Oatkan Knights to a 53-14 win over Vertus Charter.

Strollo scored hit Jack Tonzi on a 34-yard TD pass, ran four two yards to score, hit Tonzi again on a 33-yard pass, and ran for a three-yard touchdown.

The score was 27-8 at the half. 

In the second half, Tony Piazza scored on runs of 24 yards and one yard. Jackson Fix scored on a run of 30 yards and Simeon Fisher ran the ball in from 13-yards out.

Strollo was 2-5 passing for 67 yards.  He ran for 141 yards on 17 attempts. Jackson fixed gained 86 yards on ten carries and Piazza rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries.

Bryce Lathan had six tackles. Ryan Higgins had a QB sack and three tackles.

Photos by Ed Henry.  Top photo: Xavien Walker, Tony Piazza, and Jackson Fix halt the Vertus running back.

Cal Koukides (24) celebrates (33) Jack Tonzi’s touchdown reception.

Bryce Lathan (42) is a terror on the LeRoy kickoff team.

LeRoy’s Andrew Pocock (40) boots another successful PAT kick.

LeRoy’s Keegan Park drops the Vertus RB in the backfield.

 LeRoy’s Manny Fisher disrupts the Vertus pass attempt.

LeRoy’s Ayden Riggi provides a block for teammate Cal Koukides (24).

LeRoy’s Drew Strollo avoids a would-be tackler.

Drew Strollo (34) celebrates (5) Jackson Fix’s TD run. 

Daniel Lee Goodell, 41, of South Volutia Street, Wichita, Kan., is charged with sex abuse 1st. Goodell was arrested by the Sherriff's Office on a warrant in Kansas and returned to New York. He is accused of sexually abusing children less than 11 years old in 2009 and 2010 in Alexander.  He was arraigned in Town of Alexander Court and ordered held without bail. Goodell was also arrested by State Police and charged with 12 counts of Sexual Abuse 1st, 12 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of sexual conduct with a child. The State Police alleged that between 2019 and 2021, Goodell abused children less than 14 years old on multiple occasions. Goodell moved from New York before the criminal investigation was opened, according to State Police. Goodell was extradited from Kansas on Sept. 30.  On the State Police charges, he was arraigned in Town of Alexander Court and ordered held on $30,000 bail or $60,000 bond.

Delonta R. Curry, 21, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds and criminal possession of a weapon. Curry is accused of possessing a weapon on school grounds on Feb. 13 at 8:26 p.m. on Washington Avenue. He was arrested on a warrant on Sept. 24, arraigned in City Court, and ordered held on bail.

Shawn R. Wisniewski, 33, of Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Wisniewski is accused of stealing from a business on Jackson Street on Sept. 20 at 10:36 a.m. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Chazmar T. Walters, 29, of Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant on Aug. 15. The nature of the warrant was not released. Walters was released and ordered to appear in City Court at a later date.

Daniel T. Henning, 42, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. Henning is accused of possessing stolen property while on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, on March 28 at 2:55 p.m. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance.

Jolene Y. Stevens, 33, no permanent address, is charged with failure to appear. Stevens was arrested on multiple warrants. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $500 bail, $1,000 bond, or $5,000 partially secured bond.

Phillip P. Heale, 44, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd. Heale is accused of being on property he was previously banned from being on. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Evan F. Maynard, 21, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd. Maynard is accused of being involved in a disturbance on Sept. 24 at 8:24 p.m. at a location on East Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Justin T. Calmes, 44, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Calmes is accused of violating an order of protection on Aug. 29 at midnight. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jennifer L. Cudney, 41, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. Cudney was stopped on Sept. 18 at 7:31 p.m. on Bank Street by a Batavia patrol officer. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Jason H. Freeman, 41, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Freeman is accused of stealing beer from a business on Jackson Street on Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jeffrey A. Hewitt, 43 of Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, failure to properly signal, driver's view obstructed, unlicensed driver, and aggravated unlicensed operation 1st. Hewitt was stopped by a Batavia patrol office on Sept. 25 at 10:37 a.m. on Summit Street. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Laura B. Beatty, 44, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child 1st. Beatty is accused of providing alcohol to a juvenile at her residence on Oak Street on Sept. 24 at 10:05 p.m. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian M. Raphael, 34, of Batavia, and Michelle L. Misiak, 57, of Batavia are charged with petit larceny. Raphael and Misiak are accused of stealing groceries on Sept. 27 from a store on East Main Street, Batavia. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Karrie A. Morrow, 39, of Batavia, was arrested on two bench warrants. The nature of the warrants was not released. She was released under supervision. Morrow was also arrested by State Police on a petit larceny charge. Morrow is accused of stealing merchandise valued at $17.98 from 48 Express Deli on Park Road on Sept. 29. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Renee Lynn Coughlin, 32, of Park Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with falsely reporting an incident 3rd.  Coughlin is accused of falling reporting an incident to police on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. on Park Avenue in Oakfield. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jamie Lee Broadbent, 39, of Federal Drive, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Broadbent is accused of entering an unsecured storage room and a vacant room at a hotel at 4371 Federal Drive, Batavia, and stealing items belonging to the hotel. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Hunter Joseph Stetz, 19, of Zimmerman Road, Hamburg, is charged with possession of a forged instrument. Stetz is accused of being in possession of a forged NYS driver's license on Aug. 25 at 8:15 p.m. while at Darien Lake. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Dale W. Gress, 54, of Elba, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Gress was stopped by State Police on Oct. 5 at 12:13 a.m. in the Town of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Federal prosecutors have an interest in a North Carolina man who was arrested March 19 in Le Roy after allegedly being found in possession of an AR-15 rifle in violation of the SAFE Act.

Michael Alan Jones, 24, of Raleigh, has been charged in U.S. District Court in Western New York with possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, and has reportedly reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

The FBI's interest in Jones may have more to do with his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 attempted insurrection in Washington, D.C.

The online news site RAW Story links Jones to two extremist groups, the Proud Boys and Patriot Front, and places Jones in the Capitol on Jan. 6.

At 4:36 p.m. March 19, deputies Kenneth Quackenbush and Nicholas Charmoun stopped a gray Nissan Sentra driven by Jones for an alleged traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputies observed several knives, military surplus gear, and two compound bows inside the vehicle, according to a Federal affidavit by an FBI agent. 

 The affidavit says a passenger in the car was identified only as PK.  The deputies reportedly observed a backpack on the passenger-side floorboard with bolt cutters protruding from the pocket.

Upon searching the vehicle, the deputies located pry bars, bolt cutters, and gloves, which, the affidavit states, the deputies believed to be consistent with burglary tools. They also found pepper spray and ammunition. 

When asked about the ammunition, according to the affidavit, both Jones and PK claimed ownership.  

Jones later said he owned everything in the vehicle except the backpack, and that the ammunition was "someone else's."

The agent wrote, "GSCO deputies asked JONES if there was a firearm inside the vehicle. JONES responded, 'There shouldn't be.'"

Deputies determined that the plate on the vehicle didn't match the vehicle, and the plate was removed from the vehicle and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

A subsequent inventory search uncovered, according to the report, military surplus gear, Beofang handheld radios, additional knives, and the "Army Tactical Combat Casualty Care Handbook."

Deputies also located in the trunk a Palmetto State Armory AR-15 rifle, bearing serial number 5CD729076, and a 30-round Magpul PMAG magazine was found in the trunk of the vehicle.

The agent says that Jones told deputies that he purchased the firearm a "long time ago," but never fired it. He allegedly said he brought the rifle from North Carolina to New York.

The agent said that on April 19, the FBI interviewed a person in North Carolina who had worked with Jones at a Cracker Barrel in Mebane, N.C., and that this former co-worker, HN in the report, said initially that he didn't recognize the rifle but that he had purchased it for Jones. He said he purchased it through the Palmetto State Armory website and used PayPal to complete the purchase.

The rifle violated the state's SAFE Act because the rifle was equipped with a flash hider, capable of accepting a removable magazine without a pinned magazine release, and was equipped with a telescopic stock. 

Jones' prior felony conviction in North Carolina, referred to in the Federal charging documents as "a crime against nature," involves Jones, at 18 and 19, having sex with minors, aged 14 and 15. He was arrested on charges.

According to sources, Jones has no known ties to Genesee County. It's unknown why Jones and PK, who is from the Finger Lakes region, were in Genesee County when deputies spotted the Sentra reportedly making an illegal turn in the area of Route 33 in Le Roy.

Locally, Jones was initially charged with criminal possession of an assault weapon 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd (ammunition feeding device), unsafe turn, number plate violation, and driving an unregistered vehicle on a highway. 

Jones, according to the arrest report, served in the U.S. Army.  The report states he wasn't employed at the time of his arrest and his highest education level was high school.

District Attorney Kevin Finnell said the local case was dropped after Jones was charged Federally because of a defendant's Constitutional protection against double jeopardy. 

Sheriff William Sheron praised the effort of Quackenbush and Charmoun in apprehending Jones.  

"This was another example of good police work," Sheron said. "Looking beyond the traffic ticket."

A coral-hued sunset gets draped in clouds during a youth football game Saturday at Hartwood Park in Le Roy. Photo submitted by Jeff Freeman. 

The Oatkan Knights got back on the winning side of the ball on Friday night against Bishop Timon-St. Jude, coming up with a 21-7 win.

Le Roy converted three turnovers into scores and held strong on defense in the third quarter when Bishop threatened from inside their 10.

Scoring:

• First quarter, Le Roy at 3:07, Tony Piazza 3-yard run (Andrew Pocock kick)
• Fourth quarter, Le Roy at 5:34, Adrian Stephens2-yard pass to Merritt Holly, Jr. (Pocock kick)
• Fourth quarter, Le Roy at 2:37, Tony Piazza 5-yard run (Pocock kick)
• Fourth quarter, Bishop at 2:10, James McNeil Jr. 60-yard run (Andrew Fino kick)

Pizza rushed for 114 yards on 15 caries.

On defense, Jack Tonzi had six tackles.

Photos by Ed Henry. Top photo: Le Roy RB Tony Piazza bulls through the Timon defense.

Le Roy RB Drew Strollo sweeps around the end.

Cal Koukides (24) and Jack Tonzi (33) bring down the Timon RB.

Huge LeRoy team push versus Bishop Timon.

Cal Koukides (24) and Jackson Fix swarm the Timon receiver.

Cal Koukides (24) broke up several passes in the contest.

Ayden Riggi (67) rejoices with Connor Hegeman (21) after Connor's INT.

A fire is reported at 3 Platt St., Le Roy.

All occupants are being shown out of the structure.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: It's a stove fire.

UPDATE 11:49 p.m.: City Fire requested mutual aid.

UPDATE 11:53 p.m.: Le Roy Fire on scene.  Fan needed on second floor for ventilation.  

UPDATE 11:56 p.m.: City's First Platoon recalled to headquarters while City Fire responds to stove fire in Le Roy.

Ronald M. Washburn, 62, of Stafford, is charged with Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child Less than 13, 2nd. Washburn is accused of having sexual conduct with a child on two or more occasions while babysitting the child in the City of Batavia between July 2008 and July 2012. The case was investigated by Det. Jason Ivison. Washburn was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Samantha M. Kent, 29 of Le Roy, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, following too closely, failure to stop for a school bus, and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Kent was reportedly the driver involved in a school bus accident on Sept. 13 at 6:59 a.m. on Ellicott Street, Batavia. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Kevin D. Wolff, 51, of Sweetland Road, Stafford, and Cherie L. Bender, 52, of Sweetland Road, Stafford, are both charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Deputies responded to a call of a disturbance on Aug. 25 and as a result of an investigation Wolff and Bender were arrested on Sept. 22.  Both were released on appearance tickets.

Jessica B. Eschenlauer, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, assault 3rd, and unlawful imprisonment 2nd. Eschenlauer is accused of violating an order of protection and punching another person during a disturbance reported on  Sept. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at a location on Eleanor Place, Batavia. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered to return at a later date.

George J. Horner, 33, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Horner is accused of entering a residence on Bank Street on Sept. 21 at 7:10 a.m. in violation of an order of protection. Horner was arraigned in City Court and ordered jailed on $2,500 bail, $5,000 bond, or $10,000 partially secured bond.

Matthew R. Taylor, 39, no permanent address, is charged with burglary 3rd and petit larceny. Taylor is accused of stealing property from a business on Oak Street, Batavia, on Sept. 11 at 11:11 p.m. Taylor was arraigned in City Court and ordered held pending his next court appearance. 

Albert G. Platton, 76, of Batavia, is charged with forcible touching. Platton is accused of touching a staff member of a facility on Richmond Avenue, Batavia, in a sexual manner.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Nancy E. Chatt, 77, of Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Chatt was allegedly driving a vehicle that struck a utility pole on Jackson Street on Sept. 18 at 8:52 p.m. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Brittanee J. Hooten, 33, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hooten is accused of shoplifting from a business in the City of Batavia on Sept. 17 at 11:30 a.m. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Rachel S. Wright, 18, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd and criminal trespass 2nd. Wright is accused of trying to fight with another person on Sept. 18 at 4:54 p.m. at a location on North Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Christine M. Caplis, 42, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant on Sept. 18 at 12:30 p.m. She was released with an order to appear in City Court on Sept. 22.

Shyanna M. Williams, 19, of Hamburg is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Williams was arrested on a warrant based on a complaint filed on May 6. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance. 

Amanda L. Huber, 40, of Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. Huber was arrested on a warrant following a police investigation into an incident on West Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket ordering her to appear on Sept. 15.

Jamie S. Schlonski, 50, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Schlonski was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 5 p.m. Sept. 22, in the Town of Batavia. Schlonksi was released on an appearance ticket. No further information was released.

A two-car motor vehicle accident is reported in the area of 7581 Oatka Trail, Le Roy.

One vehicle is smoking, and the other one is rolled over.

Le Roy Fire, Le Roy Ambulance, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:14 p.m.: Fire police requested to shutdown traffic in the area.

The Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies scored 38 unanswered points through four quarters on their way to a 38-6 over Le Roy at home on Friday night.

Connor Scott opened the scoring with a 57-yard run at the start of the game to ignite the Aggie's offense.  Brodie Scott completed a pass to Noah Currier for the next score, then hit Connor Scott in the second quarter and scored himself twice in the third.  OAE's final score came early in the fourth quarter when Hyde connected with Kyle Porter on a 51-yard TD reception.

OAE compiled 475 yards in total offense to 188 for the Oatkan Knights.

Hyde completed six of 12 pass attempts for 156 yards and three TDs.  He was intercepted once.

Currier gained 134 yards on 19 runs, Hyde 93 on 16 attempts.

Kyle Porter had two receptions for 70 yards.

On defense, Nate Finta had five tackles.

For the Knights, Adrian Stephens was 5-13 passing for 41 yards. Jackson Fix rushed eight times for 70 yards and a TD. On defense, Tony Piazza had 9.5 tackles.

"A win like this against an opponent like LeRoy is huge for our team," said Aggies Head Coach Tyler Winter. "While the first half still was not the cleanest on our end, the way our guys came out of halftime and kept the pedal down on a good opponent speaks to what we are capable of, both physically and mentally.  They are really taking to our 'process over product' approach, and doing a phenomenal job of taking each opponent as they come.  For them, the next challenge is the biggest one."

Top photo: Le Roy’s Xavien Walker (44) holds on to Connor Scott (22).

Photos by Ed Henry

OAE’s Connor Scott (22) scores a TD early in the game.

OAE’s Noah Currier (20) snags a TD catch.

Le Roy’s Jack Tonzi grabs a reception in the flats.

Le Roy’s Drew Strollo (34) turns the corner.

OAE’s Aiden Warner holds on after an Antonio Martinez collision.

OA-E’s QB Bodie Hyde

OAE’s Angelo Penna (55) and Connor Scott (22) celebrate up top. 

Additional photos below by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

Le Roy High School has long taken pride in its marching band and color guard but putting on a great performance takes dedication and hard work.

Video courtesy Le Roy Central School District.

Video courtesy the Le Roy Central School District

Previously: Le Roy's numeracy coach finds creative ways to get students thinking about numbers

History, art, culture, and community all come together with the installation of four new black metal benches in the Village of Le Roy.

The project is the inspiration of Sarah Farmer, a co-owner of Farmer's Creekside Inn, and a businesswoman who splits time between Rochester and Le Roy.

"This all started in downtown Rochester where we were trying to get away from all the chaos of the riots and all the bad things going on, all the hate. And trying to do some soul-searching with some association members and businesses, and we ended up coming up with this project, called the Black Bench Initiative," Farmer said prior to a ribbon-cutting outside the Creekside Inn on Friday. "Basically, it is something creating a memory of historical significance of different landmarks and important things to each community that they're in."

For Le Roy, the touchstones are fishing in the Oatka Creek, the Barn Quilt Trail, the Jell-O Museum, and a Ginkgo tree. 

Rochester-area artist Stacey Mrva worked with Farmer on the themes and designed and built the benches.

Mrva started welding sculptures in steel while an art student at Syracuse University, and she has seen several of her sculptures become public art in the region.

"I'm an artist but also a craftsperson," Mrva said. "I make things and I like to work with my hands, but most of all, I like to create pieces that can be part of our everyday lives, making art accessible."

The project was made possible with the cooperation of the Village of Le Roy and a $15,000 grant from NYS Homes & Community Renewal through the Main Street Program.

"One of the things that we hope to do in the future is get some more suggestions to do six additional benches along Main Street," Farmer said. "It just creates a sense of gathering, an ability to come down Main Street."

Sarah Farmer and her father-in-law Bill Farmer have more plans to help revitalize downtown Le Roy.

They are going to turn the former bank building across the street into a multi-use event space -- a ballroom, a concert hall, a conference space that will accommodate up to 175 people.

"It will have a bar, a small dining room and a full kitchen," Sarah said. "You can outsource it for private events and weddings and we're gonna donate space to the community for youth banquets and proms and stuff like that."

The top floors will be converted to apartments, she said.

The Farmers also purchased the building next door that used to be a coffee house.  They hope to turn that into a bakery.

"We have to offer a breakfast at Creekside for hotel guests," Farmer said. "Ideally, it'd be really nice to be able to have a place where they can get breakfast earlier than nine."

Her inspiration for restoration and community involvement is her Bill Farmer, she said, who invested more than a million dollars and several years of work to restore the Creekside after a devastating fire gutted it and left it vacant for more than a decade. It's literally become a cornerstone of the Village of Le Roy since reopening in 2017.

"Main Street has been near and dear to my family," Farmer said. "My fearless leader, my mentor, Bill Farmer, he started this very much in the mentality of restoring historic Main Street and of revitalizing the community. I very much have taken that and been very much inspired by that. And I'm so excited to see what we can do in the future. And I'm just so grateful for being able to get this project (the bench project) here."

Top photo: Sarah Farmer, Stacey Mrva, and Shelley Stein, Le Roy's representative on the Genesee County Legislature.

Photos by Howard Owens