RochesterWriters

Friday, 3/13/09, 2:39 p.m. - The RCSD finally 'fessed up about the severance paid to the staffer who was hired, fired, and hired again.

The trial of a Greece police sergeant accused of crashing into another car while drunk and high on drugs and leaving the scene before help arrived wrapped up today, with both sides presenti

In a victory of sorts for homeowner Nicholas Vassello, an Ontario County Court judge ruled Wednesday that the town of Victor had no legal right to order him to tear down a fence he built in his backyard.

But Judge Craig Doran declined to rule on whether the controversial fence should stand.

Now the town will either need to reach a settlement with Vassello, who built the fence at his Camden Hills home last summer, or seek court intervention to have the offending structure removed.

Firefighters believe a fire that heavily damaged a small plaza on Culver Road last Friday, March 6, was ignited by an aerosol spray can of deodorant that exploded in a laundromat dryer.

The Brighton Central School District Board of Education knows Gov. David Paterson’s proposed state budget could mean about $1.2 million — or 12 percent — less in state aid this year, but district officials don’t know how much a federal stimulus package signed by President Obama could offset the loss of state funding.

Adults in Ontario County who allow anyone under 21 to drink alcohol at their homes face new penalties.

The Ontario County Board of Supervisors Thursday adopted its Social Host Law, intended to limit underage drinking. It provides penalties ranging from a $250 fine to up to a year in jail.

“It’s intended to stop the enabling actions of adults who provide minors and people underage with alcoholic beverages,” said David Baker, D-city of Canandaigua.

Nursing home hiring practices lack strong safeguards.

Nursing home hiring practices lack strong safeguards.

A Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputy, who three years ago received a $200,000 settlement from the county to resolve a lawsuit, is now suing the county again, contending sheriff's office officials made his psychological exam public within the department.

John Lightfoot returned to City Council on Thursday, taking a business-as-usual approach and making no formal comment on the criminal case against him.