Le Roy

Saturday, on the gleaming polished hardwood of Notre Dame High School, it was the first time brothers Mike and Rick Rapone faced off as head coaches.

It was the first time in more than a half-dozen years Notre Dame and Le Roy met in a regular season basketball game.

It turned out that it was the first time this season that the Oatkan Knights scored at least 70 points.

The offensives' explosion also sent the Fighting Irish to their first home defeat in 62 games.

"We struggled all year," said Rick Rapone, head coach of the now 2-5 Knights. "We haven't made our shots. We had a tough transition from football to basketball. Those kids had a great year. Eleven of my 13 kids are football players. We struggled to shoot, struggled to shoot, struggled to shoot. Tonight, we couldn't miss."

Le Roy was 31-66 from the floor (47 percent) and 10-19 from beyond the arch (52) percent and five players hit double figures in scoring.

Nick Egeling 15, Kody Lamkin 13,Tom Kelso and Ryan Boyce, 11 each and Tom Dunn, 10. Dylan Laney was a point shy of hitting the decade mark.

Mike McMullen scored only five points, but helped lead his team on the court and contributed 10 rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and three blocked shots.

"I told the kids before, our record was not an indicator of the kind of basketball team we are and we probably just beat the top basketball program, them and Batavia High, in this area, on their court," Rick Rapone said. "They had a 61-game home winning streak that we just snapped. It's great for the boys."

The Irish drop to 4-2 on the 78-59 loss.

"The team that wanted it more won," Notre Dame's Mike Rapone said. "We didn't show up with the attitude it takes to win a game like this. I've been warning them all week that records don't mean anything when you play a game like this. Le Roy showed up to play and we didn't."

Josh Johnson had 16 points and Tyler Prospero had 12. Caleb Nellis and C.J. Suozzi each had eight.

Mike Rapone said the two teams used to meet every year, but a Le Roy head coach a few years ago stopped scheduled games with Notre Dame, even though the home-and-home series each year was always a big draw.

Saturday, even the JV game (Notre Dame won 45-36) filled the bleachers and the crowd jammed onto the stage and spilled out into the hallway of the gym. 

Fans of both teams were boisterous and the arena was filled with a championship-game feel.

As for the contest of brothers, both coaches downplayed the significance of the matchup. They embraced before the game and then got down to business.

The scoring outburst by the Knights might signal a turnaround for Le Roy's season, Mike Rapone noted. They made it hard for the Irish to get back in the game, once they fell behind in the second quarter.

"They hit a lot of big shots and they got the lead," Mike Rapone said. "When we made a run at them, they hit the shots they needed."

Rick Rapone said his boys were obviously happy with the win and he was clearly proud of their effort.

"They are excited and they should be," Rick Rapone said. "They beat a hall of fame coach, a top-notch program, I think the winningest program in Section V, on their court. Come on, hall of fame coach, 61-game winning streak, their court, top program, the kids deserve it all. They did fantastic."

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A driver involved in a three-vehicle crash on East Main Street in the Village of Le Roy yesterday morning is in guarded condition at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Charles R. Lowe, of Le Roy, was flown to Strong by Mercy Flight following the 9 a.m. accident at the intersection of Wolcott Street.

A driver in another vehicle, Donald Worthington, of Pavilion, was treated at UMMC for a cut on his head and released.

The third driver, Marrinna Ryan, of Le Roy, was treated and released at the scene for facial pain.

Lowe's vehicle was westbound on East Main when it drifted into the left-turn lane at Wolcott and hit the rear of Worthington's truck, which then struck the rear of Ryan's minivan.

Lowe reportedly told the first responding police officer that he may have fallen asleep.

The Sheriff Office Crash Management Team is assisting Le Roy PD in the ongoing investigation.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at East Main Street and Church Street, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

Dispatchers are trying confirm whether there is entrapment.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.: Route 5 being shut down at North Street and Mill Street.

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: Mercy Flight put on standby.

UPDATE 9:17 a.m.: We've not heard Mercy Flight dispatched, but a ground contact is being established for a landing zone.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: This was a three-vehicle accident. A minivan and a pickup truck were in the turn lane on East Main Street, poised to turn south onto Wolcott, when the pickup truck was struck from behind by a westbound a black Chevy SUV. The truck was pushed into the mini-van. The driver of the SUV told officer Daryl Robb that he apparently fell asleep. A witness reportedly estimated his speed at 50 mph. The SUV driver was taken by Mercy Flight to an area hospital with possible serious injuries. One other driver was taken by ground ambulance to an area hospital and the third driver was a sign-off with only a minor facial cut. There were no passengers in any of the vehicles. The Crash Management Team for the Sheriff's Office is on scene conducting a thorough investigation.

Mary Ann McClain, 53, of North Main Street, Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. McClain allegedly pushed a chair into another person repeatedly "causing annoyance and alarm." The call came in at 7 p.m. Monday on Judge Road, Alabama. 

Derek G. Thomas, 38, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Thomas is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General on Sunday. Also arrested was Melinda S. Blackshear, 49, of Ross Street, Batavia. Blackshear was charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th.

Rashad N. El-Amin, 33, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. El-Amin was arrested following an investigation at 3:18 a.m. Monday into a reported suspicious condition at an apartment on South Main Street, Batavia.

Matthew M. Maniace, 32, of Birchwood Drive, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and petit larceny. Maniace allegedly bent back the thumb of another person and took the phone of that person before leaving a residence on Birchwood Drive, Batavia, at 12:19 p.m. on Sunday. Maniace was also arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, charge and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Lauren M. Hunter, 24, of Oatka Trail, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Hunter was arrested following an investigation into an unrelated complaint at 2:43 a.m. Sunday on Summit Street, Batavia.

Firefighters from Le Roy and other volunteer fire companies along with local law enforcement are on scene at a residence on West Bergen Road, Le Roy, to search for a missing person. 

The scene is closed to all but search personnel. 

Stafford, Bergen and Pavilion have been dispatched. 

Gators from Alexander and Caledonia requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: The subject was located about 15 minutes ago. The elderly male, an Alzheimer's patient, was found by a neighbor dressed in his pajamas huddled and shivering on the floorboard of the neighbor's car. The neighbor was leaving for work. The search started around 12:30 a.m. with a K-9 unit after relatives reported the man missing. He had last been seen sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight. Later in the morning, Le Roy fire was called in, with mutual aid from at least eight other departments, according to Chief Tom Wood. The man was transported to UMMC for evaluation but other than feeling cold, he appeared to be in good condition, Woods said. The outcome could have been a lot different in harsher winter conditions, Woods noted.

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.

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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."

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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