Alabama

Apparently, Dannie Sims didn't want to pass through a State Police road check on Route 63 in Oakfield today.

Troopers spotted a Chevy Lumina making an alleged illegal u-turn after it started to approach the road check, so a trooper initiated a traffic stop.

It turns out that Sims may have had good reason for avoiding the road check -- a felony warrant in Monroe County. He is also a suspect in several alleged larcenies of purses, wallets and other items at several retail store locations. Sims is a "person of interest" for the Genesee County Sheriff's Office in several alleged larcenies in the Batavia area.

Sims, 53, is a resident of Alabama.

After his apprehension, Sims was turned over to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department. The investigation is ongoing in Genesee County.

The purpose of the road checks is to check all safety related equipment that is required by the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws as well as ensuring that all vehicles are properly registered, insured and inspected.

William G. Potter, 53, and Tina L. Ground, 49, of 6924 Council House Road, Alabama, are charged with crimes stemming from a dispute at their residence. During a fight, Ground allegedly threatened Potter with a claw hammer. Potter allegedly made contact with Ground, which violated a court order. During the investigation of the incident, Deputy Kevin McCarthy and state troopers allegedly found seven potted marijuana plants in the house. Ground also allegedly had marijuana on her person. Potter is charged with criminal contempt. Ground is charged with menacing, unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful growing of marijuana.

Robert M. Browne, 48, of 282 Route 20, Room #3, Darien, is charged with DWI and criminal contempt. Reportedly, law enforcement received a report that Browne had contact with a person he is ordered not to contact. Deputy Patrick Reeves was dispatched to find Browne, and reportedly found him driving on Route 20 in Darien. Reeves determined that Browne was allegedly driving while intoxicated. Browne was also charged with unlicensed operation and operating a vehicle that was unregistered, uninsured and that had improperly switched plates.

Oakfield-Alabama Central School has $6 million to spend on building repairs, new technology and safety measures for its students, thanks to an EXCEL grant they got four years ago.

“The best part is, there is literally no (additional cost) to the taxpayer…” said Christopher Todd, OA superintendent. “We will not go over our $6 million dollar cap – although we plan to get as close as we can.”

First, OA will spruce up the memorial site in the front of the building. A light will illuminate the flag and new greenery will make the site more eye-catching.

Part of the grant money has been dedicated to making the schools more energy efficient, so new heating/AC units were installed in the elementary school. The new units will also be cheaper to maintain if they happen to break or need repairs. “Here at OA, we like to make sure our kids are cool!” joked Todd.

Parents will have no reason to sweat this year when it comes to the safety of the students during school hours. New doors were installed in the lobbies of both the elementary and high schools – doors that will only open if visitors are approved and buzzed in. The offices in both schools have been remodeled to make this an easy process. (Below is the new elementary school office.)

The biggest changes that affect parents of OA students are the drop-off zones for each school. At the elementary drop-off, parents and their children won’t have to avoid the giant puddle of water that seemed to always form directly in front of the school. The drainage system will be repaired before the beginning of the school year. (When this picture was taken, it hadn't rained for about two days.)

 The drop-off system at the high school has been improved as well. Since the Department of Transportation mandated that the school move its main entrance, parents have the front of the building all to themselves. That includes the new three-lane roadway that extends across what used to be the school’s front lawn.

“It will be much easier for parents to make quick drop-offs, it will keep traffic off the main road, and they won’t have to interfere with the buses' drop-offs either,” explained Todd.

So where will the buses load and unload their students if they’re no longer at the front of the building? Well, it’s hard to see from the road, but behind the middle school there will be a new circle for buses only. There used to be a small administrative parking lot in that area.

“I told [fellow administrators] they couldn’t complain, because I’m losing my parking spot too!” laughed Todd, “I’ll be parking way out there!” he said gesturing toward the far end of the student parking lot.

Also, another roadway will stem from the new bus circle and head straight back for the football fields to a small handicapped parking lot. 

Athletes in OA will benefit from this grant too. The football fields will have new lights, the track will be resurfaced, and ball fields will get new clay and dirt skins called “baseball mix." Plus, a few machines in the fitness center are being leased – they’ll be easier to replace if they happen to break or need repairs.

Physical activity is important to elementary students too, so they’ll be getting a new playground behind the cafeteria. All the pieces have arrived, but the playground itself may not be finished before school begins. All other construction is scheduled to be finished by the time school starts next month.

A head-on collision on Bloomingdale Road near Tesnow Road in Alabama has been reported.

The initial report stated two people were entrapped, but the latest report is that there are two victims who are out of the vehicles.

Mercy Flight remains enroute.

UPDATE: A landing zone is being established for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 2: At least one person was being helped (not sure if "extracted" would apply) from one vehicle. He is apparently the driver of one vehicle and he reportedly told emergency responders that he fell asleep at the wheel.

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Joanne C. Buchanan, 50, of Box 70 Country Road Route 37, Central Square, and Jayne E. Best, 52, of 9384 Woodlawn Drive, Brewerton, were arrested for allegedly attempting to evade or defeat tax and possession of untaxed cigarettes. Deputy Tim Wescott initiated a traffic stop for alleged speeding and reportedly found 10 cartoons of cigarettes in the car Buchanan and Best were in.

Donald J. Cummins, 60, of 104 Bernice Drive, Seneca, is charged with DWI. Cummins was reportedly driving westbound on Route 33 at 11:53 p.m. when his vehicle allegedly strayed from the roadway toward the left shoulder striking a road cone. Deputy Kevin R. McCarthy stopped Cummins and found he was allegedly driving while intoxicated. He was also cited for allegedly driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from a lane unsafely.

Susanna E. Venti, 60, of Alexander, is charged with DWI. Venti was stopped by a state trooper on Walker Road in the Town of Darien for allegedly crossing the center line. Venti's alleged BAC was .08 percent. Venti was cited for DWI, failing to keep right and driving an unregistered vehicle.

An overwhelming majority of residents of Alabama want piped-in water to replace their current well-water supply, a fact that was brought into light by a survey conducted in 2003. The survey also made it apparent that residents were willing to pay for public water, but those in attendance at the informational meeting last night were leery over the $5.2 million dollar price tag.

Residents in the town gathered in the fire hall to go over the pros and cons of public water, the cost and responsibilities of the homeowner, and the logistics of the project that were projected thus far.

The owner of Chatfield Engineers, Paul Chatfield, presented the proposed district as well as the dollar amounts that came along with it, saying that each resident would have to pay a target charge of $702.

“If it would only cost me $700 to get water, I’d write you a check today!” said Bill Maragliano. He and his wife have lived on Roberts Road for four years. They were upset that the projected water lines were (as of right now) not going to reach them. Later, he showed me a bottle of water he’d taken from the faucet at his house, and it wasn’t pretty.

 The Maragliano’s plan to get a petition signed by their neighbors saying that they want water. Supervisor of the Town of Alabama, Guy Hinkson asked that anyone else who wants water on their street to bring it to his attention with a petition as well.

A show of hands around the room indicated that the majority of people in attendance did want water, but when it came time for questions and concerns it was clear they were wary of the cost. 

Chatfield explained that the interest rates for loans have been nearly cut in half over the past few years. He said now is the time to take advantage of grant programs, such as the one offered by USDA Rural Development – a federal agency that provides loans and grants based upon the incomes of the residents in the town.

The total cost of the project that USDA Rural Development is willing to pay (the projected grant plus the projected loan) is approximately $5,258,000. The estimated target charge per house is approximately $702 per year (debt service plus the cost of water). Loan specialist Dawn Kuras for the USDA Rural Development assured that even if the loan or grant amounts change, the target charge per household would remain around $700 per year.

That $700 does not include the cost to run the water line from the road to the resident's house (approx. $8-12 per sq. foot), or the purchase of water.

Many people were concerned about senior citizens on fixed incomes and how they would afford a new cost. Kuras explained that the USDA was there to help individuals as well as the town afford water. She said to contact her office in Batavia with inquiries.

“We have a lot of details to work out in regards to this project,” said Chatfield. The application process is time consuming and the general schedule for water districts from formation to completion is projected to take almost four years.

Supervisor Hinkson concluded the meeting by saying “This has been a long time coming… people need water.” 

Not everyone in attendance agreed that the town should go ahead with the project as projected right away, however.  Co-legislator in District 1 of Oakfield and Alabama, Ray Cianfrini brought it to attention that there could be other ways to get this project paid for. He suggested they seek funding through Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP).

Cianfrini also mentioned that the Town of Oakfield was “basically mandated” to replace their water tower and they are having trouble finding grant money. He said that two municipalities combined would increase their chances to get grants, so “Why not take advantage?”

Supervisor Hinkson stressed throughout the meeting that the project was still “conceptual… We are in the preliminary phases of getting all this accomplished.”

A border patrol helicopter found two marijuana plots Thursday near Ham and Gorton roads in the Town of Alabama, according to Chief Jerome Brewster of the Sheriff's Office.

Brewster confirmed this morning a reader's tip led to the discovery.

A total of 17 plants were seized from one plot and 56 from another, according to Brewster. The plants were about three-feet tall.

A Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division was on scene, but this was a Border Patrol and Drug Enforcement Administration case.

The reader who tipped us said she saw the helicopter hovering above where there used to be several barns about 11:45 a.m. on Thursday.

Allen S. Dockstader, 26, 380 Council House Road, Basom, is charged with felony DWI among other charges following an accident at 2:24 a.m. in which Dockstader was allegedly involved in a two-car hit-and-run accident on Gilmore Road in Pembroke. The driver who left the scene was identified as Dockstader, according to a Sheriff's Office report, and Deputy Jason E. Saile reportedly found Dockstader at his home following the accident in an alleged intoxicated state. Additional charges: DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, unregistered motor vehicle, operating without insurance, switched license plate and unsafe backing.

Michael E. George, 45, of 2383 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI and leaving the scene of an accident. George allegedly struck a disabled vehicle that was partially in the roadway on Bloomingdale Road in Alabama. George was allegedly found at his home by Deputy Howard Carlson following the accident. Additional charges: Driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speed unreasonable/prudent, no left side mirror and refusal to take breath test. The incident allegedly took place at 9:28 p.m.

Sarah Lace Tadusz, 19, of 7140 Scotland Road, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Tadusz's car was stopped in Alabama for allegedly not having a front license plate. During the traffic stop the odor of burnt marijuana drifted from the car, according to Deputy Chris Parker.  Upon further investigation by Parker and Deputy Kevin McCarthy, Tadusz was found to allegedly possess two small bags of marijuana, a smoking pipe with residue and a small glass vial with marijuana.

One of the main reasons for the recent success the Oakfield-Alabama football program has had is the work ethic coach John Dowd instilled in his players.

The weight room was a high priority.

Don't expect that to change as Dowd's replacement is an O-A grad that was known for his drive to be the best and time spent in the weight room during high school.

"I'm going to try my best to get the full potential out of these kids," said new coach Brian Palone, who graduated from Oakfield-Alabama in 1998. "I will work them hard and earn their respect, constantly telling them it's not about how big they are, but the amount of heart they put into it to get the job done."

Palone - who played football, basketball and baseball in high school - has some big shoes to fill and is ready for the challenge. Dowd led the Hornets to their first undefeated season since 1986 this past fall and the squad made the sectional finals, only to lose a great game against a powerhouse Le Roy squad.

He had a 50-12 record over the last six seasons and won a pair of sectional titles, all while stressing hard work and making the program one of the most respected in Section 5.

"There is a great tradition at Oakfield that I saw after graduating from there and seeing what (Dowd) did last year. He did a great job," Palone said. "I'm going to go in and try my best and see what happens. I told the guys that they need to give me 100 percent and I'll give them 100 percent and we'll do the best we can."

Palone will be returning to his alma matter as a first-time head coach.

He has been a teacher at Naples for the last six years and has been the varsity baseball coach for the last three seasons. But the school does not have a football program.

After playing all over the field in high school and as an outside linebacker for four seasons at Brockport, he was an assistant linebacker and wide receiver coach at Caledonia-Mumford for two seasons. He was on head coach Mike Monacelli's 2003 state title winning squad.

Palone then spent four years as a special teams coordinator and LB/RB coach at Wayland-Cohocton. While teaching at Naples, he gained more experience as a linebacker coach and assistant defensive coordinator with Marcus Whitman.

 "I've been wanting to get an opportunity to get back to Oakfield if a position ever opened," said Palone, who will also teach elementary physical education. "This is a dream come true to give back to the school that gave so much to me."

Dowd ran the Double Wing on offense and the Hornets simply wore teams down with size on the line, allowing multiple backs to go off at will. Palone expects to change things some, but will run a very similar offense.

"We are going to keep some of the same and blend in some other concepts this year," said Palone, who recently purchased a house in Farmington with his wife of seven months, Samantha. "I don't expect to change everything. I have lots of ideas, but some coaches make the mistake of going in and changing everything."

A passenger riding in the back of a pickup truck suffered a minor head injury over the weekend after falling from the moving vehicle.

Charles E. Blair, 48, sustained cuts to his head when he lost his balance as the driver, Betty L. Stetzenmeyer, 58, of Canandaigua, pulled from the parking lot of a store at 409 Bloomingdale Road, near Martin Road, in Alabama.

There were six other passengers in the truck.  No other injuries were reported.

Reader Bruce Ross  submitted this photo from earlier today of an accident on Route 77 in Alabama. We don't have the accident report from the Sheriff's Office yet.

He sent this message with the photo:

There was another two car MVA that occurred about 30 minutes ago at route 77 and Ledge Rd Alabama Fire Dept responded for a report of one minor injury.   The accident was called in by the Indian Falls Fire Dept Assistant Chief.   One car was about 3 feet from hitting the house on the NE corner of that  intersection.

Darlene Ann Kingdollar, 47, of 25 S. Pearl St., Oakfield is charged with petty larceny. Kingdollar allegedly stole $20 from the purse of Kingdollar's grandson's wife while at a picnic.

Justin Adelbert Lilly, 21, of 11403 Apt. 1 Sanderson Road, Medina, was arrested in Orleans County and turned over the the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on a warrant issued in Alabama. Lilly is charged with burglary and criminal mischief.

A teen-age girl from Lockport incarcerated in Genesee County Jail reportedly punched another inmate in the face causing an injury. She is charged with assault in the second degree.

Scott A. Fehr, 34, 8378 Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI. Fehr was reportedly found parked on Galloway Road. Further investigation revealed he allegedly hit a sight while turning left from Route 63 onto Galloway. He then allegedly left the scene without proper notification. He was also charged with a BAC of .08 or more and leaving the scene of a property damage accident without notification.

A 17-year-old employee of Darian Lake is accused of stealing $765 from the theme park. He is charged with petty larceny. The youth is from Strykersville.

Travis Bauer, 20, 4685 Crittenden Road, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bauer was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana during an investigation of a reported domestic dispute in Alabama.

Debra Farminger, 47, 24 Lewis Road, Akron is accused of pushing and hurting another family member during a domestic dispute in Alabama. She is charged with harassment in the second degree.

A Basom man was killed this afternoon in a single-vehicle accident on Judge Road on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation in the Town of Alabama.

Alan M. Jones, 53, of 6835 Meadville Road, Basom, lost control of his vehicle for an unknown reason, driving off the left shoulder of the highway, striking an earth embankment. The vehicle became airborne, rolling and coming to rest on its roof. Jones was ejected from the vehicle.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Jack Taylor.

It has yet to be determined if alcohol or speed played any part in the accident.

Jones was driving a 1988 Ford F150 pick up. The accident was reported via 9-1-1 at 4:10 p.m.

The accident is being investigated Deputy Minuto, Sgt. Walker, Deputy Seppala, Investigator Stone and members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Crash Management Team.

Business First takes a look at tax-relief recommendations encouraging mergers between smaller school districts, and comes up with a list of 13 potential consolidations in WNY, among them Elba and Oakfield-Alabama.

Elba/Oakfield-Alabama

Enrollment is 35 percent lighter in Elba (537 students) than in any other Genesee County district. The closest option for consolidation is 10 minutes down the road in Oakfield-Alabama (990). The resulting district (1,527) would still have fewer students than nearby Batavia.

Four volunteer fire departments from Genesee County helped battle a blaze that destroyed two barns in Akron yesterday about 2:20 p.m.

Responding where Alabama, East Pembroke, Darien and Corfu.

Both barns were completely destroyed, along with their contents, which included tools, equipment and a Dodge van, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

The fire was discovered by Olivia Swendsen as she was tending her goats. It's believe egg incubator lights ignited the blaze.

It's possible the barns and some of the content was not insured, according to the report.

Kerry Hoffman, age 27, of Bergen, the former band director of Oakfield-Alabama High School has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse in the third degree.

Hoffman is accused of abusing a female student.

Besides the five misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse, Hoffman is charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of official misconduct.

WBTA's Dan Fischer spoke with Oakfield-Alabama Superintendent Christopher Todd, who said Hoffman voluntarily resigned when the allegations surfaced in March. Todd said parents in the district were immediately notified of the allegations.  School officials became involved when information came forward that raised concerns about Hoffman's conduct with the student.

Juvenile Officer J.K. Dehm of the Sheriff's Office said in a release, "During a period from February 2009 to March 2009 Kerry Hoffman acted in a manner likely to be harmful to a child less than seventeen years old."

Hoffman was arraigned in the Town of Oakfield by Justice Graham and released under supervision.

A 17-year-old from Brockport is accused of sending digital photos depicting nudity from his computer to a minor at a home in Bergen. The youth was arrested and charged with a felony count of disseminating indecent material to a minor. He was arraigned in Town of Bergen Court and released under supervision.

Chrisopher Bey, 32, of Attica, is charged with driving while under the influence of drugs and possession of a controlled substance. Bey was allegedly spotted by a Sheriff's investigator operating a car erratically, swerving all over the roadway on Route 33, so a Sheriff's deputy was called to the scene. Deputy Thompson observed the car pull off the road, the driver jump out, open the hood and then quickly close it. Deputy Thompson pull behind to see what the problem was and observed activity that led him to believe the driver and passenger were under the influence of narcotics. A K-9 search by "Jay" revealed Bey possibly possessed heroin. Bey was also cited for failure to keep right and expired inspection.

Amber Ellison, 19, of Cheektowaga, is charged with possession of marijuana. The marijuana was reportedly found following a traffic stop in Alabama. Ellison was released on an appearance ticket.