Le Roy

Timothy J. Corke II, 28, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested twice on Aug. 5 by Le Roy Police. Corke was arrested about 3:45 p.m. and charged with endangering the welfare of a child following an investigation into an incident. Corke allegedly threw a wristwatch at a 3-year-old child then slapped the child across the head causing bruises on the child's forehead and left eye. He was arraigned in the Le Roy Town Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice and a full stay away order of protection was issued. Later that night Corke was arrested again and charged with criminal contempt of court after he allegedly called the protected person violating the order of protection. He was arraigned and put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Cherylann Bevilacqua, 29, of Depew, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest following a traffic stop on Sumner Road in Darien. Bevilacqua was a passenger and exited the vehicle while the driver was performing a sobriety test. Deputies told her to get back in the vehicle but she allegedly refused to do so. When confronted, she allegedly started to punch, scratch and spit at a deputy. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Joseph M. Platten, 31, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, leaving the scene of a property damaged accident, following too closely, backing unsafely, and no front plate after a hit and run accident on Ross Street Aug. 4. Platten allegedly rear-ended another vehicle and fled the scene cutting through a parking lot. Platten's front license plate fell off his vehicle at the scene of the accident. In addition to the charges, he was issued traffic tickets for driving with an obstructed view and disobeying a traffic control device. He posted $250 bail.

Andrew L. Kosiorek, 43, of Haven Lane, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and unlicensed operator following a traffic stop by Officer Chad Richards on Cedar Street. Kosiorek allegedly had multiple suspensions/revocations and did not possess a valid driver's license in any state. He was put in Genesee County Jail without bail.

A 16-year-old from Elba is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway. Deputy Joseph Corona pulled over the youth on Clinton Street Road in Stafford.

A 17-year-old from Varysburg is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. The youth allegedly shot a BB gun pistol at the rear window of a vehicle causing it to shatter. The incident occurred in the parking lot at Walmart in Batavia.

Charles-Gus T. Williams, 36, of Lockport, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child after an alleged domestic incident on Liberty Street in Batavia. Williams is accused of punching another person.

Cynthia E. Houseknecht, 35, of Jackson Street, Batavia, and Melvin L. Thomas are charged with harassment, 2nd, following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident. 

Charles W. Lococo, 25, of Depew, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, unlicensed operation, and failure to obey a police officer. While leaving the Kid Rock Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Lococo was pulled over by deputies after he failed to obey a traffic direction. Lococo is accused of driving while in an intoxicated condition with no driver's license. He was also ticketed for allegedly refusing a prescreen device.

Ralph A. Jones, 24, from Oregon, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driving while ability impaired by drugs following a traffic stop by Deputy Michael Lute on Alleghany Road in Pembroke.

Tera M. Williams, 42, of Bacon Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant issued out of Batavia City Court after Chili Police pulled her over for a traffic stop. Williams is accused of failing to pay a fine for a disorderly conduct conviction. She was turned over to Batavia Police and issued an appearance ticket.

A structure fire is reported at 8062 Harris Road. Le Roy and Pavilion fire departments are responding. The location is said to be a metal-working shop behind a residence. It's by Linwood and Asbury roads.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: "It's going to be a stove fire, knocked down in that shop," says a dispatcher.

Jessica Horton, 25, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with seven counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and grand larceny, 3rd, following an investigation by the Genesee County Department of Social Services. Horton is accused of receiving more than $10,000 in Temporary Assistance and Food Stamp benefits that she was not entitled to after she submitted various forms stating her two children were residing with her when they were not. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Tia E. Schmieder, 23, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and identity theft, 2nd. Schmieder allegedly used another person's Target credit card without authorization to purchase $2,685 worth of merchandise from the Batavia store. Schmieder also is accused of using the same person's Bank of America credit card account number to obtain services exceeding $1,482 at Alex's Place and Best Western Crown Inn in Batavia.

Yolanda E. Johnson, 29, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny following an investigation into a report of money that was allegedly stolen from a Byron resident. Johnson is accused of stealing money on two occasions while she was working at the person's home as an aide.

An accident with possible injuries is reported at West Main and Clay streets in Le Roy. Le Roy Ambulance Service is already en route and Le Roy fire is responding.

Nancy Burke (left) shows off a firefighting-themed quilt she made during a fundraising event at Frostridge Campground for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department. The event included the waterslide (later in the afternoon) and appearance by the department's trucks, a chance auction and food. David and Greg Luetticke-Archbell have hosted an event honoring the fire department volunteers annually for the past several years. Also holding the quilt is Michelle Dries.

(Kate Parmenter, Lori Steinbrenner and Julie Laurie)

Personal Preference Salon and Spa on Main Street in Le Roy held its 25 year anniversary customer appreciation celebration last night.

Family, friends, clients and even owner Lori Steinbrenner's cosmetology teacher came out to commemorate the accomplishment.

Steinbrenner and her three other stylists, Julie Laurie, Linda White and Kate Parmenter serve clients old and young. The salon offers hair styling and coloring services, manicures, pedicures and waxing.

“I love what I do so it’s not a job,” Steinbrenner said. “My goal is to form personal connections with my clients and make them feel comfortable.”

Steinbrenner has been working as a hair stylist for 34 years. She has lived in Le Roy her entire life and couldn’t imagine having her business anywhere else. Before owning her own salon, she worked for nine years at the same location on Main Street when it was formerly called Bev’s Beauty Shop. Steinbrenner purchased the salon in 1990 and renamed it Personal Preference.

“Le Roy is a warm, cozy and inviting community,” Steinbrenner said. “I plan on staying in business for many more years.”

In the future, Steinbrenner is looking to expand and offer massages and facials.

(Lori Steinbrenner with her family)

A nutrition and wellness consultant from Le Roy offers advice on how to accomplish wellness goals and live healthier in her new book "90 Days to Holistic Wellness: Balancing Your Body, Mind, Heart and Soul."

Tracy Martorana, author and owner of Holisitc Wellness with Tracy, transformed her life by implementing a series of small changes into her daily routine and decided to write her first book to help people develop healthier and happier lifestyles in three months.

Martorana's book guides readers along a week-by-week program. Each week Matorana gives advice on a wellness topic and offers one small change readers can make to improve their lives. In order to be healthy, she believes people need to develop a balance in their lives so she focuses on a variety of topics including nutrition, meditation, exercising and journaling.

"I only ask my readers to make one change a week so it's not overwhelming," Martorana said. "For each small change, I offer several options so they can adjust the change to meet their daily lifestyles."

In addition to offering advice, she provides readers with tools for setting their own wellness goals and tracking their changes. The weekly sections also build upon the previous ones so the 12 small changes add up to a significant change.

"I chose 90 days because it's a long enough time for my readers to experience a decent return," Martorana said. "The goal is to have readers start to feel healthier and notice the benefits so they are inspired to continue practicing the changes after 90 days."

Martorana will be having her first book launch party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 58 On Main in Le Roy on Wednesday, Aug. 19. She will be signing books in exchange for a small donation to Grace's Kitchen, an organization that offers a free dinner to the community every Tuesday. There will be books for sale, giveaways and refreshments.

A tractor-trailer rollover accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 377. The driver is said to be trapped inside. Le Roy fire and Mercy medics are responding. Bergen fire is asked to stand by in its quarters in case mutual aid is needed.

UPDATE 5:16 p.m.: Le Roy command requests the Bergen crew to stage at the Le Roy Park & Ride lot.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called and will land in the median adjacent to the accident scene.

UPDATE 5:54 p.m.: Bergen went back in service about 15 minutes ago. Le Roy is going back in service now and a responder tells dispatch that Thruway traffic "is backed up quite a bit." Didn't catch the destination of Mercy Flight.

A minor-injury accident is reported at 8715 Lake Street Road, north of the Village of Le Roy. A vehicle was on fire, but the fire has been extinguished. Law enforcement on scene. Le Roy fire and ambulance, as well as fire police, requested to the scene. The location is in front of Orcon Industries.

Le Roy salon owner expanded her one-woman hair salon into a full-service salon to meet the demands of her growing business.

Nanette Chiulli, owner of Nanette's Hair & Now, had always dreamed of owning a hair salon and made her dream a reality when she opened her small salon on Mill Street in Le Roy in March 2013. In less than two years, Chiulli's business became a success and she was looking to move into a larger location so she could offer her clients more services.

Chiulli didn't think she would find a location for her hair salon in Le Roy until Amy Whitmore-McClellan, former owner of Hot Heads Salon, asked if she would be interested in taking over the salon six months ago. After some thought, she decided to take Whitmore-McClellan on her offer and started the process. 

With the help of family and friends, Chiulli moved to 25 W. Main St. in Le Roy and remodeled the salon to fit her style. Her stepfather, Paul Walton, built the styling stations and her brother-in-law, Tom Sherman, built a coloring table. For a finishing touch, her favorite quote from C.S. Lewis hangs on the wall "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

"My goal is to have a professional fun environment," Chiulli said. "I want my clients to feel comfortable. They love the bright lighting and the openness of the salon." 

In addition to offering hair styling and coloring treatments, she now has room to offer nail and waxing services. Chiulli also asked Whitmore-McClellan and her assistant Kelley Brackett to continue working at the salon. The salon has been open at the new location for about three weeks now.

Keeping up with the latest hair styles and coloring techniques is important to her. She takes styling classes regularly at Goldwell, a salon products distributor and education center, in Rochester. She also took a DevaCurl class in New York City to learn different techniques on how to cut and style curly hair.

"I like making clients feel good and giving them a change," Chiulli said. "It never gets old when I get a message from a client saying they love their hair."

Chiulli has been working as a stylist for 25 years. Before owning her hair salon, she worked at variety of salons including Shear Ego Salon and Spa in Rochester and Personal Preference Salon and Spa in Le Roy. In addition to her local clientele, she gets clients from Rochester and Geneseo, where she currently lives. She plans on continuing to grow her business in Le Roy because it's a central location for her clients.

In the future, Chiulli hopes to turn one of the salon's back rooms into a spa and offer massages.

Thomas M. Russell, 44, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with strangulation, 2nd, following an alleged domestic incident on Harvester Avenue. Russell was put in the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Beth G. DeLaVergne, 22, of Kendall Road, Pavilion, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child following an investigation when the parents of a 1-year-old child allegedly found reddish handprints on both shoulder blades after the child returned home from a daycare center in the village. After an investigation, Le Roy Police found DeLaVergne allegedly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the child and while caring for the child grabbed the child under both arms excessively hard creating the red marks. 

Dortha L. Penders, 37, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Penders allegedly left her 10-year-old child and 3-year-old child at home without supervision and didn't have an adequate emergency plan in place while she went to work in an adjoining county. 

Rodney A. Gregory, 50, from Kent, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, possession of burglar's tools and trespassing. Gregory allegedly entered onto the property of Hanson Aggregates in Le Roy without authorization on July 9. He is also accused of having tools used to commit forcible entry and property belonging to Hanson Aggregates in his vehicle. A staff member was routinely checking the property and noticed various thefts of scrap-type materials in Gregory's vehicle.

Edward C. Suhr Jr., 57, of Murray Street, Rochester, and Bruce J. Washington, 56, of Grand Avenue, Rochester, are charged with petit larceny. Suhr and Washington are accused of stealing approximately $421 worth of merchandise from Tops Market in Batavia. They were put in the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Matthew J. Pasternak, 25, from Amherst is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, moving from a lane unsafely and resisting arrest following a property damage accident on Main Street in Le Roy. Pasternak is accused of hitting a fire hydrant after getting in an argument with the passengers in his vehicle over his ability to drive in a safe manner. When officers attempted to take him into custody, he allegedly became abusive. He was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,500 bail.

Tyanna D. Green, 20, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Green is accused of possessing cocaine and drug paraphernalia during an investigation into an unrelated incident.

William J. Reschke, 20, and David J. Reschke, 24, both of Transit Road, Stafford, are charged with giving or selling alcohol to minors following a report of an alleged underage drinking party at their residence. Both subjects are accused of providing alcohol to minors and a place to consume it. Nickolas B. Taylor, 20, from Orange, Va., is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. Taylor allegedly possessed and consumed alcohol.

Dustin J. Wilmet, 26, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and petit larceny. Wilmet allegedly burglarized a residence on Bank Street and stole items in December 2014.

Robert W.  Devos, 27, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or greater. The incident happened at Batavia City Centre. Devos was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Leslie-Anne Irwin, 46, of Florence Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or greater, and aggravated unlicensed operation. Deputy Christopher Lindsay responded to Florence Avenue after receiving a complaint from a citizen about an erratic driver.

Christine M. Hendershott, 34, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, DWI, following too closely, moving from a lane unsafely and driver's view obstructed. Hendershott was pulled over on East Main Street in Batavia by Deputy Joseph Corona for alleged traffic violations when he found her to be in an intoxicated condition.

Michael L. Jackson, 60, of Willow Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to use a sidewalk following a disturbance at Austin Park. Jackson allegedly failed to use the sidewalk and went out into the roadway.

Dana M. McGill, 55, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. McGill allegedly stole groceries from a local business. The incident happened on Ellicott Street in Batavia.

Joseph W. Freeman, 31, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on two bench warrants issued out of Batavia City Court. Freeman allegedly failed to appear for a harassment charge and failed to comply with an agreement from Genesee Justice. He was put in Genesee County Jail.

Noel M. Wentworth, 46, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court for allegedly failing to appear for an aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, charge. Wentworth was put in Genesee County Jail on $250 bail. 

Lonnie Ford Jr., 69, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant issued out of Batavia City Court. Ford allegedly failed to pay a fine. He was processed and released after posting bail.

Anthony M. Paladino, 20, Aaron C. Lyons, 19, and Nathan E. Orlando, 19, are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop on Summit Street in Le Roy. All three subjects were issued appearance tickets.

Genesee County's newest retail business -- it opened Saturday -- is catching the consumer trend toward more authentic and artisanal products.

Stocked with handcrafted, infused olive oils and vinegars, speciality chocolates, handcrafted bath items, gourmet spreads and sauces, and one-of-a-kind gift items, The Divine Tree on Main Street in Le Roy was designed by owner Renee Mancini Johnson to appeal to customers who appreciate quality and healthy alternatives to what you might find in a Walmart Superstore.

"I took a lot of time, honestly, I didn't have a lot of time, but I did my homework," Johnson said. "I wanted to get some items that aren't everyday to everyone. It is unique in this aspect in that not everyone knows what to do with an infused olive oil, but there is so much you can do with them. For instance, the butter olive oil, you substitute for any butter or margin you use in a recipe."

Johnson, a lifelong Le Royan, hopes the store will not only appeal to local residents but help bring people from outside the area to shop in Le Roy.

Located inside of one of Le Roy's old Main Street buildings -- most recently a Radio Shack location -- Johnson completed the purchase of the building in April and immediately got busy with remodelling. The original idea was to find the original interior brick walls and expose them, but after stripping away the existing walls, no brick was found, so brick walls were built. The original ornate brass ceiling was uncovered. It had been painted white, so Johnson had it painted with brass metallic paint to bring back that old-time feel.

"A lot of people come in and say they feel like they're not even in Le Roy anymore, and that's what I want," Johnson said.

Brad Crocker. Photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

America's most celebrated “helpful place” is celebrating the grand opening of its newest lumber yard, located in Le Roy. The new lumber yard is an expansion to the existing Crocker's Ace Hardware Store located 8457 North Street Road in Le Roy. Crocker's Hardware and lumber staff will bring the company's unique blend of nationally recognized customer service and quality home-improvement knowledge and products back to Le Roy and the surrounding area residents.

Crocker's Ace Hardware is owned by Brad Crocker and Dan Diskin. Brad is the third generation from the Crocker family to own a business in the Town of Le Roy  His grandfather, Clarence, owned and operated a feed mill and farm supply store on Selden Road. His father, Judd, continued the tradition with his brothers, James and Louis, and built Crocker's Ace Hardware on the current site in 1969. Dan Diskin, Brad's partner,  is a native Le Royan also. He started working at Crocker's in college. Brad and Dan purchased the business from Judd and his brothers in 1998.

Brad lives on Selden Road in Le Roy with his sons, Ben and Cole Crocker, his girlfriend, Nicole Boyce, and her daughter, Christina Woodrow. He keeps busy around the house with his watercross snowmobile racing team. Their kids are active in four-wheeling with dad, Cub Scouts, swimming, youth soccer and youth volleyball. Nicole is a professional photographer who enjoys capturing everything from racing to senior portraits.

Dan is a village resident. At home on Myrtle Street are his wife, Cheryl, their daughters, Jenna and Alison, and son, Jack. A third daughter, Tess Diskin Ryan, recently married Joseph P. Ryan, formally of Batavia. They reside in Camp Lejeune, N.C. Cheryl is the records clerk for the Village of Le Roy Police Department. Jenna is a LIVES graduate of SUNY Geneseo; Alison works at JC Penney in Batavia and is a GCC student. Jack is junior at Le Roy High School and enjoys band and theater.

Brad and Dan have been planning the lumber expansion for several years.

“A lumber yard is something that LeRoy always has had,” Dan Diskin said. “For a long time, Le Roy had two -- Wickes and Lapp Lumber. When Potter Lumber (the former Lapp Lumber) closed, it was just the spark we needed to bring lumber back to the people of Le Roy!”

Brad and Dan worked closely with Mickey Hyde and the team at Bank of Castile to finance the project.

“We felt that working with our hometown bank was the best way for us to do business,” Brad explained. “Using government tax breaks and promising that we could add so many jobs if we got a loan did not interest us at this time.”

Ali is missing. He is a long-haired golden orange cat and is about a year old and weights 10 lbs. He is not fixed. He's been missing since Saturday on Lake Street in Le Roy. He has a collar. If you find Ali or know his whereabouts, contact Rashea Dukes at rashearaniek1@gmail.com -- or at (585) 752-7056.