ALBION – Bail has been set for a man facing manslaughter after his passenger died Tuesday following a high-speed chase that ended when the driver plunged a U-Haul truck into the Erie Canal.

Ryan S. Armstrong

Ryan S. Armstrong, 43, of Brockport has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after his passenger drowned.

Armstrong has a prior felony record. He was being held in the Orleans County Jail pending a bail application hearing this morning.

Judge Sanford Church set bail at $100,000 cash, $200,000 insurance bond or $500,000 partially secured bond at 10 percent. Those were at the levels requested by the District Attorney’s Office.

Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard was represented by first assistant DA Daniel Punch while Armstrong was represented by Public Defender Joanne Best.

Armstrong is next to appear in Murray Town Court on Sept. 24.

He is accused of stealing items from the Walgreens in Brockport at about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. He and his passenger were putting merchandise in a U-Haul truck when law enforcement were called.

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies and Brockport police officers attempted to stop the vehicle once it was on the move but Armstrong refused, leading law enforcement on a pursuit throughout the west side of Monroe County and into Orleans County.

Armstrong eventually drove onto the Erie Canal path in the Town of Murray. The pursuit ultimately ended when he suddenly veered the vehicle into the canal, just east of Bennetts Corners Road.

Monroe deputies observed Armstrong exit the vehicle and swim to the opposite side, where he exited the canal and fled on foot. The passenger also exited the vehicle in an attempt flee. Deputies could see he was struggling to swim and jumped into the canal to rescue the passenger, losing sight of him when he went under in the murky water, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The MCSO Underwater Search and Recovery Team worked with fire companies and the Orleans County Sheriff’s marine patrol to search the canal for the passenger. Following a thorough search of the canal, they were able to recover the male, who had drown.

Armstrong faces the manslaughter charge due his “reckless actions” that led to the death of the passenger, whose name hasn’t been released.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office provides more details on pursuit that ended in Erie Canal in Murray

Photo from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office: A U-Haul truck is pulled from the Erie Canal in Murray on Wednesday.

Press Release, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

BROCKPORT/MURRAY – On Sept. 2 at 6:31 p.m., Brockport Police officers responded to the Walgreens on Lake Road for two males who were stealing merchandise.

Store employees provided a description of the males who were last seen leaving in a U-Haul truck, traveling north on Lake Road. Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies were in the area and assisted Brockport with searching for the vehicle.

A short time later, deputies and Brockport Police officers observed the U-Haul in the village of Brockport and initiated a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, leading deputies on a pursuit throughout the west side of Monroe County and into Orleans County.

The operator eventually drove onto the Erie Canal path in the Town of Murray, Orleans County. The pursuit ultimately ended when the vehicle suddenly veered into the canal.

Deputies observed the operator exit the vehicle and swim to the opposite side, where he exited the canal and fled on foot. The passenger also exited the vehicle in an attempt flee. Deputies could see he was struggling to swim and jumped into the canal to rescue the passenger, ultimately losing sight of him when he went under in the murky water.

Additional resources were immediately called to the scene to include the Fire Department Water Rescue, MCSO Underwater Search and Recovery Team and EMS.

The MCSO Underwater Search and Recovery Team worked with our fire and EMS partners to search the canal for the passenger. Following a thorough search of the canal, they were able to recover the male, who unfortunately had passed away.

With the assistance of the Monroe County Drone Response Team, MCSO K9 Units, and the Orleans County Drone Team, the operator of the vehicle was eventually located and taken into custody. MCSO Major Crimes investigators identified the driver as repeat offender Ryan Armstrong and are holding him responsible for the death of the passenger.

Ryan S. Armstrong, 43, of Brockport is charged with Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class C-Felony). Armstrong was arraigned in Orleans County CAP Court and remanded to the Orleans County Jail without bail due to his double predicate felon status.

Along with the extensive rescue and recovery efforts on the night of Sept. 2, crews returned to the scene on Sept. 3, including the MCSO Underwater Search and Recovery Team, the Monroe County Fire Bureau, the Murray Fire Department, and Jim’s Service collaborated to safely remove the U-Haul from the Erie Canal.

MCSO evidence technicians will be working throughout the week to process the evidence recovered in the U-Haul truck.

The criminal and internal investigations are ongoing. MCSO notified the New York State Attorney General’s Office.

Retiring historian Marsha DeFilipps also feted during event outside old high school

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley celebrated its 175^th anniversary on Wednesday, and debuted a new flag and logo. Former mayors, from left, Kevin Lynch, Dan Schiavone and John Kenney hold the new flag, which highlights the old Holley High School and the Holley Waterfalls.

The flag and a new logo were designed by A.J. Gere of Lake Country Media.

Holley Mayor Mark Bower unveils the new logo which makes the waterfalls a focal point.

In back are Murray Town Supervisor Gerry Rightmyer, Murray-Holley Historical Society President Dan Mawn and Holley Historian Raymond Santoro.

Tracy Yokel of Cookie Tre’s Sugar Sensations made these cookies with the new flag and logo for the Village of Holley.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented a proclamation in honor of Holley 175^th anniversary.

The Holley community traces its roots trace back to an early settlement around 1812 when the hamlet of Saltport took the name of Holley in honor of Myron Holley, a principal promoter and commissioner of the Erie Canal.

Holley flourished as a canal and railroad trading center serving the surrounding agricultural communities, according to the proclamation.

Hawley noted that Holley’s Public Square is recognized on the National Register of District Places, and there are several popular attractions include Holley Canal Park and the Holley Waterfalls.

The village population totaled 1,754 people in 2020 census.

Dan Mawn, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society, announced the resource room at the local museum will be named in honor of Marsha DiFilipps who served at the Holley and Murray historian since 1979. She has recently retired.

DeFilipps has been very active in the Historical Society. She was influential in establishing the Murray-Holley Historical Society Museum in the old train depot and has led multiple talks and workshops and helped many residents trace their own familial roots.

The depot was constructed in 1907. It was moved in 1988 to Geddes Street Extension and was turned into a museum about local history.

One of the signature accomplishments during her term as historian was her creation of an index of personal names in Landmarks of Orleans County. To do this, DeFilipps spent many months combing through and extracting every name mentioned in Isaac Signor’s 1894 publication, developing a permanent record of history.

“She just loves history and she loves Holley,” Mawn said.

Murray Town Supervisor Gerry Rightmyer and new Town Historian Debbie Wood praise DeFilipps for her long tenure as the local historian. DeFilipps was unable to attend the event on Wednesday.

“We’re so grateful for her time, effort and knowledge base,” Rightmyer said. “It will be sorely missed.”

Assemblyman Hawley also presented a citation in acknowledgement of DeFilipps’ career and contributions as the Holley and Murray historian.

The ceremony was held in front of the old Holley High School, which has been transformed into the village offices and 41 apartments for senior citizens.

Home Leasing in Rochester spearheaded the $17 million project which was complete in 2020. The site is known as the Holley Gardens.

The school originally opened 1931 and closed after 1975. Mayor Bower was in the last graduating class at the school.

It building was vacant for more than two decades.

Bower said the school, right in the middle of the village, remains a focal point and source of pride.

“It’s impossible to separate Holley’s history from the school,” he said.

The village also brought back the original plaque from when the school opened in 1931. That plaque had been in the current school on Lynch Road. But school officials gave the plaque back to the village with the old school’s reopening as apartments and village offices.

Mayor Bower said the plaque is heavy. Village officials decided to have it displayed on Medina Sandstone outside the front entrance of the building. The mayor said he appreciates that the Town of Sweden donated the stone which was in a town park.

Unveiling the plaque include, from left, Ray Santoro, Dan Mawn, Sal DeLuca and Mayor Mark Bower.

The plaque lists Board of Education members from 1931 including President Nevill Cole, and members Lewis Munger, Michael Noon, Bertrand Geyo, Louis Buongiorne, and W.T. Broekhuizen.

The plaque also lists Holley clerk Laura Fuller, district superintendent Anna Potter and principal Roswell Marshall. The architect for the school was Carl C. Ade with M. Iuppa & Maggio Co. serving as the contractors.

Holley DPW employees Mike Church, left, and Ryan Johnson get the new Holley flag ready to be raised for the first time.

The Holley flag is shown high on the flag pole, just below the American flag.

Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Tuohey: Nicole Tuohey holds a string of links which she makes every year and sells to support the Alzheimer’s Association.

MEDINA – No one knows better the heartbreak a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease brings than the family of Mary Lou and David Tuohey and their children Nicole and Casey.

Since both Mary Lou’s parents were lost to Alzheimer’s, the family has heavily supported events and sponsored fundraisers to benefit Alzheimer’s research. This includes participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for more than 24 years, when it was still held in Lewiston. When the walk moved to Albion, and then Medina, they continued to come up with more ways to raise money for the cause.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Mary Lou Tuohey hangs a sign in the window of Hans’s Bakery, former home of her Case-Nic Cookies, where she held a basket raffle every year to support Alzheimer’s research.

For at least the last 15 years, and before she retired from Case-Nic Cookies last December on Main Street, Mary Lou made cutout cookies of an elephant, a symbol alluding to the saying elephants never forget.

While coming up with a project to keep daughter Nicole busy in the store, Mary Lou hit on links which Nicole could make out of construction paper, glue together and sell in the store with a cookie for $1. All the money goes directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. Hopefully, one day, a link to the cure of Alzheimer’s will be found.

Since Tuohey retired and sold the building for Hans’s Bakery, Hans Rosentreter has agreed to bake the cookies and sell the links in the bakery. Before the official announcement of the fundraiser this year, the family has already sold more than $400 worth – a lot at the recent Super Cruise and more from private donations. Mary Lou said that fundraiser annually raised $2,000 to $3,000.

In addition, Mary Lou had come up with an ingenious way to have a basket raffle to support the Alzheimer’s Association, in which people could participate even when the store was closed. Previously, the basket raffle was only set up on the day of walk in State Street Park.

But Case-Nic Cookies at 439 Main St. had two very big display windows, and during the Covid pandemic, Mary Lou devised a system, where a non-profit could use the window space on one side of the door for a basket raffle. She created order sheets with all the baskets listed, put them in an envelope with instructions, a pen and the stub from a sheet of raffle tickets.

The envelopes are placed in a covered bucket in the entryway and all one has to do is take an envelope, include cash or a check for $10 for one sheet of 26 tickets, mark the items they want to win and the number of tickets they want placed in the drawing for that item. Mary Lou and her committee will then distribute their tickets accordingly.

With their selections made, the envelope is sealed and dropped through the mail slot in the store’s door, unless the store is open.

This year’s raffle has a new wrinkle. Two very generous items have been donated – a $100 gift certificate to Miller’s Bulk Foods on Ridge Road and a lottery board with $100 worth of tickets on it, donated by Kathy Vicknair. Two separate raffle tickets are included in the envelope for those items. The purchaser tears the tickets in half, keeps the receipt end and drops the other in the envelope with his selection of baskets.

“I am glad the community has been so supportive of our efforts,” Mary Lou said.

While putting final touches on a basket raffle in the window of Hans’s Bakery to support the Alzheimer’s Association, Mary Lou and Nicole Tuohey, from left, were visited by several friends, Carolyn Wagner and Michele Szulis, both committee members of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

While she was arranging a sign in the window this week, Michele Szulis and Carolyn Wagner, members of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee, stopped by to chat. Michele had done a practice walk of the designated route, checking for rough spots.

The Walk is schedule Sept. 27 with check-in to begin at 9 a.m. in State Street Park. Refreshments will be available and the Promise Flower Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the start of the walk at 10:15 a.m.

Anyone can donate by logging on to the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Orleans County site.

“Nicole watched her grandpa and grandma fade from life,” Mary Lou said. “That is why she sells her elephant links for $1. All the money she raises is donated directly to Alzheimer’s for research and, hopefully, a cure. Nicole does not want to see her mom fade away from life and forget who she is.”

The public is encouraged to step into Hans’s Bakery and buy a link or participate in the basket raffle.

“Until you have walked the walk of Alzheimer’s Disease, you really have no idea how hard it is on the person or their family,” Mary Lou said.

Ryan Armstrong charged with manslaughter in passenger’s death

Photos by Tom Rivers: Many fire departments and law enforcement agencies are shown near the Bennetts Corners Road bridge on Tuesday after a U-Haul plunged into the Erie Canal.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

MURRAY – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, working closely with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, has arrested and charged a Monroe County man in connection with a fatal incident on the Erie Canal.

Ryan S. Armstrong

On Tuesday evening, deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a U-Haul box truck, operated by Ryan S. Armstrong, 43, of Brockport, formerly of Rochester. That followed reports that Armstrong and his passenger stole merchandise from a Walgreens in Brockport.

Armstrong drove recklessly when he refused to stop, leading law enforcement on a dangerous pursuit that reached speeds of over 85 miles per hour. Armstrong drove onto an Erie Canal service road where he abruptly drove the truck into the canal in an attempt to evade police. Armstrong was able to escape the vehicle and swim across the canal, but his passenger was unable to do so and tragically drowned.

Following a coordinated perimeter search on the north side of the canal and the deployment of drone technology, Armstrong was located and taken into custody.

As a result of the joint investigation between the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Armstrong has been charged in Orleans County with Manslaughter in the second degree.

He was arraigned during Orleans County central arraignment court this morning and is currently being held in the Orleans County Jail without bail. Armstrong has had multiple law enforcement contacts in Monroe County dating back to May 2000. A bail hearing for Armstrong is set in Orleans County Court for September 4th.

We are grateful for the close collaboration with our partners at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, whose swift actions and coordination were instrumental in bringing this case to resolution.

We would also like to thank all the resources deployed to keep the scene safe and secure, with special thanks to the Orleans County Emergency Management, Murray Joint Fire District, Brockport Fire District, and Mercy and Monroe Ambulance services, and all mutual aid agencies.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family of the victim during this difficult time.

Rescue boats from Kendall, Murray and Brockport fire companies and the Orleans marine patrol look for a man in the canal. His body was recovered by the dive team from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters and law enforcement officers responded to a U-Haul that plunged into the Erie Canal, just east of the Bennetts Corners Road canal bridge. The body of a man who drowned was recovered by the dive team from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

A Monroe County man has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after his passenger in U-Haul truck drowned in the Erie Canal last night.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said Ryan S. Armstrong, 43, recklessly caused the death of his passenger.

Armstrong was driving the U-Haul box truck with Arizona license plate and attempted to evade law enforcement, topping 85 miles per hour.

Armstrong and his passenger were allegedly stealing items from the Walgreens on Main Street in Brockport and loading the items into the U-Haul. The passenger’s name hasn’t been publicly released yet.

Brockport Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies both attempted to stop the U-Haul, but Armstrong refused to stop and recklessly attempted to evade law enforcement, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stated in the felony complaint filed against Armstrong.

He was arraigned this morning by the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and is being held in the Orleans County Jail without bail.

Armstrong also drove into a field to evade law enforcement. After successful deployment of spike strips in the area of Bennetts Corners Road, deflating the left rear tire, Armstrong kept driving at a high rate of speed, the felony complaint states.

He turned down an Erie Canal service road and turned sharply to the left, plunging the vehicle into the water at about 7:16 p.m. Armstrong and his passenger both escaped from the cab of the U-Haul. Armstrong was able to swim ashore across the canal while the passenger drowned.

The numerous reckless actions by Armstrong led to the passenger’s death, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stated.

Armstrong was located and detained after deputies formed a perimeter on the north side of the canal between Bennetts Corners and Countyline roads. A drone picked up a heat signature to help law enforcement locate Armstrong, said Chief Deputy Michael Fowler of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

MEDINA – Two people have been sentenced to state prison for their roles in a stabbing in Medina’s Canal Basin on Nov. 1.

Edward Gibson, 43, and Deon Jackson, 25, both of Medina, were charged with first-degree assault.

Gibson used a knife to cut a woman’s throat and stab a man. But were treated at Erie County Medical Center for their injuries.

Gibson was sentenced to 12 years in state prison last week by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Deon Jackson was the accomplice in the crime, and helped lure the two to the basin where they were attacked, the district attorney’s office said.

Jackson was sentenced to 7 years in state prison by Judge Church in court this morning.

Jackson also faces a new charge since he was being held in the county jail. He was charged with aggravated harassment of employees by an inmate. He allegedly through feces and urine at corrections officers. Jackson could face an additional 2 ½ to 5 years in state prison for that charge.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mia Thom paints “2026” on the windows of a car this morning before the start of her senior year. About half of the class was treated to breakfast by parents at the Holley Firemen’s Field before they drove to school in a parade of seniors.

HOLLEY – Seniors are starting their final year at Holley Central School with much fanfare. The seniors were treated to breakfast pizza, Timbits and other snacks before the start of the school day. Then they decorated cars with “2026” messages before lining up in parade to the school parking lot.

It’s an annual tradition that goes back a decade or so. The seniors’ parents make the breakfast at the Holley Firemen’s Field. The seniors then decorate their cars and head to school for their final first day.

“It gets everyone together to start the year,” said senior Mia Thom. “It’s the beginning of the end.”

Cadence Lujan was up extra early today for the senior breakfast and the parade to school.

Chelsea Bowen drives to school with “2026” painted on her car window. She welcomed the chance to be with her friends before the start of the school day. The Holley Police Department provided an escort to start and end the parade.

Cassidy Bowen puts some window paint with a message celebrating the start of her senior year.

Many of the seniors, including Kohle Pachla (center), have their parking spaces decorated for their senior year at Holley.

The vehicles carried messages to celebrate the Class of 2026 and highlight students’ passions at Holley Central School.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Firefighters and law enforcement officers in rescue boats search the water just east of the Bennetts Corners Road bridge in Murray this evening.

Law enforcement detained one person who fled on foot north of the canal. Another person is presumed to be drown and first responders are attempting to recover the body.

The two fled in a U-Haul truck in the chase that went from Brockport to this spot on the canal between Bennetts Corners and the Monroe-Orleans Countyline roads.

There are rescue boats from Murray, Brockport and Kendall fire companies and the marine boat from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office searching for the drowned person. The Monroe County Dive Team and an underwater drone also have been deployed.

There were also K9 teams and drones from the Orleans and Monroe County Sheriff’s Departments that searched for the person who fled the scene.

UPDATE at 6:17 a.m.: WHAM in Rochester reports the body of the passenger was recovered last night.

The two men were allegedly stealing items from the Walgreens on Main Street in Brockport and loading the items into the U-Haul. After a high-speed chase with law enforcement, the driver of the U-Haul intentionally drove the U-Haul into the canal, and then swam across the canal, WHAM reported.

The passenger was unable to swim and struggled to stay afloat and went underwater, WHAM reported. The passenger’s body was recovered by the dive team from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office will be working with Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard on determining charges in the case, WHAM reported.

Press Release, Orleans County Tourism Department

Photo courtesy of Captain’s Cove Motel and Marina and Maverick Sportfishing: From left, Brett Lopresti, Amy Lopresti and Captain Chris Lopresti hold the derby-winning king salmon.

WATERPORT – Amy Lopresti of Rochester landed a 33-pound king salmon on the final day of the 2025 Fall LOC Derby, securing the lead for the $20,000 grand prize.

Lopresti caught the fish Monday while aboard the Maverick on Lake Ontario in Orleans County. She was using a Hawk’s Custom Spoon. The salmon was weighed in at Captain’s Cove in Waterport, officially tipping the scales at 33 pounds, 3 ounces.

“This is exactly the kind of world-class fishing Lake Ontario and Orleans County are known for,” said Ron Bierstine, Orleans County Sportfishing Coordinator. “To see a fish of this caliber caught on the final day of the derby adds to the excitement and shows why anglers from all over come here to fish and compete. Get ready for those same open Lake trophies in the tributaries this fall, winter and spring! ”

The LOC Derby, held each spring, summer and fall, attracts anglers from across the region competing for cash prizes and recognition for some of the lake’s biggest salmon and trout.

More leaderboard results for Orleans County salmon and trout entries for the Fall LOC can be viewed by clicking here.

Registration ends Sept. 5 with 10 spots remaining

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is still accepting last-minute registrations for this year’s Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C.

There are currently 10 available spots with last minute registration ending on Sept. 5. The trip will run from Sept. 18-21 and is open to local veterans and their families.

Participants will get a tour of the nation’s capital and its numerous monuments and landmarks that honor those who served. This year’s trip will feature stops at several notable locations in the D.C. area, including the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War memorials and Arlington National Cemetery.

“This trip is an excellent opportunity to honor not only our local veterans but also those who served before them,” said Hawley. “As the son of a veteran and a veteran myself, I am incredibly excited to host this event for another year. We owe our veterans a deep level of gratitude for all they have sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, so being able to take them to our nation’s capital to see these historic landmarks is truly an honor.”

Due to the many generous donations from the community, local businesses and organizations, we are expecting the cost to be $500 per person with everything included. To register, contact Hawley’s office immediately at 585-589-5780 or email hawleys@nyassembly.gov for more details.

For those who wish to donate to support this event, please make your donation out to Patriot Trip and send it to PO Box 171, Albion, NY 14411.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

SHELBY – At approximately 1:04 a.m. on August 31, personnel from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office responded to South Gravel Road in the Town of Shelby to assist the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office with a domestic incident investigation. The incident, which occurred in the Town of Alabama, involved a report of a possible gunshot.

According to initial reports, a female victim was being followed by her ex-boyfriend in a vehicle. It was alleged that the male may have displayed and possibly discharged a firearm during the incident.

While at a residence on South Gravel Road, law enforcement observed a vehicle matching the suspect’s description traveling westbound through the intersection of South Gravel Road and Blair Road. Deputies from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle, conducted a felony traffic stop, and detained the male suspect without incident.

No firearm was recovered, and contrary to early reports, no vehicle pursuit took place.

The male suspect was subsequently turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, as criminal charges are being pursued in connection with the original incident.