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More than 30 local students make the dean's list for Fall 2013 at RIT

By Billie Owens

The following local residents made the dean's list for Fall 2013 semester at Rochester Institute of Technology:

Michael Anauo, Elba, is a fourth-year student in the molecular bioscience and biotechnology program in RIT's College of Science.
Joshua Barnard, of Bergen, is a fourth-year student in the industrial design program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Hannah Belliveau, of Oakfield, is a third-year student in the biology program in RIT's College of Science.
Benjamin Bliss, of Pavilion, is a second-year student in the illustration program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Dustin Bordonaro, of Batavia, is a fifth-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Kari Branton, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the hospitality and service management program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Maura Chmielowiec, of Batavia, is a fifth-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Jennifer Crossen, of Basom, is a second-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Erin Crossen, of Basom, is a fourth-year student in the computational mathematics program in RIT's College of Science.
Sophia Del Plato, of Batavia, is a fourth-year student in the graphic design program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Anna Dorman, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the industrial engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Benjamin Ezard, of Byron, is a second-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Nicholas Flumerfeldt, of Corfu, is a fifth-year student in the mechanical engineering technology program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Rachel Henrici, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Erica Hickey, of Byron, is a first-year student in the journalism program in RIT's College of Liberal Arts.
Ryan Hochreiter, of Le Roy, is a third-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Joshua Horning, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the computer science program in RIT's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.
Rachel Kobel, of Bergen, is a first-year student in the environmental sustainability, health and safety program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Peter Madau, of Le Roy, is a second-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Samantha Mitchell, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the electrical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Evyn Morgan, of Pavilion, is a fourth-year student in the professional photographic illustration program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Robert Osborn, of Darien Center, is a fourth-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Karl Pajak, of Corfu, is a fourth-year student in the film and animation program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Clayton Pitcher, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the information technology program in RIT's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.
Alycia Sabatino, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program in RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology.
Brittani Scharlau, of Alexander, is a fourth-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program in RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology.
Michael Slack, of Bergen, is a fourth-year student in the film and animation program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Christopher Snyder, of Darien Center, is a third-year student in the bioinformatics program in RIT's College of Science.
Joanna Stacy, of Bergen, is a third-year student in the graphic design program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Kristen Stacy, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the professional photographic illustration program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Eric Stella, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the packaging science program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Travis Swede, of Pavilion, is a fourth-year student in the packaging science program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Traci Turner, of Bergen, is a second-year student in the journalism program in RIT's College of Liberal Arts.
Ryan Warner, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the physics program in RIT's College of Science.

Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for dean's list if their quarterly GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. In addition, the university offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. RIT enrolls 18,000 full- and part-time students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.
 

Law and Order: Sex offender accused of not reporting address change

By Howard B. Owens
Shawn Powers

Shawn Powers, 48, of Wyoming County, is charged with failing to register a change of address. Powers, a registered Level 2 sex offender, was arrested by Le Roy PD for alleged failure to register a change of address as required by state law for registered sex offenders. He was previously a resident of the Village of Le Roy. Powers has a prior conviction for the same offense, making the new charge a Class D felony. He was jailed on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

Richard Thomas Elliott, 82, of West Park Street, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and operating with driver's view obstructed. Elliott was stopped at 1:54 a.m., Wednesday, on Cato Street, Pavilion, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Andrew J. Paladino, 34, of Shelter Street, Rochester, was arrested on Family Court warrant for alleged support violation. Paladino turned himself in on the warrant. He paid $200 toward his support obligation and was released pending his next court appearance.

Law and Order: Warrant suspect arrested and returned to Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Amir Alivy Barulich, 34, of Pearl Street, Tampa, Fla., is accused of failure to pay fine imposed by the court. Barulich allegedly did not appear as ordered in Genesee County Court on April 28, 2011. He was arrested on a warrant by New Rochelle PD and turned over to the Sheriff's Office.

Joseph T. Burr, 20, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Burr was stopped at 3:41 a.m., Sunday, on Washington Avenue, Batavia, by Sgt. Thad Mart, following a report of a suspicious condition in the parking lot of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Timothy G. Taggart, 23, of Brigham Road, Fredonia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Taggart was arrested following an investigation into an suspicious vehicle parked at Bank of America on Main Street, Batavia, at 2:27 a.m. Friday by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Kyle D. Clark, 23, of Hyde Park, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Clark was arrested on a bench warrant on a harassment, 2nd, charge stemming from an incident in which he allegedly held a woman down and slapped her several times.

Bishop Edward Williams, 20, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Williams is accused of shoplifting from Walmart on Friday. He was located Saturday by Le Roy PD at a location on Bacon Street.

Juan Michael Chavez, 27, of Gaslite Lane, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, speeding and driving wihtout a proper license. Chavez was stopped at 9:19 p.m. Friday on Clinton Street Road by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Edward Dexter McDonald III, 24, of South Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, speed not reasonable or prudent, moving from lane unsafely and refusal to submit to breath test. McDonald was arrested by Sgt. Michael Hare after his vehicle was allegedly found buried in the snow along East Main Street, Le Roy. McDonald allegedly failed to negotiate a turn onto South Street at 1:18 a.m. Saturday. McDonald was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Batavia boys and girls track teams win Section V champions along with Le Roy boys

By Howard B. Owens

Both the boys and girls track teams from Batavia High School won Class C Section V championships in a meet at RIT last night.

Le Roy boys won the Class D title and the Le Roy girls came in second.

Batavia boys finished with 117.50, edging out Aquinas Institute, 74.50. The girls had 113 points and Wayland-Cohocton came in second with 110.

Le Roy boys beat UPrep Rochester 86-79, while the girls came in behind Marion, 71-60.

Individual event winners from Genesee County:

  • Kimmy Lovett, Byron-Bergen, girls 600 meter run
  • Batavia girls, 4x800 meter relay
  • Kristyn Mott, Batavia, girls pole vault
  • Julianna Lauricella, Le Roy, girls 600 meter run
  • Becca Schwan, Le Roy, girls 1000 meter run
  • Raelynn Moskal, Alexander, girls 1500 meter run
  • Le Roy girls, 4x400 meter relay
  • Le Roy girls, 4x800 meter relay
  • Alex Egeli, Batavia, boys 55 meter dash
  • Alex Egeli, Batavia, boys 55 meter hurdles
  • Batavia boys, 4x200 meter relay
  • Batavia boys, 4x400 meter relay
  • Devon Koepp, Batavia, boys shot put
  • Ryan McQuillen, Le Roy, boys 55 meter dash
  • John Woordworth, Le Roy, boys 1000 meter run
  • D.J. Ohlson, Alexander, boys 55 meter hurdles
  • Le Roy boys, 4x800 meter relay
  • D.J. Ohlson, Alexander, boys high jump
  • Ryan McQuillen, Le Roy, boys long jump
  • Ryan McQuillen, Le Roy, boys triple jump

Photos submitted by Nicholas Burk

Law and Order: Parolee accused of possessing needle

By Howard B. Owens

Michele L. Difalco, 25, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument. Batavia PD assisted NYS Parole at the residence of Difalco. Difalco was allegedly found in possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Dustin M. Fleming, 26, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Fleming was arrested after Batavia PD officers responded to Denny's Restaurant to investigate a complaint of an intoxicated person at that location. Fleming was found allegedly in possession of a small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe.

John Thomas Harley, 35, of Rich Place, Lacawana, is charged with operating with a suspended registration and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Harley was arrested on a warrant upon his release from the Erie County Jail. Following arraignment in Darien Town Court, he was jailed on $500 bail or $1,000 bond.

Knights give Cal-Mum a fright but let game slip away in closing seconds

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy almost pulled off an upset against archrival Cal-Mum on Wednesday night.

But there's no almost in basketball. And there are no moral victories.

"They played good," said Rick Rapone, Le Roy's first-year head coach. "But you've got to play 32 minutes. You can't play 31 minutes and 50 seconds. You've got to play it the whole way out."

With the score knotted at 57, the Red Raiders took possession of the ball with less than 20 seconds left on the game clock.

It only took a couple of passes to get the ball to a wide open Chris Wilson just beyond the arch. His three-point swoosh gave Cal-Mum the lead with only 4.8 seconds left.

Three points is a big deficit to erase with only a few ticks to go and the Oatkan Knights were forced to settle -- no matter how well the game was played for 31 minutes and 50 seconds -- with a 60-57 loss.

"I told the kids I'll feel good when we finish one of these games off," Rapone said. "We've got to play 32 minutes."

Le Roy finishes the regular season with a 7-11 record and will open sectional play Feb. 18 against Bath-Haverling (8-10).

An upset over the 17-1 Red Raiders would have given Rapone's program a nice boost, but he still feels good about his team heading into the championship rounds.

The Oatkan Knights under Rapone play a fast-paced offense and pressure defense that should give a lot of teams fits.

"You really don't want to play us," Rapone said.

"Our program is going in the right direction," Rapone said. "We have gotten better every single week since I started and we're hoping now this catapults us into the tournament."

The Knights certainly had Cal-Mum's Dan Dickens pulling at his collar in the second quarter and the Raider's fans on the visitors' side of the bleachers grumbling, "we're better than this."

With the Raiders down by a dozen points in the second period, Dickens called a time out, sat his starters down and gave them a good tongue lashing.

A Raider's fan told another, "they deserve it."

But it's hard to stop a hot hand and Knights certainly had that going for them in the first half, dropping six three-point shots (compared to none in the second half).

As the second quarter wound down, Cal-Mum cut Le Roy's lead to two points and the second half would be a battle with neither team gaining a clear advantage until those fateful closing seconds.

"We held them to 60 points," Rapone said. "I don't think they've been held to 60 points very many times this season."

Zack Moore led the Knights with 20 points, including two threes, and going four of six from the foul line. Nick Egling had 10 points, including a pair of threes in the first quarter. Mike McCullen was four of five from the foul line and finished with six points. Ethan Witkowski and Kody Lamkin had seven points each.

Kurtis Haut and Will Van Auken had 18 points each for Cal-Mum and Chris Wilson scored 13.

For Le Roy, Lamkin had eight rebounds and Moore had seven. Steve Cappotelli and Moore each had three assists.

For Cal-Mum, Van Auken was a monster on the boards with 13 rebounds. He also blocked four shots.

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Package of meth allegedly shipped to address in Oakfield, Le Roy man arrested

By Howard B. Owens

Acting on a tip from law enforcement in Florida that a package of methamphetamine was being shipped to an address in Oakfield, members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested a Le Roy man allegedly found in possession of the package.

Mark J. Puma, 42, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and possession of controlled substances by ultimate user's original container.

The tip came from the Winterhaven Police Department. The package was reportedly delivered to an address on Farnsworth Avenue.

After confirming the package delivery, members of the task force reportedly observed Puma leaving the residence.

A traffic stop for an alleged traffic violation was initiated on Maltby Road, Oakfield, by a uniformed deputy and a state trooper.

During an interview with Puma, it was determined that Puma was allegedly in possession of Adderall.

A K-9 search of Puma's 2000 Toyota 4-Runner led to a positive alert by the dog on suspected narcotics in the vehicle.

The suspect package, with a return address in Lakeland, Fla., was located in the vehicle and a quanity of meth was allegedly found in the package.

Puma was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Assisting in the investigation were the District Attorney's Office, uniformed deputies, state troopers, Medina PD and Medina PD's K-9, "Kye."

Vescovi drops 37 as Le Roy shocks Cal-Mum

By Nick Sabato

It’s a game every athlete dreams of.

It’s senior night on the road against your big rival, with sectional implications on the line.

That’s what Le Roy was facing against Cal-Mum…and Montana Vescovi responded by pouring in a career-high 37 points and leading the Oatkan Knights to a comeback victory, avenging an earlier defeat to the Lady Raiders, 62-45.

In their first contest this season, freshman Gillian Flint went off for 25 points in a 5-point Cal-Mum win, and the start of this game appeared as if she was picking up where she left off.

Flint, who has been averaging 20 points per game over her last four contests, scored 11 points in the first quarter as Cal-Mum raced out to a 9-point lead.

Every aspect of Le Roy’s game seemed to be sputtering, as Vescovi only attempted one field goal from the field (a miss) and went 5-of-12 from the foul line in the first frame.

The second quarter was a different story however, as the Knights scored the first nine points to tie the game at 17.

Vescovi also came alive, scoring 10 points in the period, including eight in a row at one point.

“It was a hostile crowd, I told them to just settle down and relax,” said Le Roy Head Coach Brian Herdlein. “I just told my girls that they were going to have a run and they needed to just keep doing what they were doing.”

The Knights clamped down on Flint, holding her scoreless in the quarter, but Cal-Mum junior Hannah Anderson took charge, scoring six points in a row, and Adrianna Molisani buried a three-pointer at the buzzer to take a 28-25 lead into halftime.

But, Vescovi came out firing in the third quarter, scoring 11 points in the frame.

“She’s an exceptional player,” Herdlein said of Vescovi. “She’s always been a scorer, but she’s added to her game. I tell her all the time that there aren’t a lot of people that can stop her. Mentally she came to play and she didn’t want to lose tonight.”

The Knights took a 39-37 lead with 2:39 remaining in the quarter and never relinquished it.

Le Roy held Cal-Mum just four points, and Vescovi scored 11 more points to vanquish their rivals eight miles up Route 5.

Even more impressive, Flint was held to just seven points after her monster first quarter.

“Flint came out on fire,” Herdlein said. “We really needed to have a girl stay on her the whole time and deny her the ball. I think we did a better job of that as the game went along.”

The Knights also got a strong game from senior Alicia Conte, who finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.

Vescovi’s 37 points puts her just 32 shy of 1,000 for her career, but she was solid in every facet of this game, adding nine rebounds and three steals to her stat line.

This win was not just important because of the rivalry, but because the win guarantees Le Roy (9-8) the fourth seed in Class B2 and one more home game.

“This was huge for us,” Herdlein said. “Any time you can play in this kind of environment, it gets you ready for that sectional environment. It’s always rough, you have to play four quarters and that’s what we had to do tonight.”

Flint finished with 18 points and six rebounds for Cal-Mum (11-7), while Anderson added 14 points and nine rebounds.

One-vehicle rollover on westbound Thruway, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 377.4. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding and a crew from Pavilion is requested to stage in its hall.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: An engine from Pavilion is requested to stand by in Le Roy's hall.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: State Police on scene say all responders can go back in service -- no need for fire or medical personnel.

Law and Order: Woman accused of mistreating pit bull

By Howard B. Owens

Nina M.E. Kelso, 29, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with torturing or injuring an animal/failure to provide sustenance and owning/haboring an unlicensed dog. Batavia PD responded to Kelso's residence at 6:08 p.m., Feb. 4, to investigate a report of a maltreated/malnourished dog. Officers allegedly found a pit bull identified as Kelso's dog that was malnourished and weak. The dog was reportedly unable to stand or move on its own. The dog was also unlicensed. The dog was taken to Batavia State Street Animal Hospital and continues to receive treatment and care.

Johnnie Waston

Johnnie M. Waston, 30, unknown address, Rochester, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, and criminal trespass, 2nd. Waston allegedly entered the apartment on State Street of somebody he did not know at 1:54 p.m., Sunday, and remained in the residence unlawfully. Waston allegedly provided a fake name to police and was later recognized and identified by jail personnel. Waston was found to have an active bench warrant for his arrest out of the city court in Rochester.

Scott R. Merrill, 45, of Darien Center, is charged with DWI. A state trooper reportedly observed a vehicle stop at the Colby Road railroad crossing, which at the time had flashing lights and the gate arms down, indicating an approaching train. The vehicle allegedly proceeded around the gates and narrowly avoided being hit by an Amtrak train. The vehicle was stopped and Merrill was taken into custody following further investigation.

Rodney Lowell McKenzie, 49, of Weaver Street, Buffalo, is charged with inhalation of toxic vapors. McKenzie was reported found at 11:51 a.m., Feb. 5, sitting in his vehicle allegedly huffing keyboard cleaner. He was also charged with petit larceny for allegedly shoplifting from Walmart.

Danny Jay Torok Jr., 26, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with assault, 2nd. Torok allegedly started a fight with another inmate while incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail.

Mark Andrew Kempie Jr., 45, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kempie allegedly stole merchandise valued at $13.67 from Kmart.

Gary Edwin Gerevics, 55, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Gerevics was allegedly found in possession of firearms in violation of a court order of protection. He was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Jason A. Klinkbeil, 25, of 50 South St., Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant. Klinkbeil turned himself in on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with drug court. He was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Nathan Paul Crawford,18, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with public lewdness. Crawford allegedly exposed his genitals to another person while on East Main Street, Batavia, at 5:46 p.m., Feb. 5.

Suzanne M. Corona, 44, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Corona is accused of stealing from a location Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 8:38 p.m., Saturday. She was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Jacob J. Lentz, 24, of Aurora, Iowa, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Lentz was stopped at 10:50 p.m., Saturday, on Albion Road in Oakfield by State Police.

Deborah L. Smith, 55, of Spencerport, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle while on highway. Smith was stopped by State Police at 11:25 p.m., Friday, on Route 63, Town of Batavia.

House fire reported on South Lake Avenue, Village of Bergen

By Billie Owens

A house fire is reported at 74 S. Lake Ave. in the Village of Bergen. Bergen fire is responding along with mutual aid from Le Roy.

UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: A responder on scene reports the occupant says the basement is full of smoke. Investigating.

UPDATE 4:58 p.m.: Smoke is confirmed in the basement, but no flames showing.

UPDATE 5:01 p.m.: Fire Police will shut down the Four Corners in Bergen "as soon as the train goes by." All Le Roy equipment is cancelled, as well as a fill in unit from Churchville.

UPDATE 5:03 p.m.: Sounds like the problem is the furnace.

UPDATE 5: 25 p.m.: The Bergen command puts the assignment back in service.

Le Roy track star signs with University of Arkansas

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy track and field standout Ruben Owens, front row center, signed a national letter of intent yesterday to attend the University of Arkansas on a full scholarship.

Owens has won Section V titles in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. In all, for both winter and spring seasons, Owens holds 11 Section V titles.

He holds the school records in the high, long and triple jump.

Information and photo submitted by Tim McArdle.

One-vehicle rollover on westbound Route 490

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident, with minor if any injuries, is reported on the westbound Route 490 at mile marker 2.5, between the Bergen and Le Roy exits. However, the occupants are unable to get out of the vehicle. Le Roy fire and and an ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 8:22 a.m.: The occupant(s) is out of the vehicle and unharmed. The ambulance is cancelled. There is another accident not far from this one in which a car is off the road, but no one is injured. A Mercy medic who was headed to that scene before being cancelled, said the road is covered with black ice. Both the Le Roy and Bergen assignments are back in service. The DOT is to be notified that the road conditions on the 490 "are just terrible."

Grand Jury indicts man for attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment

By Billie Owens

These are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

John J. Saddler is indicted on four counts. The first is for the crime of attempted rape in the first degree, a Class B felony, for allegedly attempting to engage in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion. This allegedly occurred Aug. 31 in the Town of Batavia. In count two, he is accused of touching the victim's genitals by forcible compulsion, a Class D felony. In count three, he is accused of forcing the victim to touch him on the genitals by forcible compulsion, also a Class D felony. In count four, Saddler is accused of unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly restraining the victim in a motel room.

Dortha L. Penders is indicted for aggrevated driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, for allegedly driving a 2008 Dodge while intoxicated on Sept. 22 on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia while a child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count two, she is accused of committing the same crime with a BAC of .08 or more, also a Class E felony, and while a child age 15 or less was a passenger.

Donald W. Sczepanski is indicted for driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, for allegedly operating a 2004 Pontiac while intoxicated on Route 238 on Aug. 2 in the Town of Alexander. In count two, he is accused of committing the same crime with a BAC of .08 or more, also a Class E felony.

Thomas P. Lester is indicted for driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, for allegedly driving a 1998 Dodge while intoxicated on Sept. 12 on Townline Road in the Town of Byron. In count two, he is accused of committing the same crime with a BAC of .08 or more, also a Class E felony.

Robert C. Hinett is indicted for driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, for allegedly driving a 2003 Subaru while intoxicated on Aug. 23 on Lake Street in the Town of Le Roy.

The Grand Jury issued No Bill for Kiernan W. Kinney after considering evidence relating to possible charges of sexual abuse in the first degree for incidents which allegedly occurred on April 10 in the Town of Pavilion.

Law and Order: Le Roy man charged with assault

By Howard B. Owens

Jesse Woods, 18, of 41 Lake St., Le Roy, is charged with assault, 3rd. Woods is accused of punching a relative, causing bleeding, bruising and a fat lip. Woods was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Henry L. Banks, 43, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on City Court warrant for alleged front yard parking. Banks was arrested following a traffic stop by Deputy Joseph Corona and turned over to Batavia PD on the warrant. Banks posted $100 bail.

Party broken up by Local Drug Task Force on Saturday in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Five people are accused of gathering at a residence in Le Roy on Saturday for the purpose of unlawful conduct leading to their arrest on marijuana charges.

Members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant at 9 Union St., Le Roy.

Joshua M. Bratcher, 23, of Union Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal nuisance, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

His apparent guests where charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. They are Samantha L. Pomeisl, 25, of Union Street, Le Roy; Jesse D. VanBuren, 22, of Alwardt Road, Wyoming; and, Alexander A. Chandler, 22, of Bacon Street, Le Roy.

Investigators said they recovered a quantity of marijuana and several smoking devices.

All five individuals were issued appearance tickets.

Assisting in the case were the District Attorney's Office, Deputy Chris Erion and canine Destro, and Le Roy PD.

CORRECTION: We left out a name: Erica C. Puleo, 25, of Union Street, Le Roy. Charged with criminal nuisance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Brother of high voltage wire thief pleads guilty with promise of weekend jail sentnece

By Howard B. Owens

The brother of a man already sent to prison for stealing high voltage hire from businesses in Le Roy has a chance to avoid a prison term after pleading guilty today to possession of stolen property.

Dustin Nicometo entered his plea in County Court in satisfaction of two felony indictments against him that included burglary and grand larceny counts.

Nicometo, now a Bernville, Pa., resident could be sentenced in April to an intermittent jail term followed by a period of probation as part of the plea deal.

The 26-year-old man will need to abide by the terms of his release under supervision until his sentencing date in order to preserve the deal.

On Jan. 21, Michael Nicometo was sent to state prison for at least three and a half years and ordered to pay $86,017.57 in restitution to Dolomite and Troy Manufacturing.

Dustin Nicometo admitted to possessing wiring and equipment from the Troy job, but when asked if he knew the items were stolen at the time, Dustin Nicometo told Judge Robert Noonan, "no."

Noonan asked him why he was pleading guilty if he didn't know the items were stolen.

Nicometo said he didn't know the items were stolen and after a little more back and forth, Noonan explained that in order for him to plead guilty he had to admit that either he knew the items were stolen or he had a reason to believe the items were stolen and Nicometo agreed that he had a reason to believe the items were stolen.

Photo: Young and old entertained by Harlem Wizards in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

No doubt, a good time was had by all in Le Roy last night as the Harlem Wizards came to town for a charity game (for the PTSO) against Le Roy Central Schools faculty and staff.

The final score? Does it matter? Especially with the Wizards stopping the Le Roy team 10 points here and there (hint: the Wizards won). 

Above, Timothy Stukes, a.k.a., Tomahawk jumps into a picture with some young fans.

Space Jam, Leon Sewell, does what he does best.

Athletic Director Brian Moran tackles the Oatkan Knights' mascot.

Space Jam hoists a young fan.

A-Train, Arnold Bernard, left, stopped the game and yelled, "hey, photographer, photographer, take our picture," and pulled Eric "Broadway" Jones to his side.

A fan gets her purse back for the price of a kiss on the cheek.

Brian Moran shooting a three-pointer. He was given three tries to make it, but later in the half, Moran sunk a shot at the buzzer from half court.

There were lots of Harlem Wizard souvenir basketballs in the crowd.

Brian Herdlein and Tomahawk battle for a loose ball.

Space Jam during a break in the game when all of the children were invited onto the floor to dance with the team.

Space Jam throwing out souvenirs.

A fan gets a Wizards ball autographed by Tomahawk.

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'Suspicious condition' in Le Roy might be due to coyote hunting

By Billie Owens

A caller reports a suspicious condition in the Town of Le Roy. A man was seen putting "a small dog" in the trunk of his car. He was toting a rifle over his shoulder. Law enforcement is responding to check it out. "Several guys I talked to were out coyote hunting this morning," says an officer.

Vehicle capable of rescues on ice or in water demonstrated for firefighters

By Howard B. Owens

City fire hosted a demonstration today at Dewitt Recreation Area of a rescue vehicle designed to handle snow, ice and open water to rescue people who might be stranded in dangerous conditions.

The vehicle is made of a snowmobile and a foam-filled platform that can keep it floating on water. Propulsion is created by the snowmobile's chain drive.

"It gives stability and a safety factor to firefighters that simply doesn't exist in any other vehicle," said Roger Bailey, CEO of WISE Technology, which is based in New Hampshire. 

This was the first demonstration of the vehicle in WNY.

The demonstration was set up by Bob Valvo of LVA Sales, a manufacturers' rep company with offices on Harverster Avenue.

The city has no immediate plans to purchase the vehicle.

Le Roy fire was also on hand for the demo.

Video by Alecia Kaus, Video News Service.

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