Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Police at Letchworth State Park had to rescue a hiker who fell 60 feet into the gorge Sunday afternoon. At about 4:45 p.m. they rappelled into the gorge and, about two hours later, brought up 22-year-old Timothy Mazurczak from Cheektowaga. He wasn’t hurt, but was cited for failure to use designated trails. This is the latest in a series of incidents at the park this year. In February, a 21-year-old North Tonawanda man died after falling into the gorge near the lower falls. In October, a 14-year-old Penfield boy died after leaving a trail and falling into the gorge near the Great Bend Overlooks. In August, a Seaford, New York, couple was hurt by a falling tree after leaving a designated trail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Thousands of people – including law enforcement officers from across New York State – attended the funeral for Trooper Ross Riley this afternoon in the Reilly Center at St. Bonaventure University. During the service State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico said Riley was an outstanding state trooper and marine, but his family meant the world to him. "During his Power Point presentations when he was teaching," D'Amico said, "he'd slip in pictures of his daughters. Some of him holding them. And even one of him and his daughter at the father/daughter dance. Not something a lot of guys would do. But for Ross, family came first and he was proud to show it." His daughters are 10, 8 and 3 years old. Riley died last week during a training exercise at Letchworth State Park. NY State Police photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Funeral arrangements have been set for New York State Trooper Ross Riley, who died Wednesday after falling into a gorge at Letchworth State Park. Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home on Route 417 in Olean. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Reilly Center at St. Bonaventure University. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

From the NYSP News Conference: 44-year-old Trooper Ross Riley and two other troopers with the Special Operations Response Team were simulating a rescue on a ledge when Riley fell backward onto a creek bed 30 feet below. He suffered critical head injuries. The plan was to fly him to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester but he died at Wyoming County Community Hospital. Riley received a commendation for his work at the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was also a veteran of the Gulf War. Besides his wife Heidi of NYSP-Olean, he leaves behind three daughters ages 10, 8 and 3. ~~~ UPDATE: WIVB-TV is reporting that Trooper Ross Riley has died of his injuries. His wife Heidi is the station commander of the Olean barracks. A New York State Trooper who fell into the gorge at Letchworth State Park this afternoon is being treated at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Emergency officials tell www.dansvilleonline.com that the trooper fell duri...

Four kayakers from Salamanca had to be rescued from the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park Wednesday after they got lost. State Park Police say they got disoriented late Tuesday night and used a cell phone to call authorities. Police, along with a state police aviation unit and the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded. 24-year-old Shermane Rivers, 20-year-old Gregory Wasser, 23-year-old Ashley Wies, and 25-year-old Amber Fellows were found by the aviation team at about 1 a.m. Wednesday near the Silver Lake Outlet.