Le Roy

Batavia's Dominick Mogavero and Le Roy's Mike McMullen have both been named to the All-Greater Rochester Football Team for 2014.

McMullen was listed on the team as a quarterback and utility player. Mogavero, who played running back and linebacker for the Blue Devils, was named as a linebacker.

Greg Mruczek and Anthony Gallo, from Batavia, were named to the second team.

Honorable mentions went to:

CORRECTION: We're not going to change the headline because it would break the link to the story, but Filmore Street is not a subject in the resident's lawsuit over the duplex's constructed in the area.

Village of Le Roy trustees held an emergency meeting Saturday morning and voted to plow a portion of Filmore Street that is privately owned.

The section of street is the subject of a lawsuit filed by residents in Presidential Acres against the village after the village paved the street at a cost of $48,000.

The street is owned by local businessman Pete McQuillen.

There are residential units -- also the subject of a lawsuit -- along the street and trustees said they decided that while the legal wrangling winds through the process, those residents deserve to have their street plowed. 

It's a public safety issue, they said.

"My only reason for making this motion is, all you lawyers, someday you will work this all out, but the people living there should not be caught in the middle," said Trustee Jim Bonacquisti. "Those people who live in that section should expect the street to get plowed, no matter who it is.   This will all get taken care of, maybe years from now, but for somebody who lives there today, we need to take care of them. Whether you think it's an emergency, somebody who lives in the village expects their streets to be plowed."

Attorneys Amy Kendall and Alan Knauf, who are representing the Presidential Acres residents in the lawsuits, attended Saturday's meeting and argued against the the village plowing the street, as did David Boyce, one of the residents who is a party in the suit.

Knauf said he's been involved in cases like this before and NYS law, as well as the state Constitution clearly state that government money cannot be expended on maintaining private property, except in an emergency.

"I deal with this all the time," Knauf said. "In law, we have to make judgement calls, but there's no emergency today. What's the emergency? There is none."

It's the owner of the street, not the village taxpayers who should be paying for the street getting plowed in snow storms, Knauf said.

"If I had ice on my driveway and my wife comes down the steps of the back porch and might slip, I don't think that's an emergency situation where I could cal the fire department to come and clear my driveway," Knauf said. "That's my responsibility as a property owner."

Mayor Greg Rogers said the emergency meeting was called because the board failed Wednesday night to come out of executive session and take a public vote on the decision.  

The action was taken, he said, based on the advice of the village attorney to ensure the safety of residents off Filmore is taken into consideration.

Under terms of the resolution instructing DPW to plow the street, workers must maintain an account of the cost of plowing that section of street.

David E. Stone, 63, of Route 237, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd. Department of Environmental Conservation officers were investigating a report of a person hunting with a rifle in the area of Morganville Road, Stafford, when they came into contact with Stone. Stone was allegedly in possession of a shotgun, loaded rifle and a loaded .357 caliber revolver. Stone is accused of not possessing a valid pistol permit. It's alleged that the revolver was stolen from a residence in the Town of Le Roy sometime within the past three years. Stone also faces possible DEC charges.

Jame Albert Hancock, 45, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in October on a criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, charge. Hancock was held on $1,000 bond.

Kara Ellen Wojkowski, 31, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wojkowski was allegedly involved in a fight with another person in her household.

Jessica L. Ford, 23, of Oak Street, is charged with assault, 3rd. Ford allegedly hit another person causing pain and injury. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Richard C. Smith, 47, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Smith was stopped at 3:21 a.m. Sunday on West Main Street by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Francis George Germuga, 54, of Stringham Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, improper U-turn, moving from lane unsafely and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Photos and info from Charles Hull:

Lauren Hull, from Le Roy, won the National Junior Handler competition at the American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) Dog Show. This event is the highlight of the AKC show year. Participation in the junior handling competition is by invitation. To qualify, junior handlers must have gained 5 wins against competition during the qualifying period, and have a 3.0 average in school. This year's competition had an entry of 126 juniors.

Lauren is an A student at Notre Dame High School in Batavia, and had 10 wins this year. She has been showing dogs since 2007, and this was the 6th year in a row that she has qualified for and attended the AENC. She had to survive 3 rounds of preliminaries to make it to the finals.

Lauren's prizes included a $2,000 scholarship, a pink grooming box (available only to winners of Eukanuba-sponsored events), an engraved silver tray, a jeweled Best Junior pin, and two large rosette ribbons. Her name, and that of her Irish Setter, Kent (RedRidge's Kent Irish Fire), will be engraved on a permanent trophy housed at the AKC library in Raleigh, NC. Lauren also will be representing the United States at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show in England next March.

These are reader submitted photos of a car that struck the Dollar General Store in Le Roy around 10:15 a.m.

Injuries were reportedly minor.

Kenneth Michael Gray, 23, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant out of Le Roy by Batavia PD. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. No details provided on the underlying charge.

Joseph Antwan Fletcher, 18, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Fletcher was allegedly observed by a Batavia police officer in the company of a person protected from contact by Fletcher by a court order.

James P. Colantonio Jr., 26, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and refusal to submit to chemical test. Colantonio was stopped at 2:12 a.m. Sunday on West Main Street, Batavia, by officer Marc Lawrence.

Daniel S. Kilner, 46, of Redfield Parkway, Batavia, was arrested for an alleged violation of probation. Kilner was located at his residence by the Probation Department and transported to BPD headquarters where he was arrested. Kilner was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Gurpreet Singh Malhi, 41, of Charit Way, Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Malhi was stopped at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday on Lake Road, Le Roy, by deputy Matthew Fleming.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported on North Road, Le Roy, near the county line.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 5:59 a.m.: A second ambulance from Caledonia is requested to the scene at 8673 North Road.

UPDATE 6:38 a.m.: North Road being shut down so the vehicles can be moved.

A two-car accident is reported at mile marker 381.5 on the westbound Thruway. A person is complaining of some neck and head pain. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding and are told to use caution upon approach because several vehicles are off the roadway in the area. One engine from Stafford is asked to stand by in Le Roy's fire hall.

A vehicle has struck a pole and the pole is down along with wires at 6867 East Bethany-Le Roy Road. Unknown injuries, but the drive is out of the vehicle. Le Roy fire and ambulance responding.

A car has reportedly become stuck under a truck at West Main Street and Clay Street, Village of Le Roy.

Minor injuries are reported.

Le Roy fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 9:41 a.m.: The patient was a sign-off.

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

Photos submitted by Jeff Scott.

To purchase prints, click here.

The failure to publish a public notice prior to a September 2013 Le Roy Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on whether Frost Ridge Campground was in violation of zoning laws deprived neighbors of an opportunity to meaningfully participate in the board's decision, Judge Robert C. Noonan wrote in a ruling issued Friday.

The ruling was in response to a motion by the defendants, Greg and David Luetticke-Archbell, to have a lawsuit thrown out that challenges their ability to host live music concerts at the campground.

"The ZEO (Zoning Enforcement Officer)/ZBA's lack of compliance with the notice requirements was so grievous that no statute of limitations bars this action," Noonan wrote in the decision.

Noonan's ruling means that the lawsuits against Frost Ridge will proceed to trial.

The Luetticke-Archbells are fighting two lawsuits over live music at their natural amphitheater, and allegations that the campground was expanded in violation of zoning codes.

One lawsuit was filed by David and Marney Cleere and Scott and Betsy Collins, the other by the Town of Le Roy.

To date, the case has been a series of motions and hearings, but it appears that Noonan's ruling on this motion clears the way for trial.

After a pre-season disrupted by a championship run by the football team, three days of practice lost to snowy weather and Thanksgiving, Le Roy's basketball team is still working out some kinks.

A rebuilding team of Warsaw Tigers got a taste Friday night of what a kinkless Oatka Knights might look like.

The Knights pressured on defense, forced turnovers and converted fast breaks into buckets to put 64 points on the board compared to 37 for the Tigers.

The win comes after a season opening 62-47 loss to York.

"Today we played with more energy, more flow to what we want to do," said Le Roy's Head Coach Rick Rapone. "In another week or two, we'll be right where we should be. We'll be fine."

Kody Lamkin had his second double-double in two games with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Egeling had 10 points and 10 rebounds

"Those are the guys we would expect to pretty much do it for us every game," Rapone said.

Dylan Laney sparked the offense early, scoring 10 points for the game.

Mike McMullen was playing on a sore ankle, but Rapone praised his strong performance as the team's floor leader. 

Coming off an 0-18 season, the Tigers are now coached by Steve Baker. Baker has seven years experience coaching basketball. The first six with modifieds and JV. He was Warsaw's boys varsity head coach five years ago, then he became a father and took time off from coaching. He agreed to take the position again this season after he and his wife moved closer to the school.

In Le Roy, the Tigers got a taste of the kind of fast-paced, high-pressure defense and transition offense Baker would like to instill in the Warsaw scheme.

"Instead of sitting in a half-court offense, I'd really like to start pushing the floor," Baker said. "That's a big thing to me."

His team his learning, he said. Last night, when they went man-to-man for part of the second half, they held Le Roy to just eight points. That was a good sign, Baker said.

The goal is to improve every game, every practice and that's happening, he said.

"I notice improvement every day," Baker said. "I'm getting compliments from the other coaches and officials. The kids are playing a lot better."

To purchase prints, click here.

Le Roy resident Bob Boyce was recognized at a luncheon Friday afternoon for his years of dedicated volunteer work in the community by the UMMC Foundation and St. Jerome's Foundation with the 30th Annual Health and Humanitarian Award.

For more than 26 years Mr. Boyce has devoted his time and talent to improving the quality of volunteer ambulance service for the people of Le Roy. He is currently president of the Le Roy Ambulance Service, a position he has held for the past 12 years. Under his leadership Le Roy Volunteer Ambulance grew to Le Roy Ambulance Service, assuring availability of both trained personnel and volunteers needed to provide ambulance service to residents.

He's served on UMMC Foundation Board of Directors, and the former Genesee Memorial Hospital Group Board of Directors.

In one of several letters nominating Mr. Boyce, Marie Scofield noted his volunteer efforts have not been limited to health-related organizations, but have included education. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Genesee Community College after serving on GCC Foundation Board of Directors for nine years, including two years as president. He has been active with the Le Roy Rotary Club, helping raise money for scholarships benefitting Le Roy students.  

Boyce was also active in youth sports in Le Roy for many years.

For more pictures from the event, click here.

For the second year, the Christmas Crew was erecting the annual Christmas tree at the corner of Main and Lake streets in the Village of Le Roy (the former Wiss Hotel lot).

Doing the work today were Andrew Lathan, Ed McDonald and Michael Glazier.

Lathan Tree Service donated the 30-foot tree a year ago.

The tree will be lit this year in part with the help of donations from National Grid (new utility pole) and Humphrey Electric (new electric installation).

There will be a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., Saturday, at the close of Winterfest.

Michael Glazier

A group of Le Roy residents who once tried to save the Wiss Hotel with a unique community-based investment structure have found a new target for their revitalization efforts: 24 Main Street.

Le Roy New York, LLC, is looking to raise the funds necessary to refurbish the now vacant mixed-use building, which was most recently Java's Coffee Shop.

"Our goal is to create three beautiful residential apartments on the second and third floors and create a vibrant commercial establishment on the ground floor," said Bob Fussell, one of the organizers.

The group needs to raise $250,000, and already has $177,000 toward that goal, mostly from contractors who are contributing labor, equipment and expertise as their primary investment.

A minimum investment in the project is $1,500.

A similar structure for community investment in a revitalization project, led by Rick Hauser, has been used in Perry to help transform that community's downtown.

Hauser, now the mayor of Perry, was a consultant to the group on the Wiss Hotel proposal, which eventually fell short of the group's goal to buy the building and restore it rather than see it demolished.

For more information, visit 24mainleroy.org

The building will be open for tours during Winterfest this Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A fully involved house fire is reported 8695 Oatka Trail Road, Le Roy.

That's right at the county line.

Le Roy fire with Bergen, Pavilion and Stafford dispatched, along with mutual aid from Livingstone County companies.

UPDATE 5 a.m.: Two family dogs barked and awoke the residents to the fire, according to a deputy on scene. All residents were able to get out of the house safely, along with the dogs, though a family cat was still missing. The house is a total loss. The fire spread quickly. The valves of two propane tanks blew off, sending flames shooting high into the air. Firefighters executed an exterior attack on the outside of the structure, which was already fully involved by the time the first trucks were on scene, said First Assistant Chief Dale Ehrhart. Assisting Le Roy fire were Caledonia, Mumford, Bergen, Byron, Pavilion, Stafford, Churchville and Scottsville. County records list the property owner as Maria  Hunter. The early morning temperature at the time the volunteers were out fighting this fire was 24 degrees.

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: The Sheriff's Office reports that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it appears to have started "at a wood burning fireplace insert."  There were three people living in the residence and all escaped unharmed. They are being assisted by the Red Cross.

UPDATE: Video submitted by a reader:

These are familiar names: Kody Lamkin, Nick Egeling, Tom Kelso and Mike McMullen.

To anybody who followed Le Roy football during the Oatkan Knights' sectional title season, Lamkin, Egeling and Kelso and McMullen are no strangers.

And those four athletes will be important cogs in the up tempo, pressure defense, pressure offense Le Roy's second-year basketball Coach Rick Rapone plans to run.

"Defensively, we're always strong," Rapone said. "We have strong, physical, very athletic kids. Defense has never been an issue for us. We're challenged on offense a little bit, but defensively, we're in pretty good shape."

Just as he did for the football team, Lamkin anchors the defense.

"He's our defensive stopper," Rapone said. "He covers the middle. He's strong, physical and our number-one rebounder last year and our third leading scorer."

Egling is the team's most gifted basketball player, Rapone said.

Kelso is a "defensive juggernaut," according to the coach. 

"He sets the pace for our transition and he covers the other team's best player all the time."

And the field general for football is also is also the captain of the court: Mike McMullen, the point guard.

"He's the key to everything we do. Last year he was predominately a pass-first guy, but we're going to need him to score some points this year. Nobody worked harder than he did in the off season on his shots and we like what we see so far."

At a practice a few days ago, Rapone was putting his team through its paces. Every drill is about movement and speed. The key to Knights' success, Rapone said, is preventing baskets and forcing errors.

"It starts with the defense. We press hard, man-to-man, turn the other team's mistakes into opportunities going the other way."

A successful off season has boosted his team's confidence, he said.

"They know they've improved as players and as a team. I'm excited that they're excited that they've seen some improvement."

There are some kids coming up the ranks as well, who Rapone thinks can contribute this year. Tom Dunn is up from JV and Rapone likes what he sees in sophomores Ryan Boyce and Josh Lowery.

"A sneaky good kid is Dave Englerth. He's the most improved in the off season."

All of this adds up, Rapone thinks, to a run at some titles.

"We're excited about our schedule. We play Avon twice. We think we've grown enough this year to contend for our division title, and that's a team we're going to have to beat."

There's also the cross-county battle of the brothers this year when Le Roy travels to Batavia to play the Mike Rapone-coached Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

"We're very excited about going up there and taking on their 61-game home winning streak. The kids are excited."

Playing against his brother's team, he said, isn't a big deal, though it might lead to some bragging rights at the family Christmas dinner.

"It's a great opportunity for our kids. You've been there. You know the environment you get when you play there, so our kids get the opportunity to go in there and compete. It's going to be great. One thing you know, you've watched these kids play football as well, the one thing they do is compete. They play hard and they compete."

That game is Saturday Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Le Roy opens the season at home against York, 7 p.m., Wednesday.