Alabama

Press release:

The Board of Education is proud to announce our unanimous selection of
Mr. Mark Alexander as the next superintendent of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District. Mark began his career as a third-grade teacher at the Churchville-Chili Central School District before joining the faculty at Oakfield-Alabama in 2000. He was promoted to the position of elementary principal in 2008.

Mark has also served as an adjunct instructor at Genesee Community College where he was awarded the prestigious National Institute of Staff Development and Organizational Development Award for Excellence in Teaching and Leadership.

Mark earned degrees in mathematics education and curriculum specialization at the College at Brockport before pursuing his certification in school leadership through the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. 

Mark has served in many leadership positions while a member of the Oakfield-Alabama team, including: chair of the Safety, Health and Wellness Committee; Anti-Bullying Committee member; past chair of the District Advancement Team; past chair of the Career Day Committee; and past president, treasurer, and Negotiations Team member of the Oakfield-Alabama Teachers’ Association.

Most importantly, Mark is an educational leader who has a demonstrated record of commitment to the children of this community, their families, support staff members, teachers, administrators and the broader school community. He is a leader of great character, passion and intelligence.

The board would also like to take this opportunity to express our community’s gratitude to Chris Todd for his outstanding leadership over the past five years. We wish Chris and his family well as he begins his new position as district superintendent of Oswego County BOCES on June 1. We also would like to welcome Mr. Ed Orman, our interim superintendent, who will stay on board with Oakfield-Alabama through our transition in leadership.

Mr. Alexander is a uniquely talented educational leader who will be leading a wonderful school system. He attended and graduated from Oakfield-Alabama and has deep roots in our community. The board looks forward to welcoming Mark and his family with great anticipation and enthusiasm.

Please join us in welcoming Mark on Tuesday, June 12 for a light refreshment reception, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Middle-High School Community Room.

A driver may have failed to signal before making a left-hand turn on Route 77 in Alabama this afternoon leading to a collision with a semi-truck that was trying to pass his vehicle.

Both the driver and one of his passenger's were injured in the 1:06 p.m. accident at the intersection of Route 77 and Ledge Road.

No citations were issued, according to the accident report prepared by Deputy Chris Parker.

Suffering minor injuries were Randolph S. Mattice, 44, of Court Street, Syracuse, and Christie A. Rogers, 51.

Both a witness and the truck driver reported they didn't see a turn signal on Mattice's vehicle.

The truck driver, William Conroy, 42, of Williamee Road, Trumansburg, was not injured.

Suzanne M. Walsh, owner of the 2000 Pontiac Driven by Mattice, was also uninjured.

(Initial Report)

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported on Route 77 between Ledge and Marble roads. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with medics.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: The accident involves a car and a tractor-trailer.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested, out of Oakfield. The tractor-trailer's fuel tank is intact.

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: One patient is being transported to the hospital in Warsaw.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: A second patient is being taken to the Warsaw hospital.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: Alabama is back in the hall, in service.

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William Henry Foote, 57, of Myers Road, Oswego, is charged with felony driving while ability impaired by combined drugs and alcohol, felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and felony driving while ability impaired by drugs. Foote was arrested after deputies responded at 3:35 p.m., Monday, to a report of a person who said he had burned himself by spilling coffee on his chest. Foote was evaluated by ambulance medics, but refused further treatment. Further investigation by Deputy Joseph Graff and Deputy Howard Carlson led to Foote's arrest.

Russell Hosahi Blumer, 39, of Gillate Road, Alexander, is charged with assault, 3rd, resisting arrest, aggravated DWI and DWI. Blumer was allegedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Gillate Road, Alexander, at 4:23 p.m., Monday. Blumer was later located operating a Kubota tractor and was allegedly intoxicated. Blumer was allegedly verbally combative and physically resisting arrest, causing a hand/finger injury to a deputy. The deputy was treated at UMMC and released.

A 17-year-old resident of River Street, Batavia, and a 16-year-old resident of South Main Street, Batavia, are charged unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. The youths were allegedly found in possession of beer at 11:42 p.m., Saturday, at a location on Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Deidre Roshelle Scott, 25, of an undisclosed address, Rochester, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and inadequate headlights. Scott is accused of giving a false identification following a traffic stop at 2:03 p.m., March 15. Scott's alleged deception was discovered after Scott reportedly failed to appear in court and the person whose identity she allegedly used was issued a summons for failure to appear.

James Thomas Kusmierczak, 27, of Chestnut Street, Medina, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and possession/consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Kusmierczak was stopped for allegedly consuming beer in a motor vehicle. During the stop, Kusmierczak was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Jeffery Scott, 29, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, and Adrian James, 32, of East Main Street Road, Le Roy, are charged with trespass and petit larceny. The two men were arrested following a report of people removing property from a local business. When approached, Scott was immediately taken into custody. James was captured after initially fleeing on foot.

Melissa G. Betances, 31, of 180 1/2 Pearl St., Batavia, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. Betances was stopped Monday on Pearl Street by Officer Darryle Streeter.

Josanne Alysse Schultz, 23, of Wolcottsville Road, Akron, is charged with petit larceny. Schultz is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Brett Douglas Perfitt, 17, of Bennett Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, speed not reasonable and moved from lane unsafely. Perfitt was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 2:10 a.m., Monday, on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama.  Perfitt allegedly failed to reduce speed when approaching a curve and traveled off the roadway into the woods. Perfitt said he was not injured in the accident and declined medical treatment. The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Alec Covel and the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets persevered through seven innings of playoff baseball Friday to secure berth in the Class CC finals Tuesday against #1 seed Lyons.

Covel gave up 11 hits against Perry, but more importantly, he struck out 10 and surrendered only two runs to lead the Hornets (17-4) to an 8-2 victory.

Covel said he just wanted to "win one for the team."

The Yellow Jackets got to him for a quick run in the first inning, but then Covel settled in and gained confidence as the game went on.

"In the beginning I had trouble spotting my curve ball," Covel said. "It started coming through. It was working and they weren’t hitting it so I kept throwing it."

The sophomore mixed his off-speed stuff with a dominating fastball to keep the Perry hitters off balance for most of the night.

His lone base on balls came in the final frame, when Perry scored its only other run of the night.

Co-head Coach Dan Gilbert, who shares the position with James Patrick, said the win was a team effort -- Covel was backed by solid defense, but praised Covel's attitude and work ethic.

"It's a combination of Alec's temperament -- he's a great pitcher, great work ethic, hard-nosed kid who doesn't get rattled, and he had great defense behind him," Gilbert said.

Gilbert said the Hornets knew they would have their hands full with Perry, but the team never gave up and the five-run sixth was just what the Hornets needed to put away the #11 seed.

"We knew coming in they were scrappy and they played scrappy," Gilbert said.  "We knew we would have to persevere through any kind of adversity or bumps in the road. We had a couple of mistakes along the way that we had to persevere through and we didn’t quit and we didn’t give up. And we got the big inning when we needed it."

The offense was led by Kurtis Dunlap, who reached base four times -- one hit, two walks and one hit by a pitch -- and scored three runs.

Tommy Manzella had a triple and a run scored.

Hunter Spiotta had his second 2-3 game of the playoffs and scored a run.

The Hornets go into the finals as the #2 seed and getting to the championship game is what O-A's seniors have had in mind all season, Gilbert said.

"The senior leadership has been phenomenal," Gilbert said. "They’ve had a desire to make a run the whole year. They’ve picked up everybody along the way. Our hats go off to the seniors every day because sometimes when you’re a senior, senioritis kicks in. These guys just want to play baseball, do the best they can for the team. That’s been the key to our success all year."

Even though they will be facing the #1 seed, Gilbert said the Hornets are ready for the challenge.

"We feel confident," Gilbert said. "We know we have a chance. We’re going to have to play quality baseball, but we have good quality kids who are going to work hard and leave it on the field."

The game will be played Tuesday at a location yet to be determined.

If you have trouble viewing the slide show, click here.  To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

A 40-year-old Batavia woman who bilked two elderly patients out of more than $308,000 faces up to seven years in prison and significant restitution after pleading guilty this morning to four felonies.

Heidi L. Schollard, 161 Bank St., Batavia, entered a guilty plea to three counts of grand larceny, 3rd. Each Class D felony carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, but under the plea deal, Schollard's sentences will be served concurrently.

She also entered a guilty plea to grand larceny, 4th, a Class E felony with a maximum sentence of four years.

Schollard is ordered to repay $265,131 to one elderly victim and $43,000 to another, plus $23,414 to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance and $2,485 to the Department of Labor.

Schollard was initially arrested in December 2010 for allegedly stealing about $250,000 from a Batavia resident.

She was out of jail during the proceedings in that case and was arrested again in March and accused of defrauding another elderly person. The alleged victim in this case is a resident of Alabama.

In both cases, Schollard was reportedly a caregiver for the victims.

Sentencing is set for 9 a.m., Aug. 9.

A motorcycle accident with minor injuries is reported in the area of 1138 Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Alabama Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Patient being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: Alabama back in service.

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A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. There is one patient with a facial injury who is also complaining of chest pain.

UPDATE 12:39: Southbound traffic is blocked. Fire police are needed for traffic control. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: Alabama is back in service. One patient is being transported to Erie County Medical Center.

Gorge L. Correa, 19, of 72 Ward St., F, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, trespass and possession of marijuana; Arami Morales, 16, of 72 Ward St., F, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, resisting arrest and trespass; Markeef H. Royal, 23, of 9 Beechwood St., Rochester, is charged with trespass; Joshua L. Burris, 22, of 21 Baumen St., Rochester, is charged with trespass; Malik J. Johnson, 19, of 916 Plymouth Ave., Rochester, is charged with trespass. The five suspects were arrested after Batavia PD responded at 6:40 a.m., Sunday, to a report of a disturbance at the Batavia Gardens Apartments, 679 E. Main St., Batavia. Morales is accused of hitting Officer Darryl Streeter. Further investigation led to the alleged discovery of a handgun and marijuana in the vehicle of Correa. Burris was turned over to Rochester PD on an arrest warrant. Correa and Morales were arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed on $5,000 bail each.

Joel D. Prouty, 25, of Maple Avenue, Oakfield, is charged criminal contempt, 1st, unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Prouty is accused of violating an order of protection by slammng a woman who is seven-months pregnant into a doorway and threatening to punch her in the stomach. Prouty also allegedly smashed the woman's mobile phone while she tried to call 9-1-1 and restrained her against her will. Prouty was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Gary Robert Dean, 61, of Buffalo Street, Alexander, is charged with felony aggravated unlicensed operation, DWI and a violation of unlicensed operation. Dean was stopped at 9:32 p.m., April 4, on Broadway Road, Alexander, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Marquis Kwanaine Saddler, 21, of Brockport-Spencerport Road, Sweden, is charged with violation of sentencing conditions. Saddler was arrested by Village of Brockport PD on a warrant out of Batavia City Drug Court and jailed on $100,000 bail.

Raymond Kyle Jonathan, 23, of Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, unlicensed operator and failure to stop at stop sign. Jonathan was arrested by Deputy Kevin McCarthy following an investigation into a rollover accident at 3:17 a.m., Sunday, at 890 Judge Road, Basom.

Tara L. Hall, 33, of 132 State St., lower, Batavia, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd. Hall is accused of threatening two people.

Jennifer L. Stack, 25, of 5861 Walkers Corners Road, is charged with failure to appear. Stack was arrested after being located at an apartment on South Main Street during a disturbance at that location. Stack was jailed on $500 bail.

Sky M. Lewis, 18, of 38 Walnut St., lower, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Lewis is accused of fighting with another person while in the presence of two young children.

Shawn Michael Kwiatek, 33, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Kwiatek is accused of bringing alcohol to a party and serving it to people under age 21.

A car fire "with complications" is reported at Lewiston and Meadville roads in Alabama. Alabama firefighters are dispatched.

UPDATE 5:46 p.m.: Apparently the fire is out. No idea what the complications were. The vehicle was a Chevy Camaro registered to a Gasport driver. A tow was called to haul it away.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

A motorcycle accident with minor injuries is reported in Alabama at the curve where Ledge and Reuben roads meet. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

Robert Anthony Holley, 41, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Holley is accused of grabbing his son, throwing him to the ground and kicking him during an argument. Holley is also accused of throwing his wife to the ground when she reportedly tried to stop him. Holley was jailed on $500 bail.

Uriah Ian Charles Smoke, 27, of Bloomingdale Road, Basom, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Smoke is accused of failing to appear in the Town of Alabama Court following his release from the Erie County Correctional Facility and was arrested on a warrant.

David Christopher Dodd, 23, of County Road 132, Ovid, is charged with two counts of aggravated DWI (child passengers under 16), operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs and failure to stop at a stop sign. Dodd was arrested following a report at 9:05 p.m., Wednesday, that a vehicle was operating erratically on Park Road. Dodd was stopped by Deputy James Diehl.

By all accounts, when Don Sage climbed aboard an Alabama Fire Department engine a couple of weeks ago, he was all smiles, like a kid getting to blare the siren for the first time.

It had been several months since Sage -- a former chief and former fire district president with more than 50 years of fire service under his belt -- had been out on an emergency call.

Sage has been out on one other call since, but he says he'll go on more as he gets his health back.

"To me, being a volunteer fireman is a good way to serve your community and help your neighbor," Sage said. "That's what life is all about, isn't it?"

The 70-year-old Alabama resident was seriously injured July 7 in a head-on collision in East Pembroke. Sage suffered massive internal injuries and would eventually have a leg amputated.

When he arrived via Mercy Flight at Strong Memorial Hospital, doctors gave him only a 30-percent chance of surviving.

Sage has three children, including two sons who are also volunteers with the Alabama department.

Brian Sage said it's good to see his dad back out responding to calls.

"On that first call, he was barking orders, so I knew he was back," Brian said. "It was good to see him back."

In his 50 years, Sage said he's been there to help other people, "but I never needed help myself, and when I did, my brothers and sisters (in fire service) came through for me."

As I was getting ready leave, Don Sage pulled me aside and said, "I know you're going to do a little write-up. Be sure to mention that I'm here only by the grace of God. That's important to me."

Photo: Don Sage is back row, left. Next to him are, Bill Schutt, Tony Mudrzynski, Todd Thompson, Gloria Abrams, Ralph Bauer, Hank Mudrzynski, and front row, Brian Sage, Kasey Thompson and Kaitlyn Allen.

When there is an emergency call on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, the Alabama Volunteer Fire Department never shirks its duty -- the volunteers suit up, jump on their trucks and head out to whatever emergency is toned out.

Even though, for a number of years, there's been no money coming in to support the department from residents of the reservation.

For years, the department has lobbied the Bureau of Indian Affairs for some reimbursement of its expenses -- something not uncommon across the nation, and even in Western New York.

Today, Rep. Kathy Hochul announced that after some efforts on the part of her staff, the bureau has agreed to reimburse the department for its calls on the reservation up to $69,000 a year.

"There are a lot of people over there who need our services," said Past Chief Bill Schutt. "This was never about not providing those services, but getting funding for those services. They are part of our town and they're our neighbors. We've never considered not going there."

Hochul announced the agreement during a brief visit with the Alabama firefighters at their fire hall today.

The department has a budget of $180,000, mostly funded by a fire district tax levied against town landowners, but since the reservation is sovereign land, residents there don't pay the tax.

Schutt said exactly how the new pot of money will be allocated in the department hasn't been decided yet, but there's always equipment to replace or repair.

The department has about 50 volunteers, two of whom live on the reservation, according to Schutt.

A fully involved shed fire with exposure to a residence is reported at 245 Martin Road, near the intersection with Bloomingdale Road in Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is responding. Akron is responding because it had somebody already at the scene. Indian Falls is standing by in their hall. The shed is about 10 by 15 square feet.

UPDATE 7:42 a.m.: The fire has been knocked down. Firefighters are checking for any extensions.

A vehicle fire is reported on Route 77 near Bloomingdale and Judge roads. It's in a field on the east side of the roadway. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: A possible field fire is reported as a result of the vehicle fire.

UPDATE 5:54 p.m.: The fire chief on scene says the vehicle fire is fully involved and the field is also on fire.

UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: Fire police are requested to the scene for traffic control.

UPDATE 6:07 p.m.: The fire is under control, but some small blazes have cropped up nearby. More manpower is requested and law enforcement is also responding.

UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: All fire is out.

UPDATE 6:29 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

A shed fire is reported at 2082 Lewiston Road near Knowlesville Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding. Oakfield Fire Department is called to stand by in its hall.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: According to the National Weather Service, there's an elevated fire risk today "due to a combination of dry air, lingering vegetation from last year" and moderate northwest winds. (Also, tonight there's a freeze likely, with temperatures expected to be 25 to 30 degrees.)

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: Alabama Engine 2 is on scene "with a working shed fire."

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: Alabama engines 1 and 5 are on scene.

UPDATE 12:26 p.m.: Oakfield is told to stand down.

UPDATE 12:29 p.m.: The fire is extinguished and they are now doing overhaul.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Lennie M. Colley, 46, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with a felony count of criminal mischief, 3rd, DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and consumption of a alcohol in a motor vehicle. Colley is accused of smashing out windows of motor vehicles at about 2:40 a.m., today, on Route 5 in Stafford. Deputy James Diehl and Sgt. Brian Frieday responded to the call and found Colley allegedly driving drunk.

Lee Ann Marchese, 51, of Alleghany Road, Alabama, is charged iwth burglary 2nd. Marchese is accused of entering a dwelling in Stafford on Tuesday and stealing property.

Dimitri Carmelo Burton, 19, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Burton is accused of shoplifting from the AT&T store on Veterans Memorial Drive. Burton was jailed on $250 bail.