Le Roy

Late this morning, I needed to drive out to Le Roy and since it was a beautiful day, I decided to take the long way. I found myself heading north on Perry Road.

Above is a barn owned by a gentleman named Mel who once had cows, sheep and horses. Now he just has a barn. Nice man. I was happy to meet him.

Below, an old house, and last, a barn on Route 19 at the end of Perry Road.

Stephen Irvine Stone (photo), 45, of South Lake Street, Bergen is charged with sodomy, 1st, rape, 1st and criminal sexual act, 1st. Stone is accused of engaging in oral sexual conduct with a six-year-old girl in 1997 and 1998. Stone is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl by forcible compulsion in 2004. Stone is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl by forcible compulsion in 2008. Stone was arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and jailed on $100,000 bail.

Gene Douglas Snyder, 30, of Orchard Street, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Snyder is accused of subjecting another person to unwanted physical contact.

Travis Lavern Schossow, 25, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Schossow is accused of pushing his girlfriend into a dresser, allegedly violating a no-offense conduct order out of City of Batavia Court. Schossow is also accused of throwing a plastic cigarette case at a wall. The case reportedly bounced off a wall and struck a 12-year-old child in the neck causing a scratch. Schossow was jailed on $2,000 bail. A stay-away order was issued for the alleged victim and her child.

Le Roy resident Ed Spink has spent the past four days knocking on doors looking for his 16-year-old cocker spaniel, "Molly."

Initially, Spink feared that a young man in a black Cadillac had stopped near a car wash in Le Roy and taken the dog. But it turns out the Caddy driver was local businessman Tim Walton, who tried to capture the dog because it was running in and out of traffic on Route 5, but the dog ran into a wooded area.

Spink's father takes care of the dog on weekdays, Spink said, and had the dog when it escaped.

"She must have gotten disoriented," Spink said.

Walton, who owns Pink Gorilla Tees, on East Main Street, Batavia, was with his girlfriend, Jenna Hubbard, when they spotted the lost dog. Walton shared the following description of events:

"We were driving down Route 5 and there was traffic backed up a few cars and another couple was in the road chasing a soaked and mud-covered dog that was running back and forth in traffic. I got out to help them and the dog got away from the traffic for a few seconds."

As the other couple left, the dog proceeded to turn around again toward the road.

"I was nervous that he would run back into traffic and get hit. I had a dog bone from my puppy in the car that I used to hopefully get him to come to me as I followed him up the hill towards an apartment complex. He would turn around and start to come to me until he got within a few feet then he would turn around and jog away. It seemed like a friendly dog and I was just hoping that I could get close enough to read his tags but the dog wouldn't allow it."

Walton followed the dog all the way up the hill until he walked into the wooded area next to the complex.

"At that point there was nothing else I could do. I just wanted to make sure he was safe and wasn't likely to wander back into traffic.

Spink said somebody told him the dog was spotted yesterday near the Kwik Fill on Route 5 in Le Roy, but he still hasn't been able to find the dog.

Anybody with information on the whereabouts of Molly can call Ed at 585-797-3731.

Cynthia L. Clark, 41, of 115 Wolcott St., Le Roy, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 3rd. Clark is accused of taking a vehicle and driving it to Rochester without the owner's permission.

Corey James Hemmer, 25, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Hemmer is accused of intentionally damaging a vehicle on Maple Avenue, Elba, on Dec. 12. Hemmer was jailed on $800 bail.

Kevin Michael Waleski, 23, of Church Street, Basom, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Waleski is accused of stealing a 2001 Dodge pickup truck valued at $10,000 from a location on Lewiston Road, Oakfield. The truck was located by a passerby in a ditch off Watson Road, Elba.

Ryan M. Palmer, 29, of 37 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and reckless driving. Palmer was stopped at 6:42 p.m., Saturday, in Batavia, by Sgt. John Peck.

Emergency dispatch is getting multiple calls about a rollover accident on either the Thruway or the I-490, or both.

Callers for the two different locations report a black SUV being involved.

Le Roy fire, Mercy EMS and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

Responders will be checking both locations.

UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: One patient, out of the vehicle, walking. Mercy Flight was on standby, is now cancelled. The accident is on the Thruway.

Message from Edward Spink:

A man in a Cadillac picked up my Cocker Spaniel  by the car wash in LeRoy NY  on Main Street 12\22\2011 in the evening. She is blonde –white and sixteen years old. If anyone knows the whereabouts of her please contact me …she is a part of our family and dearly missed.

585-797-3731

Michael A. Mistler is indicted on a charge of strangulation, 2nd, and assault, 2nd. Mistler is accused of obstructing the breathing and blood circulation by applying pressure to the victim's neck during an alleged incident July 22. Mistler is accused of trying to cause serious physical injury to the alleged victim.

Steven A. Mullen is indicted on charges of failure to register a change of address and offering a false instrument for filing. Mullen is a convicted sex offender and is accused of moving to a motel on West Main Street, Batavia, then he allegedly failed to register his change of address. Mullen allegedly filed a change of address with an incorrect address on the form.

Prosecutor's information: The Grand Jury declined to indict Thomas W. Sherman on a charge of assault, 2nd, but did charge Sherman with assault, 3rd. The case is referred back to the Town of Le Roy Court. Sherman allegedly assaulted a person in Le Roy on Jan. 23.

No Bill: The Grand Jury did not find sufficient evidence to indict Wyatt S. Penfold on charges of assault, 2nd, and attempted assault, 2nd. The charges stemmed from an alleged incident on July 22.

Randolph Ricardo Scott, 59, of West Humboldt, Buffalo, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and speeding (62 in a 40 mph zone). Scott was stopped at 10:58 p.m. Wednesday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Scott was allegedly in possession of 800 untaxed cigarettes.

Marc Anthony Crispino, 20, of Cassandra Circle, Chili, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes. Crispino was stopped at 12:02 a.m., Dec. 6, on Route 77, Pembroke, for alleged traffic violations by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves reportedly found Crispino in possession of 800 untaxed cigarettes.

Martin Andrew Wade, 53, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and insufficient turn lamps. Wade was stopped at 10:19 p.m. Wednesday on Route 5, Stafford, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Tabatha Holly Clark, 25, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, charged with petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance not in original container. Clark is accused of shoplifting $22.67 in merchandise from Kmart.

A reader submitted this picture of a rainbow in Le Roy this afternoon. The reader wrote, "The colors were so bright against the dark sky!! Can't believe its December and this was what I drove towards after work."

(btw: if you're going to send in pictures, please make sure they're at least 460 pixels wide so we can see them better.)

Le Roy police are looking for the black or Hispanic male behind the woman in the check-out line. Investigators have identified him as a person of interest in the theft of a stolen purse and credit card that occurred Tuesday.

Submitted by a reader:

In the basement of St. Joseph’s Oratory in Le Roy, parents and committee members heard the words everyone was praying for, “Holy Family will remain open for the 2012-2013 school year.” This announcement came  from the Diocese of Buffalo after word that the merger proposed with St. Joseph’s in Batavia had been rejected.

This good news comes with a catch though -- all benchmark goals previously set by the diocese still need to be reached.

“Every 10 students cost the school around $20,000,” Fr. Rock said, “every enrolled student lessens the financial burden of the school and, therefore, the parents.”

Benchmark goals include enrolling 120 students and raising $120,000 by June 2012. Enrollment goals include re-enrolling the 90 current K-7 students so parents are encouraged to make their commitment sooner than later.

An Enrollment and Marketing Committee has been established by a group of parents, professionals and supporters of HFS who plan to kick off the enrollment campaign this January.

A Finance Committee has also been created to manage donations and assist with tuition and financial aid.

“We need the donations and the tuition to run the school, but it is important for parents to know no student is turned away for the inability to pay,” said Dane Sprague, co-chair of the Finance Committee. "There is always a way and we will find it."

Sprague also reminded supporters to encourage donations of all sizes as no donation is too small. The school is launching a new website which will be live on the first day of Catholic Schools Week in January.

It is expected to have many more user-friendly features including the ability to make a quick and secure donation online. Until then, Holy Family School is asking those willing to donate to send gifts to HFS with attention to Denise Spadaccia, the school’s bookkeeper.

“Now is the time to donate and enroll, with confidence,” said Lindsay Warner, 1995 alumni and committee volunteer. "Holy Family School has been serving the Le Roy community and surrounding areas since 1889 and has proven tonight that she will continue to do so."

A 43-year-old man who apparently set himself on fire in a thwarted suicide attempt will serve 10 years in prison, Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled Tuesday afternoon.

Paul Atkinson admitted Oct. 26 to arson, 2nd, and Noonan was bound by law to impose a prison sentence, even though the defendant's sister and Atkinson himself both asked that he receive mental health treatment.

"I fully acknowledge the terrible losses you have had in your life," Noonan said. "The diseases that affilicted you, the personal pain that comes with divorce, the ping-pong life of children going back and forth, the loss of employment, financial hardships and the stress in your family. It's a soap opera. It's a very, very sad story.

"But," Noonan added, "you're very, very lucky you're not standing here before me accused of murdering several people."

Noonan said the record will reflect that Atkinson wants and need mental health treatment and that the state prison system does have programs in place.

"I hope you avail yourself of the help available, because you will be released from prison some day and when you're release you should get on with your life," Noonan said.

Atkinson started a fire July 14 in his father's home at 3 Orchard Drive, where he, his father and his sister and her husband were living at the time.

Atkinson's sister, Wendy Nelson, made a victim's statement and said that she suffered cracked ribs, a collapsed lung, smoke inhalation, anemia and post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result of the fire and hasn't been able to work since.

Yet, she said, she wants to see her brother get help.

"It's hard for him to ask for the help he needs," Nelson said. "I need to speak for somebody whom I feel cannot speak for himself and ask that he receives this help."

When Atkinson was given his turn to make a statement, he turned and thanked his sister and was barely able to be heard as he said, "I want help bad."

Noonan said he couldn't understand him, and Atkinson's next two attempts to speak were not understandable. Then he stood up a little straighter and said, "I know I need help now. I wish to receive help if it's offered to me. I'm very sorry for my crime."

Craig Daniel Martin, 27, of Morton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance not in its original container, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and unlicensed operation. Martin was stopped on Jackson Street, Batavia, at 1:09 a.m. Saturday by Deputy Patrick Reeves for alleged traffic violations. Martin was allegedly found in possession of two types of controlled substances and a quantity of marijuana concealed in his vehicle.

Brittany Megan Hart, 24, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Hart was charged following a traffic stop for alleged violations at 11 p.m. Sunday on Jackson Street, Batavia, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

Daniel John Hickey, 33, of Sherwood Drive, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Hickey was stopped at 1:22 a.m., Saturday on Route 262 in Elba by Deputy James Diehl.

Nicholas Keith Thorne, 23, of Osborne Road, Mt. Sterling, is charged with criminal mischief, 2nd. Thorne allegedly smashed a glass door and window at the Econo Lodge on Route 77, Corfu. Thorne was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Dennis P. Schroeder, 54, of Cotton Hill Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate exhaust. Schroeder was stopped at 7:40 p.m. Dec. 15 on Tinkhem Road, Darien, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Nicholas M. Worrells, 24, of 10253 Roosevelt Highway, Lyndonville, is charged with criminal contempt. Worrells was allegedly found hiding under the rear deck of a residence on East Main Street, Le Roy, after police responded to a report of a disturbance. Worrells was allegedly with a person at the residence in violation of a complete stay-away order. Worrells was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Dayton G. Schultz, 52, Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of. 08 or greater and driving left of pavement markings. Schultz was stopped at 10:35 p.m. Friday on Route 262, Elba, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Eric Matthew Kingsley, 24, of Perry Road, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and illegal parking on a highway. Kingsley was arrested by Deputy Jason Saile following a report of a vehicle fire at 4:48 a.m., Saturday, on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

Jeremy John Haynes, 35, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and speeding. Haynes was stopped at 11:27 p.m. Friday on East Main Street, Le Roy, by Deputy Eric Seppala.

Brent Michael Semmier, 36, of Cypress Street, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, speeding (90 in 55 mph zone), alcohol consumption in a motor vehicle and improper right turn. Semmier was stopped at 4:29 p.m. Sunday on Route 19, Le Roy, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

A car accident with injuries is reported at Route 19 and North Road in Le Roy. There are three patients. Traffic police are called to shut down traffic on Route 19 at Parmalee and Route 19 and North Road.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service is responding along with mutual aid from Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 6:01 p.m.: A third ambulance is requested as mutual aid from Caledonia.

UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: Caledonia's response has been cancelled.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: Two patients are being transported to United Memorial Medical Center.

UPDATE 6:33 p.m.: Tow trucks are on location. Two more patients are being taken to the hospital. Mercy EMS is taking one of them to Strong Memorial Hospital.

A one-car rollover accident is reported at 9552 Warsaw Road in the area of Cole Road. There is one patient, who is conscious and alert and bleeding from the head.

Le Roy Fire Department and Le Roy medics are responding. Traffic control is warranted.

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: Le Roy medics are transporting the patient to the hospital in Warsaw. Le Roy fire back in service.

A deer has jumped through a window of a residence at 12 Myrtle Street, Le Roy.

One report said it had been confined to a bedroom.  A later dispatch said, "it's running around the house."

Le Roy Police and State Police responding to the scene.

A Le Roy office inquired to double-check the kind of tag to issue if the residents wish to keep the deer.

UPDATE 8:17 a.m.: An environmental conservation officer is on scene.

John Duyssen says he spent several years studying alternative energy, primarily considering whether to convert his farm to solar or wind.

In the end, the sun won.

"It's more consistant than wind, in my opinion," Duyssen said. "We're putting it in cattle pasture, so there's no wasted space. I don't have a 140-foot tower and cable wires to look at. And it's cool."

In all that study, and all the green agriculture classes and seminars Duyssen attended, he learned a few things about solar power.

With the help of Stein Fabrication in Le Roy, Duyssen installed specially designed platforms for the solar panels that will track the sun both on its daily and seasonal movements. The panels will absorb direct sunlight, which experts told Duyssen will increase the power production of the panels by 30 to 40 percent.

"We'll produce enough power for the farm and the house," Duyssen said. "That's our goal."

The panels and installation are being handled by Liberty Solar out of Buffalo.

The extra, lower-cost power, Duyssen said, should help him increase strawberry and honey production. Honey, he said, takes a lot of electricity for heating and refrigeration.

Asked if he wanted to share how much the solar panels are costing (some of the cost is offset by power company grants), Duyssen said, "Oh, no, because everybody will say I'm out of my mind to do this."

The 10-year break-even point could be accelerated by ongoing increases in fuel cost and/or increased production at the farm.

"Utilities just keep going up and up, gasoline, heating oil, diesel," he said. "Every little bit (of savings) helps. I've jammed the numbers and I think it's going to work."

Previously: Duyssens keep 'the family' in family farming

I was out on Bater Road in Le Roy this morning and passed by this old barn with some old farm equipment parked out front.

Press release:

First as a student and now as a faculty member, Patty Page has been making a difference in the lives of Holy Family School students in Le Roy for the past 23 years. A 1965 graduate of the school located in eastern Genesee County, Page will receive the “Sister Lucille Socciarelli - Father John Sturm Making a Difference Award” on Jan. 26 at the annual dinner that raises funds for needs-based tuition assistance for students attending Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo.

In his letter of nomination, Holy Family School Principal Kevin Robertson wrote, “Patty is a very spiritual person and shares her great sense of responsibility with her students and coworkers every day. Patty’s second-graders leave her classroom at the end of each school year with knowledge of Jesus, His many teachings, the saints and the essential values of being a caring and honest person.”

Father Michael Rock, OdeM, canonical administrator of the school, said that for Page, teaching is a true vocation and call to ministry.

“In everything she does, she is not only an exceptional professional but she has the compassion and gentleness of a true Christian,” Rock said.

The award that Page will receive at the “Making a Difference Dinner – A Celebration of Catholic Schools,” was originated in 2000 by the late Tim Russert of NBC’s “Meet the Press.” The South Buffalo native was inspired by two religious mentors, Sister Lucille Socciarelli, RSM, who taught him at St. Bonaventure School in West Seneca, and Father John Sturm, SJ, dean of discipline at Canisius High School in Buffalo.

Following Russert’s death in 2008, the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo decided to continue the award on Russert’s behalf.  Since the 2009 dinner, Russert’s son, Luke, has introduced the honoree via videotape from the NBC News set in Washington, D.C. The practice will continue at next month’s dinner.

Lead sponsors of the dinner are the William E. & Ann L. Swan Foundation and Restonic – Tom and Jean Comer. Platinum sponsors are the Mazurkiewicz Family and Mrs. Arthur J. Schaefer, Lawley, John and Betsy Sullivan, and Richard and Karen Penfold.

Tribute sponsors are KeyBank, Jake and Katie Schneider, Steve and Kellie Ulrich, M&T Bank, Pratt Collard Advisory Partners, LLC, and The Kenneth L. & Katherine G. Koessler Foundation, Canisius High School, Dietrich Law Firm, Personal Touch Food Service, Phillips Lytle, Franchise Technologies, Catholic Health, St. Mark Parish and School, and Dave and Mary Pietrowski.

For sponsorship and ticket information, contact Susan Burns, coordinator of Special Events, at 716-847-8373 or sburns@buffalodiocese.org.

An accident with injuries has been reported on the 490 near the Bergen exit.

Bergen and Le Roy fire departments along with Le Roy's ambulance dispatched. A Mercy EMS ambulance was in the area and has also been dispatched.

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: This turns out to be the Churchville district. Genesee County units back in service.