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Car into building at Dollar General in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car has driven into the building at the Dollar General, 3 West Ave., Le Roy.

An injury is possible.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance responding.

UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: No injuries.

Law and Order: Le Roy man with parole warrant who ran from cops, tracked to wooded area, then jailed

By Billie Owens

Jeremy Lyons, 32, of Lake Street, Le Roy, was taken custody as a result of an outstanding parole warrant on July 19 by members the Le Roy Police Department. In early afternoon of July 19th the Le Roy Police Department received an anonymous tip that Lyons had been seen hanging around outside his residence on Lake Street. When police arrived on location, a subject matching Lyons' description was seen running into the apartment building. Police met with an uncooperative tenant who denied Lyons being in the residence. After a brief investigation, it was believed that Lyons jumped out of a second-story window of the residence in an attempt to flee the police. Members of the Le Roy Police Department with assistance from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit as well as members of the New York State Police were able to track and locate Lyons hiding in a wooded area off of Lent Avenue in the Village of Le Roy. Lyons was taken into custody at that time without incident. He was then turned over to the Genesee County Jail to await further action by New York State Parole. The Le Roy Police Department would like to thank the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and New York State Police for assisting with taking Lyons into custody.

Michelle Richmond, 48, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: felony DWI -- previous conviction within 10 years; operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent of more; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree; driving with an open container of alcohol; and having unauthorized tinted windows -- 44 percent (visibility). Richmond was issued an appearance ticket for City of Batavia Court and is to appear there Sept. 6. The incident location was Central Avenue at 9:41 p.m. on July 19. The case was handled by Genesee Coumty Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Charles G.T. Williams AKA "Gusto," 38, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, a Class C felony, and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, a Class D felony. On Wednesday, July 19, GC Local Drug Enforcement Task Force members observed Williams driving a vehicle in the City of Batavia while there was an active bench warrant out for him. He was stopped on Ellicott Street in the city and arrested. At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly in possession of a handgun and a quantity of powder cocaine and crack cocaine. He was jailed on the outstanding warrant and was due to be arraigned today on the new charges.

Window frame falls at Creekside Inn, Le Roy, slightly injuring two employees

By Billie Owens

The frame of a window fell onto two employees at the Creekside Inn on Main Street in Le Roy, causing minor injuries. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding. Le Roy police are on scene.

UPDATE 4:18 p.m.: The patients are conscious and alert.

UPDATE 4:38 p.m.: There was no glass involved. It was just a frame. The impact caused minor injuries. First responders have cleared the scene. The business is open.

Law and Order: Checkpoint nabs driver with 25 suspensions

By Howard B. Owens

Dwayne Bartholemau Spivey, 40, of Doran Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. At 10:45 a.m. Sunday on Lake Street Road, Le Roy, Le Roy PD, State Police and the Sheriff's Office were conducting a joint traffic checkpoint. Officers reported observing a vehicle driven by Spivey stop prior to the checkpoint, with Spivey exiting the driver's side and changing seats with the passenger, making the passenger the driver when the vehicle arrived at the checkpoint. Upon investigation by Deputy Chad Cummings and Deputy Chris Erion, Spivey was found to have 25 suspensions over the course of two decades. The other occupant, the passenger who became the driver, had a valid license. Spivey was jailed without bail.

Jesse Dean Parsons, 33, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with promoting prison contraband. Parsons is accused of entering the Genesee County Jail on an unrelated charge with a known banned item.

This year's Oatka Fest Duck Derby will be a bit different

By Howard B. Owens

High, fast waters of the Oatka Creek are forcing organizers to run the annual Duck Derby a little differently this year.

Instead of floating the rubber duckies across the water, from the west bank to the east bank, volunteers will blow the ducks down the road with leaf blowers.

The Duck Derby, a fundraiser for both the Oatka Festival and a local charity, will take place at 5 p.m.

Driver charged with DWI following accident on Kenney Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A 23-year-old Le Roy man was charged with DWI after a report last night that a car he was driving went off the roadway on Kenney Road, into a swamp and struck a tree.

Kodey Richard Mills, of Myrtle Street, is also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and driving without insurance.

The accident was reported at 10:02 p.m.

Mills was released on an appearance ticket.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Stack.

Photos: Creekside Inn is open

By Howard B. Owens

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It's been years of effort and expense for Bill Farmer, but nearly a decade after he acquired the Creekside Inn, after a fire destroyed most of the building, the tavern that is part of so many local memories, is once again welcoming customers.

The 200-year-old building has been completely refurbished from top to bottom and is gorgeous. Farmer has hired a top-notch staff and the Creekside is set to become a local favorite, but a regional dining destination.  

Tavern dining on the second floor and the patio bar are open. The third-floor fine dining won't open for a few weeks yet.

This weekend, during Oatka Fest, the Creekside is not accepting reservations. It is first-come, first-served.

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Le Roy restaurant owner thinks he hit on right time, name, location and recipes

By Howard B. Owens

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Jim Frascati started working on his plans to open an Italian restaurant somewhere nearly two years ago, but the big hang up was finding the right location.

He visited the Village of Le Roy, but the location he looked at didn't seem quite suitable to him. He missed the vacant, 110-year-old building at 49 Main St.

At an event one day, he met a Le Roy resident who asked him if he had looked at the former Pontillo's Pizzeria building.

He hadn't, so he did.

"When I came to see it, once I stepped inside the building, I fell in love with it," Frascati said, a resident of Monroe County. "Even though the condition of the building wasn't great, the outside was very attractive. I think it's one of the best looking buildings downtown."

In the interior, he was taken by the exposed brick on the eastside wall and the big arched window at the front of the building.

That's when he knew for sure he was going to have his own restaurant, he said.

Finding the right name for the business wasn't a straightforward journey, either.

Frascati was born in Sicily, raised by a Sicilian mother. His family immigrated, making an eight-day boat journey, when he was 12 years old. 

He knew his ristorante would have a fired brick oven (really, the way to cook pizza, as far as he's concerned), and feature his mother's homemade Sicilian recipes, so he wanted a name that spoke to his Sicilian roots.

When his father was a young man, he would walk to work with a bag with his lunch in it hanging from a stick, so his nickname became "la caffa." A la caffa is a kind of purse or satchel that was originally designed to hang on donkeys for transporting small items.

So, Frascati planned to use "la caffa" as his business name, but his daughter said "No, dad, that's a stupid name. Nobody will know what it means."

He tried to come up with other names, but none ever seemed quite right. Then one day he was talking with a friend about plans they were making. The friend laid out the summary of the plans and ended his sentence with, "capiche?" Frascati replied almost in rote, "capiche."

Then it struck him. When he was a boy, whenever he would do something bad ("I wasn't always a perfect kid," he said), his mother would scold him, often with threats with words along the lines of, "if you do that again, I'm going to break your legs," and end the threat with, "capiche?"

Frascati told his friend, "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"For what?"

"You just gave me the name of my restaurant."

Capish! Brick Oven Pizza Ristorante, 49 Main St., Le Roy, has been open for about three months now, long enough for Frascati to see if customers return.

"We are starting to see some of the same faces over and over," Frascati said. "We're glad to see them come back. It's a nice testament to our food that they do come back."

Besides pizza, the restaurant has a full bar and a menu filled with a variety of Italian dishes.

Le Roy is starting to become a nice destination village for people who like to eat at good restaurants and Frascati is glad to be part of that mix. He thinks his brick oven offers people throughout the region something different because there is no other brick oven pizzeria close to the area.

Frascati is excited about talk of revitalization along the waterfront of Oatka Creek. That will only help bring people in from Rochester and Buffalo.

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On the mantle above the bar, a model of the ship Jim Frascati and his family spent eight days on when they immigrated to the United States.

Minor injury accident reported on Lake Street Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

An accident, believed to be with minor injuries, is reported in the area of 8703 Lake Street Road, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance responding.

Traffic is being shut down at West Bergen Road.

Grand Jury indicts man on five counts related to alleged DWI on Route 19 in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Evan M. Wilson is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class A felony. It is alleged that on May 6 in the Town of Le Roy that Wilson drove a 2006 Toyota on Route 19 while knowing, or having reason to know, that he driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities. He allegedly had three separate suspensions imposed on at least three separate dates for failure to answer, appear or pay a fine. In addition, Wilson is accused of driving on May 6 while under the influence of alcohol or a drug. In count two, the defendant is accused of the crime of DWI, as a misdemeanor. In count three, he is accused of the offense of unlawful possession of marijuana on the same date. In count four, Wilson is accused of speeding, a traffic offense, for driving in excess of 55 mph. In count five, Wilson is accused of the offense of refusing to submit to a breath test on that date.

Farmers Market Coupon booklets available for income-eligible adults 60 and older

By Billie Owens

Farmers Market Coupons will be distributed at the Genesee County Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St. in Batavia, on:

Wednesday, July 12th – 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Friday, July 14th – 1-4 p.m.

Tuesday, July 25th — 10 a.m - 12 p.m.

Thursday, July 27th – 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Genesee County Office for the Aging also plans to distribute coupons at the Le Roy Farmer’s Market* on Saturday July 8th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Booklets are available to adults age 60 years and older who are income-eligible. Proof of age identification must be provided.

Income guidelines are as follows: household of one $1,860 per month; household of two $2,504 per month; and, household of three $3,149 per month.

Maureen Estabrooks, Office for the Aging’s coordinator for the program, noted that, “It still remains, that anyone 60 or older in a household may receive a coupon booklet as long as they are income eligible. This means that in a qualifying household, multiple individuals may receive booklets. This program is a wonderful way to help older adults with limited income to purchase healthy fresh produce from our local farmers.”

Questions may be directed to the Genesee County Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611.

*A distribution date for the the coupons at the Downtown Batavia Public Market has not yet been determined.

Le Roy Fire handling consecutive calls in the village

By Howard B. Owens

Volunteer firefighters from the Le Roy Fire Department are dealing with a hydraulic fluid spill on Wolcott Street and lines arcing at No Finer Diner on Main Street.

The fluid spill has required a partial closure of Wolcott Street. 

The lines arcing are attached to the building.

Caledonia fire has been requested to provide a fill-in at the Le Roy Fire Hall.

Three-car collision reported in Village of Le Roy, unknown injuries

By Billie Owens

An accident involving three vehicle is reported at 59 Main St. in Le Roy. Unknown injuries. Le Roy fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: A first responder requests one bag of absorbent material for spilled fluids and says to can be brought in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: Make that two bags of Speedy Dry.

UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service. No injuries reported.

Law and Order: Couple in Le Roy face charges following domestic incident

By Howard B. Owens

Bryan D. Bates Jr., 37, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and Andrea Gray, 39, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 3rd. The charges stem from a domestic disturbance July 1 at a residence on Lake Street, Le Roy. Bates was allegedly violating a stay away order issued out of Batavia City Court. He was jailed in lieu of an unspecified amount of bail. Gray allegedly falsely reported to a neighbor that Bates had committed suicide, causing the neighbor to call 9-1-1. Gray was also jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Kevin William Dart, 59, of Transit Road, Elba, is charged with unlawfully dealing with a child. Dart allegedly allowed people under age 21 to consume alcohol during a party at his house.

Todd Alan Kendall, 54, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Kendall allegedly struck another person in an incident reported at 5:56 a.m. Monday at a location on Main Road, Stafford.

Susan Ann Minardo, 28, of Shelby Road, Kings Mountain, N.C., was arrested as a fugitive from justice. During an investigation by Deputy Chad Cummings of a call at the TA Travel Center in Pembroke, Minardo was located and identified as the subject of a warrant out of Pennsylvania. Minardo was jailed without bail.

Christopher James Draper, 46, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Draper allegedly entered Rite Aid on West Main Street Road, Batavia, after being previously advised he was not allowed on the property.

Police looking for car that hit girl on bike in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A girl riding her bike on Main Street in Le Roy was struck by a hit-and-run driver at about 3:20 p.m. and police are asking for help in locating the suspect vehicle.

The vehicle may be a Lincoln Continental, or similar sedan, from the early to mid-1990s. It was blue or green and was driven by an older male, possibly in his 60s, with gray hair.

The girl had a minor injury to her foot and ankle but did not require transport to a hospital.

To share information to assist in the investigation, contact Sgt. Mike Hare by calling (585) 345-6350.

(Initial Post)

Pedestrian hit in front of Post Office in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly hit a pedestrian in front of the Post Office at 2 Main St., Le Roy.

Injuries are reported.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance responding.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: Law enforcement on location and reports fire and ambulance can respond non-emergency. A chief on scene requests Le Roy Fire equipment to remain in quarters.

'Torrential rains' expected in Southern Genesee County within the hour

By Billie Owens

A Special Weather Statement was issued a few minutes ago by the National Weather Service stating: "An area of strong thunderstorms will bring torrential rains to Northern Wyoming and Southern Genesee counties. 

"Strong thunderstorms were clustered near Attica, or eight miles south of Batavia, moving east at 15 mph.

"These storms will bring very heavy rainfall to Attica and nearby locations with more than an inch of rain possible in an hour or less. Locations impacted include... Darien Lakes State Park, Le Roy, Bennington, Attica, Pavilion, Stafford, Covington, Alexander, Wyoming and East Bethany. This includes Interstate 90 near exit 47. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways."

These conditions are expected until 2 p.m.

Law and Order: State Street man charged with crimes after allegedly threatening people with knives on Willow Street

By Billie Owens

Derrick M. Williams, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree menacing; endangering the welfare of a child; and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Williams was arrested following an incident at 4:08 p.m. on June 21 at 7 Willow St., Batavia, wherein he allegedly threatened multiple people with knives. He was jailed without bail and was due in City Court on June 22. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Elizabeth A. Denise, 36, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. On June 25, Batavia police responded to Hutchins Street for a possible overdose. They found that Denise had allegedly gone unconscious while using an unknown drug and while being the sole caregiver to an 8-month-old infant. She was transported to UMMC and issued an appearance ticket for the charge. She is due in City Court on July 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Douglas G. Bryant Jr., 46, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment. On June 19, Bryant was arrested after allegedlt yelling and swearing outside his residence at 10:05 p.m. on June 19 and he allegedly threatened police. He was jailed on $500 cash or bond and was due back in City Court on June 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Kyle J. Burdick, 28, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic needle and third-degree unlicensed operation. Burdick was arrested on the charges after an investigation into a traffic complaint which occurred at 6:17 p.m. on June 24 at 600 Ellicott St. in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on July 11, and was issued a traffic citation returnable to City Court on July 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Thomas A. Carson, 41, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and second-degree burglary of a dwelling. Carson was arrested after an investigation into a domestic incident which occurred at 9:54 p.m. on June 24 on Wood Street. He was jailed without bail and was due in City Court on Monday (June 26). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Mitchell Cowen.

Pamela J. Morris, 38, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Morris was arrested following an investigation into a complaint alleging that she sent Facebook messages on June 21 to a protected party in violation of a court order. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court on July 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Robert D. Griffin Sr., 38, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. On June 21, Batavia police responded to a Manhattan Avenue residence for a domestic incident and the violation of an order of protection. Upon the patrols' arrival, Griffin Sr. had left the area. While patrols were on scene, he returned and was arrested. He was jailed on $5,000 bail or bond. He was due in City Court on June 22. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Robert D. Griffin Sr., 38, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested following an investigation into an incident wherein he allegedly struck a person and broke some property at 9:36 p.m. on June 20 on Manhattan Avenue, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court on June 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Stephanie Marie Wentworth, 31, of Augusta Street, Rochester, is charged with third-degree menacing and endangering the welfare of child less than 17. Wentworth turned herself in on a warrant charging her with these crimes, which stem from a domestic incident that occurred at 9 a.m. on June 18 at the Bob Evans restaurant on Oak Street in Batavia. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison, assisted by Felicia DeGroot.

Brandon J. March, 32, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and second-degree burglary -- illegal entry of a dwelling. He was arrested following an incident wherein he allegedly entered a residence on Cone Street in Batavia occupied by an individual who had an order of protection against him. He was due in City Court on June 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Jacy William Lennon, 41, of Rohr Street, Rochester, is accused of failure to appear in court. He was arrested on June 24 on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear for a scheduled court date related to an unspecified incident which occurred on Aug. 14, 2015. He was jailed on $2,000 cash or $4,000 bond and was due in court Monday (June 26). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

William Allen Andrews III, 37, of Lake Street, Le Roy, was arrested at Genesee Justice on West Main Street, Batavia, at 10:05 a.m. on June 20 after allegedly failing to comply with the conditions of his being released from custody. He was jailed on $5,000 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison, assisted by Officer Jamie Givens.

Law and Order: Small cache of cocaine found during traffic stop in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Bailey A. Kennedy, 20, of 85 Wolcott St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, unlawful possession of marijuana, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Bailey was stopped by Le Roy PD at 1:42 a.m. Sunday for an alleged traffic violation on Myrtle Street. During the stop, Kennedy was allegedly found in possession of 13 small baggies of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Kennedy was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Timothy Fredrick Hughes, 55, of Burbank Drive, Orchard Park, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, speeding, failure to signal, and unsafe passing. Hughes was stopped at 11 p.m. Sunday on Bennet Road, Darien, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Nicholas Ryan Dorson, 30, of Reed Road, Olean, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Dorson is accused of driving drunk in the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center at 6:32 p.m. Sunday prior to the Zac Brown concert, when Dorson's vehicle struck another vehicle. Dorson allegedly registered a BAC of .13 percent.  The incident was investigated by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Brian J. Hart, 33, of Lakeshore Road, Kent, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, and moved from lane unsafely. Hart was arrested after an investigation into a report of a vehicle off the roadway on Richley Road at 12:57 a.m. today by Deputy Howard Wilson.

Justin C. Holtfoth, 43, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Holtfoth was stopped at 6:25 p.m. Friday on Lewiston Road, Alabama, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Keith Adam Lowery, 47, of Clipnock Road, Bethany, is charged with assault, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Lowery is accused of kicking another person, breaking one of her ribs. He also allegedly through the victim's phone out of the trailer window when she wanted to call 9-1-1. Lowery was jailed without bail.

Carlene Victoria Santiago, 28, of Cherry Street, Batavia, is charged with falsifying business records, 1st, and petit larceny. Santiago is accused of making fraudulent gift cards at Walmart and using them at the store.

Timothy Micheal Weinstein, 45, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Weinstein allegedly violated at stay away order by sending text messages to the protected party. He was jailed on $7,500 bail or $15,000 bond.

Tyler William Reeves, 19, of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with petit larceny. Reeves allegedly stole property while at a residence in Pembroke. He is accused of stealing two camera lenses and a stereo with a total value of $475. He was jailed on $750 bail.

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