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One person injured in early morning house fire in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATE 10:49 a.m.: The family cat perished in the fire.

UPDATED 9:27 a.m. Updated at 2:32 p.m. with addtional information included.

One person suffered burns in an early morning house fire at 3 Orchard Drive, Le Roy, the that Le Roy police classify as suspicious.

No suspect has been named in the fire.

Two other people managed to escape the blaze, one by climbing out of a second floor window and the other being helped from a second floor deck by a Le Roy Police officer, who protected her from the flames as he helped her down an outside stairway.

The call came in at 3:26 a.m. after the family dog woke one of the residents and alerted her to the fire. She called 9-1-1.

The woman was then helped from the deck by Officer Rob Tygart. Her husband, Richard Nelson, climbed from a back window when his exit path was blocked by flames.

Paul Atkinson, 42, reportedly suffered 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns. He was taken by Le Roy Ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Nelson suffered an ankle injury, but initially declined treatment. Hours after the fire, he requested treatment for the injury as well as a complain of pain in his side.

The fourth occupant of the home, the owner, Thomas Atkinson, was out  delivering newspapers at the time the fire was called in.

Le Roy Chief of Police Chris Hayward said the investigation has not yet determined if smoke detectors sounded after the blaze started.

"The daughter was the one who called the fire in and the way it was going it probably would have been a total loss if she hadn’t heard the dog," Hayward said. "God only knows what the outcome would have been."

There are aspects of the fire scene, Hayward indicated, that lead investigators to suspect the fire could have been intentionally set.

Investigators are trying to determine who might have set the fire.

An aggressive response by the first Le Roy firefighters on scene, Bill Wood and Tom Carroll, was critical to containing the fire to two back rooms, said Le Roy Fire Chief Mike Sheflin, who also gave credit to the department's aerial crew.

"You can see where they cut the vent," Sheflin said. "It's in the perfect spot to keep the fire from extending."

Sheflin said the department quickly overcame a problem with water pressure in the neighborhood by calling in tankers from Stafford, Bergen, Pavilion and Caledonia.

The chief wouldn't speculate on the cause of the drop in water pressure and referred questions to the Monroe County Water Authority. There is water line construction currently taking place on East Avenue.

Also assisting at the scene were Genesee County Emergency Services and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. A Mercy EMS ambulance responded on standby in Le Roy while the local ambulance was tied up on the call.

No firefighters were injured.

Photos: Flowers in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

After visiting with Kyle on the public banks of the Tonawanda, I pointed my bike down Walnut Street and then headed down Law Street. When I got to the point where I'd again cross the Tonawanda, I spotted the daisies above and stopped for a picture.

The Tonawanda made a nice background for this single stem of grass.

A small yellow flower growing on the bank of the Tonawanda (can anybody identify it?)

Back on Jackson Street: Every year, I stop at least once to admire this rose bush. I can't identify the variety, but I'm pretty sure it is some sort of old world/heirloom rose.  

Photo: Tonawanda Creek is public property

By Howard B. Owens

Earlier today, reader Kyle Couchman posted a comment about seeing a man chase a group of boys who were fishing from the banks of the Tonawanda Creek, near the Walnut Street footbridge.

The man, according to Couchman, claimed he owned the bit of creek bank the boys were on.

But according to the County's GIS parcel map, just about every inch of the Tonawanda Creek is public property.

Its path through the city is owned by Batavia and includes a few feet of creek bank (and in some places, such as near the footbridge, it includes slightly more).

Of course, that doesn't mean you can trespass on private property to get to the banks, but if you are on the banks, you're on public property.

This evening, for my bike ride, I thought I'd go to the spot Kyle described and guess who I found fishing there? That's Kyle above, rod in hand, and bragging that he'd already snagged a couple of nice fish. But nobody had tried chasing him off, either.

One-vehicle rollover on Oatka Trail

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 8364 Oatka Trail. The victim is still trapped inside.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance are dispatched.

UPDATE 7:50 p.m. (by Howard). The vehicle "has uprighted itself" and left the scene. A first responder said, "I just passed it. It's all over the road." The vehicle was last seen on Circular Hill Road headed toward Route 5. The vehicle is a black and white Chevy S10 with three occupants. Le Roy unit responding to the scene of the original accident to deal with a small fuel spill. The other truck responding is back in service.

UPDATE 7:59 p.m. (by Howard): Le Roy fire back in service.

Electrical panel box on fire at Alexander home

By Billie Owens

An electrical fire is reported coming from the panel box outside the residence at 10805 Sandpit Road in Alexander.

Alexander Fire Department is on location and advises that National Grid be notified.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: National Grid notified, no ETA. The firefighters are checking out the rest of the home to make sure everything is OK.

UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: Alexander Fire back in service.

Photos: 2011 Resurrection Parish Lawn Fete and Parade

By Howard B. Owens

The summer doesn't officially begin in Batavia until the Resurrection Parish Lawn Fete and Parade.  The weather was near perfect yesterday and a large crowd turned out for the fun and the food.

Another 50 or so pictures after the jump.

 

Raceway accident in Perry prompts local emergency response

By Billie Owens

An accident at Wyoming County International Speedway Pavilion Motocross Park in Perry Covington has Mercy Flight out of Batavia flying north of the racetrack and Pavilion Fire Department setting up a landing zone there.

A 36-year-old man has suffered bumps and bruises to his chest and has been unconscious for 10 minutes.

The location is Taylor and Perry roads.

Top prospect pitcher no-hits Notre Dame in championship game

By Howard B. Owens

The video is of Marissa Diescher, pitcher for Livingston Manor, a Gatorade Player of the Year with a full-ride scholarship to Penn State. 

Her fastball can clock at 67 mph, which she mixes with a change up, rise and drop.

After taking a semi-finals game 16-0 earlier today against a pitcher who threw 15 to 20 mph slower, Notre Dame Coach Rick Mancuso said his Fighting Irish team was a little out of rhythm to start the game.

He also he made a mistake in the first inning, calling the wrong pitch, which led to a home run for Livingston Manor and a 2-0 deficit. 

It was all up hill from there, with Notre Dame only getting two base runners on no hits and dropping the final 8-0.

"It was a great trip and I couldn't be prouder of the girls," Mancuso said. "We had a great time down here. It was awesome."

He said even in being no hit, the Notre Dame girls were pleased to get a chance to compete against a player of Diescher's caliber.

Notre Dame girls softball team set to play for state title

By Howard B. Owens

The Notre Dame girls softball team won its semi-final championship game in Glens Falls today by a score of 16-0.

The team will begin a game within the hour to decide the state champion in its class.

Driver involved in one-car accident in Corfu reportedly fell asleep

By Howard B. Owens

Fatigue is the apparent cause of an accident in the Village of Corfu overnight when a driver reportedly fell asleep and struck a utility pole in the area of 37 Main St.

Randel J. Seweryniak, of 9635 Colby Road, Corfu, suffered a minor injury in the accident and was transported to UMMC.

Seweryniak was driving a 2001 Dodge pickup truck when the truck struck a National Grid pole at 12:04 a.m.

Two mailboxes were also damaged.

No citations were issued.

The accident was investigated by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

(initial report)

DWI alleged in one-car accident on Sweetland Road

By Howard B. Owens

A driver involved in a one-car accident on Sweetland Road, Stafford has been charged with DWI.

Ricky O. Cooper, Jr., 34, of 9344 Warsaw Road, Le Roy, suffered facial cuts and was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital after his 1992 Chevy pickup truck struck a utility pole in the area 6208 Sweetland Road.

Cooper said he was attempting to avoid a deer that had entered the road near a curve when he struck the pole.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff and Deputy Matt Butler.

(initials report)

Mt. Morris resident accused of selling heroin in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A Mt. Morris man with a prior criminal record was allegedly observed selling heroin in a Village of Le Roy parking lot, leading to his arrest on multiple drug dealing and possession charges.

Shaun M. Theriault, 30, of Parker Road, is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Theriault may also be wanted in Florida, but that hasn't been confirmed. He has prior convictions in New York for grand larceny, 4th, and robbery, 1st.

The Sheriff's Office reports that members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Le Roy Police Department observed Theriault allegedly conducting a drug transaction in a municipal parking lot in the village.

Upon approaching Theriault's car, officers allegedly found a quantity of suspected heroin, packaging baggies, a digital scale and $506 in U.S. currency. 

Theriault was arraigned in Town of Le Roy court for alleged attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal using drug paraphernalia, 2nd.

A web site out of Florida lists a Shaun M. Theriault with a birthdate of April 20, 1981 as wanted on a fugitive extradition warrant. Theriault is listed on the site as a Nunda resident. The mug shot on the site shows a blond man, but some facial features are similar. The warrant is from 2004, so may no longer be current.

Theriault was held in the state prision in Wyoming County from 2004 until Jan. 14, 2011, when he was released on parole. The crime was robbery, 1st, committed in Livingston County. He was previously in state prison in 2000 to 2001.

Tractor fire reported in Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor fire is reported at 10071 Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

The tractor is reportedly near a barn.

Bethany Fire is dispatched.

UPDATE 11:12 a.m.: It's a skid loader. It's been moved from the barn, but still close to the structure.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Fire appears to be out. Units can respond non-emergency.


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Car strikes pole in Village of Corfu, road blocked

By Billie Owens

A car has struck a pole at 39 East Main St. in the Village of Corfu. Wires are down and responders are told to use caution on approach.

Corfu Fire Department and Mercy medics are called.

A responder says a pole with transformer is down, completely blocking the roadway. A tow truck is called. Fire police are called. The intersection will be shut down.

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: National Grid has been advised, no ETA given. The patient is conscious, out of the vehicle and speaking with a medic now.

UPDATE 12:52 a.m.: National Grid is on scene. The male driver has been taken to UMMC.

Car strikes pole on Sweetland Road, Stafford

By Billie Owens

A vehicle has struck a pole in front of 6184 Sweetland Road. There are believed to be injuries. The location is just east of Transit Road.

Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics responding.

The pole snapped in two, the transformer is in the roadway. The driver may have left the scene and is bleeding from the face.

UPDATE 10:41 p.m.: The driver is still at the scene and is bleeding from the face. A Sheriff's deputy on scene says there are wires down all over the place.

UPDATE 10:50 p.m.: Additional manpower from Stafford is needed for traffic control at the accident scene. "This road will be closed for awhile." The pole is on top of a truck.

UPDATE 12:31 a.m.: Stafford units are back in service. The road is blocked off and National Grid will be on scene for awhile.

UPDATE 12:54 a.m.: The driver was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital at least a couple of hours ago.

Report of brush fire at back of the cemetery on North Street, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

There is a report of a brush fire near the back of the cemetery, off North Street in Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance responding.

UPDATE 8:48 p.m.: A chief reports, "It appears to be fairly decent size ... but we're not going to get it from here." He's recommending units repond to Church Street. Another chief requests law enforcement to the scene on the Church Street side.

UPDATE 8:57 p.m.: Fire knocked down.

Photo: Beatniks at John Kennedy School

By Howard B. Owens

The cafeteria at John Kennedy School was transported back in time today to the 1950s, when Beatniks ruled the poetry world.

The second grade class dressed in tie-die and berets for poetry readings and multi-media presentations for an audience of parents and teachers.

Not all of the poets represented in the readings were Beats, but the list included Shel Silverstein, Langston Hughes, John Gardner, Vachel Lindsay and Jeff Foxworthy.

Guest readers included Superintendent Margaret Puzio and school Principle Mr. Kesler.

The annual event was organized by second-grade teachers Ms. Mancuso, Mrs. Hallman and Mrs. Calandra. 

Pictured above are five of the students who participated, Juan Martinez, James Cooley, Ben Skalny, Haylee Thornley and Clair Griffith.

Possible structure fire reported on Wyoming Road

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 11341 Wyoming Road, in Pavilion near Route 19. The caller states that her husband says the fire is out, but it's in a crawl space and she's concerned that it might not be out.

Pavilion Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: The caller called back and said now there's a natural gas leak. A firefighter says the fire is out and they are investigating further.

UPDATE 5:29 p.m.: A thermal imaging camera is requested at the scene.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: National Fuel has an ETA of about 30 minutes.

GC Democratic Committee endorses candidates for November ballot

By Billie Owens

This information is from the GC Democratic Committee.

On Thursday, the Genesee County Democratic Committee met at the Batavia City Centre to endorse candidates for offices to be voted on in November.

Three candidates were endorsed for the county Legislature.

In District 5, which encompasses the Town of LeRoy, Jacalyn Whiting was endorsed unanimously. She is a lifelong Le Royan who has been involved in numerous community organizations including: Le Roy School Board member (past and present); Sports Boosters; Le Roy Youth Football, Le Roy Little League, Le Roy Business Council and many other organizations.

For District 7, the endorsement went to John Deleo. He has been active on the City Charter Commission and the City Planning Board. He is retired from the NYS Department of Corrections.

Ed DeJaneiro was also endorsed for another term in District 9.

The Democrats had a surprise visitor when Congresswoman Kathy Hochul stopped by to say hello and thank the committee for their hard work and dedication in the recent special election.

Hocul spoke to the group about her first week serving the people of the 26th District and her resolve to work tirelessly for the good of all the people in the district.

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