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Good Samaritan helps woman to safety at DeWitt after her kayak flips over in wind

By Howard B. Owens

It seemed like a good day for fishing to Ron Beback, of Depew.

Beback was in town because he runs some horses at Batavia Downs.

He went to Horseshoe Lake first but the white caps on the water looked rough so he decided to switch plans and go to the DeWitt Recreation Area.

As he was unloading his gear at the shoreline, he saw a woman in a kayak.  On his next trip back, he noticed that the kayak had flipped over.

"The gentleman that was with her was yelling over to me, 'she's flipped over; can you go out to get her? Can you go out to get her,' and I was like, sure, let me get my life preserver on, so I ran up to my truck and got my life preserver."

By the time Beback reached her, she was tired, he said.  She was swimming against the wind, making no progress, and her life vest was slipping up over her head.

"I told her to hold onto the kayak and I'll paddle you over to the shoreline," he said.

He guided her to the island in the middle of DeWitt Pond.

Soon, City Fire and members of the Water Rescue Team arrived on scene and helped her back to the west side of the pond, where she was evaluated by medics.  She had no injuries, according to Batavia PD Assistant Chief Christopher Camp.

Camp said the wind had caused her kayak to overturn.

Photos by Howard Owens

PreviouslyCity rescue crews investigating report of kayaker in water at DeWitt

Accident reported on Route 5 at Batavia Stafford Townline Road

By Howard B. Owens

Two cars are in a ditch, unknown injuries, following an accident reported on Main Road and Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: A red SUV was stopped at the stop sign at Batavia Stafford Townline Road, according to Trooper Mark Catanzaro, and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Main Road and was struck in the driver's side by a Chevrolet Suburban towing a trailer.  Both vehicles traveled off the roadway, down an embankment, into a ditch, coming to rest in a ditch.  "Well off the road," Catanzaro said.  An elderly female driver of the red SUV had a complaint of chest pain and was transported to UMMC for evaluation. The driver of the Suburban had a complaint of minor back pain and minor chest pain.  He was evaluated at the scene. The other two occupants of the Suburban were uninjured. 

Basom man who admitted to assault in scuffle that injured deputy given seven-year term

By Howard B. Owens
Justice Coniglio

Justice Coniglio expressed a little surprise after Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini sentenced him to seven years in prison on an assault conviction.

His understanding from his previous court appearance was that if he followed the judge's orders between the time of his guilty plea and his sentencing, he would get a reduced sentence.

That didn't happen and he wanted to know why.

Cianfrini indicated that wasn't how she remembered the previous appearance but called a recess so the transcript of the prior hearing could be reviewed.

It appears Coniglio misunderstood the judge's instructions.  

Coniglio's plea deal was for his sentences on assault and grand theft to run concurrently if he made his court appearances and stayed out of trouble.  If he didn't, then the sentences could run consecutively. 

In June, Coniglio entered a guilty plea to assault stemming from a July 23 incident on Bloomingdale Road in Basom where law enforcement came to his residence to arrest his brother Jarrett Coniglio for allegedly hitting a neighbor over the head with a bottle.  A scuffle ensued and a police officer was bitten by a K-9.

Defense Attorney Jeremy Schwartz said his client has a drinking problem and that he had been drinking that day.  The police officer who was there to arrest Jarrett, he said, wasn't dressed in a police officer's uniform. In Coniglio's drunken state, he said, he didn't understand the man was there lawfully to arrest his brother.

"I don't think he intended at all to stop an arrest," Schwartz said. "In his intoxicated state, he probably thought he was doing the right thing."

He said his client now recognizes that he was wrong.

That explanation didn't persuade Cianfrini to give Coniglio a lighter sentence.  She told him he was going to prison for seven years on the assault charge.

On the grand theft charge, regarding a vehicle that was reported stolen after it was involved in a fatal collision on Dec. 1 in Erie County, Cianfrini sentenced Coniglio to three to seven years in prison, to run concurrently with the assault term.

In the fatal accident in Erie County, Coniglio has admitted to vehicular manslaughter and will be sentenced in Erie County on Sept. 9.  That is a possible prison term of six to 12 years. Coniglio is accused of having a BAC of .18 percent or greater at the time of the accident.

Judge rejects plea deal in child sex abuse case, sets trial date

By Howard B. Owens
Wesley Thigpen

A man who admitted to child sex abuse in 2019 only to face new sex abuse charges two years later, came into Genesee County Court today expecting to be told he would spend at least another 10 years in prison, not, potentially, the rest of his life.

But a life sentence is now a real possibility after Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini rejected the guilty plea of Wesley N. Thigpen from last May, which came with a 13-year sentence cap as part of the plea deal.

Cianfrini decided to reject the previous plea agreement after receiving numerous letters from family members of a victim, and law enforcement expressing dismay at what seemed to them an inappropriate sentence.

The judge said she also reviewed the pre-sentence report by the Probation Department and found it "woefully inadequate." 

So she asked Assistant District Attorney Joseph Robinson if he had a new plea offer, and Robinson did.

Thigpen is being given time to consider an offer of a guilty plea to predatory sexual assault against a child, a Class A-II felony, with a sentence of 10 years to life.

If he rejects the offer, his case will go to trial on Feb. 4.  He has until 11 a.m., Oct. 3 to decide.

In January, Thigpen was indicted by a Genesee County Grand Jury on four counts of predatory sexual assault against a child. 

The indictment accused him of engaging in oral sexual conduct with a person less than 13 years old while he was at least 18 years old or older between the dates of June 1, 2014, and Aug. 31, 2014. He is accused of engaging in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a child less than 13 years old over a period of time not less than three months.  He is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person less than 13 years old.

In September 2019, Thigpen entered a guilty plea to a child sex abuse charge with a four-year prison term agreement.  He entered the plea on an "Alford basis," meaning that he believed a jury would convict him based on the evidence that would be presented at the trial but not admitting that he actually committed the crime.  He accused the child witness of lying.

Cianfrini was first assistant district attorney at the time and prosecuted the case.

Two people charged with harassment at Jason Aldean concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Jason Aldean concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Aug. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Chelsea E. Kirsch, 28, of Weimars Street, Buffalo, is charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly kicking another person in the head.

Tina M. Simmons, 40, of Schuster Road, Schenectady, is charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly striking a Live Nation security guard in the head.

Three people arrested at Wiz Khalifa concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Wiz Khalif concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Aug. 25. All were issued appearance tickets.

Brook L. Garrett, 20 of Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly striking a Live Nation security guard in the head.

Anthony J. Connolly, 18, of North Main Street, Angola, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Kelly J. Norah, 20, of Main Street, Brockport, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Law and Order: Vine Street resident facing multiple charges from conflicts with her neighbors

By Howard B. Owens
Kimberly Fox

Kimberly A. Fox, 44, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Fox is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection on Aug. 22 at 2:40 p.m. at a location on Vine Street, Batavia. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $1,000 bail, $2,000 bond, or $5,000 partially secured bond. Fox is also charged with two counts of criminal contempt 2nd stemming from an incident reported on Aug. 19 at 10:30 a.m. on Vine Street.  Fox is accused of violating an order of protection by yelling at two of her neighbors. Fox was arraigned on those charges and released under supervision. She is also charged with criminal contempt 2nd stemming from an incident reported on Aug. 17 at 8:30 p.m. on Vine Street. She was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision. Fox is also charged with harassment 2nd stemming from an incident reported on Aug. 18 at 8:53 p.m.  She was arrested on a warrant on that charge, arraigned in City Court, and released under supervision.

Tommy L. Crawford, 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal impersonation 2nd and bail jumping 3rd. Crawford reportedly refused to pay a bill at a motel on Oak Street on Aug. 20 at 1:25 p.m. While police officers investigated the complaint, Crawford allegedly provided the officers with a false name.  He was also wanted on three bench warrants.  He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $10,000 bail, $20,000 bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond.

Crystal Mounts

Crystal A. Mounts, 45, of Batavia, is charged with conspiracy 5th, criminal possession of stolen property 5th, possession of a forged instrument, forgery 2nd, and grand larceny 4th. Mounts was taken into custody on a warrant stemming from an incident reported at 6:10 a.m. on April 30.  She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.

Andrew J. Draper, 43, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Draper is accused of violating an order of protection at 4:57 p.m. on Aug. 24.  He was issued an appearance ticket. 

Ricky A. Marsceill, 58, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Marsceill is accused of being in possession of a controlled substance at 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joshua E. Burt, 33, of Lyndonville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driver's view obstructed.  Burt was stopped on Aug. 21 at 1:57 a.m. on East Main Street by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Wendy L. Shako, 56, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Shako is accused of smashing the rear window of a vehicle on Aug. 21 at 12:31 p.m. on Buell Street, Batavia.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Eric P. Doleman, 52, of Pembroke, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Doleman is accused of stealing from a business in Batavia on Aug. 18 at 1:37 p.m. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Kyle J. Schroeder, 25 of Le Roy, is charged with DWAI combined drugs, failed to stop at a stop sign, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and failure to appear. Schroeder was located and arrested on a warrant when Batavia PD was dispatched to a check-the-welfare call stemming from an incident reported on April 29 at 145 p.m., at a location on Ross Street.  While being processed, Schroeder was allegedly found in possession of a glass pipe that tested positive for cocaine, leading to an additional charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Schroeder was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Anthony L. Vanelli, 45, of Batavia, is charged with failure to appear.  Vanelli turned himself in on a warrant out of City Court. He was arraigned and ordered held at the Genesee County Jail.

Jacqueline R. Garrett, 43, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Garrett is accused of stealing merchandise from a business on East Main Street, Batavia on Aug. 22 at 12:15 p.m.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Gary E. Jackson, 30, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd, obstructing governmental administration, and resisting arrest. Batavia PD responded to a disturbance call on Aug. 14 at 1:48 p.m. on Liberty Avenue. Jackson is accused of shoving a Batavia police officer when he was advised that he was under arrest.  Jackson is accused of continuing to resist and being combative with police officers.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Devin B. Carleton, 21, of Allis Road, Albion, is accused of violation of a family court act.  Carleton was arrested in Orleans County on a Genesee County warrant, arraigned in Le Roy Town Court, and turned over to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office on a warrant out of Covington Town Court.

Robert A. Drewry, 56, of Keller Road, Hamburg, is charged with petit larceny. Drewry is accused of stealing money from a vehicle parked on Harloff Road, Batavia, on June 8, at about 6 p.m. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Krista S. Kiblin, 32, of Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Kiblin is accused of shoplifting approximately $200 in merchandise from Crosby's on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, on Aug. 25 at 11:46 a.m.. She was arrested by State Police and issued an appearance ticket.

Photos: Batavia United Hockey Bike Rally

By Howard B. Owens

Of the 21 teams in Section V hockey, Batavia United Head Coach Marc Staley told participants in a bike rally yesterday, 14 of them charge their players to participate.

Events such as the bike rally on Sunday are fundraisers for Batavia United, so players and their families don't get stuck with those fees.

The funds help buy uniforms and equipment that the players are then able to keep at the end of the season.

The rally isn't a race.  It was either a 5K or 10K ride, depending on how far participants wanted to go, led by Batavia Patrol Officer Peter Post.

Participants also received a Bike Rally T-shirt.

Just Kings gives back to community with free backpacks and school supplies for local students

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Just Kings Social Club gave back to their community on Saturday, handing out dozens of school backpacks, and other school supplies along with free hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken at Austin Park.

There were also free haircuts from the Royals Barbershop for kids getting ready to go back to school.

Just Kings member Victor Thomas explained that the leadership of Just Kings are men who grew up in Batavia and have been part of the community their whole lives, so one of the organization's goals is to give back to their community. 

Just Kings grew out of the March for Justice in Batavia in June 2020.

The people showing up for the supplies and food made up a diverse cross-section of Batavia's community, and Thomas said he and the rest of Just Kings like to see that.

"That was a visual of what Batavia represented and what we represent," Thomas said. "That day, at that march, we saw 400-plus people and only a handful of us. We're just all mixed in with each other, you know? So we're a product of our environment. Yes, we are here for the black community and the black community knows that. We stand up for them whenever we can. We speak out against anything that's happened against our people. But as far as the community goes, this is what our community looks like. So we have to embrace what our community looks like. So I'm glad that they're embracing us and coming back and making this crowd look so diverse today."

Photos: Byron-Bergen's Fall Athletics Bonfire

By Howard B. Owens

On Friday, Byron-Bergen High School held its annual Bonfire Night, when the school's fall sports' teams present themselves to the community and participate in some fun and games before breaking into team meetings. 

The Bergen Fire Department and Byron-Bergen Sports Boosters, along with Mr. Hannan and Miss Ireland, assisted with the event.

Photos by Gretchen Spittler, who also provided information on the event.

Photo-finishes and racing excitement mark historic return of boxcar derby to Ellicott Avenue

By Howard B. Owens
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Brett Doward (top photo) and Levi Bennett (second photo) might want a rematch in next year's boxcar derby -- assuming there is one, and by all indications, there will be -- after facing off against each other in both each other's first heat of the day and in the finals for their age bracket.

That finals race had to be run twice after the first race wound up in a tie.  

In the first match of the Doward/Bennett rivalry, Doward won by a wheel.  In the first heat of the finals, the race ended in a tie.

In that second race for the Suozzi Memorial Trophy, Doward won handily. 

The day was also marked by an appearance by Roger Martin with a boxcar he built himself in the late 1930s and which took him to the national championships in 1940.  His son ran it once down the Ellicott Avenue hill, where Martin's car had seen past glory.

There were 28 competitors running against each other in pairs with double-elimination until the final rounds.

The derby was sponsored by the Business Improvement District and Glow With Your Hands.

Previously

Dominic Darch and Brett Doward, winners of the 7-10 and 11-13-year-old brackets.

The start of the first run of the finals race for the 11-13 bracket. Levi Bennet on the left, Brett Doward on the right.

Bennett on the left and Doward on the right.

Doward in the lead at the end of the first race.

Lilly Gray glances back at Shannon Maute, BID director, as she beats her in an exhibition race at the end of the event.

Photo: Rainbow in Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

A rainbow arched over football practice at the Tri-Town athletic field in Alexander yesterday.

Photo by John Szymkowiak.

Polka party hits the right beat for patrons at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

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Once the accordion and brass kick in backed by the drummer's strong 2/4 beat, you know it's polka time. And it's hard not to smile.

There were indeed no frowns in the crowd at Batavia Downs on Thursday night for a taping of WBBZ’s Polka Buzz featuring The Buffalo Touch.

"Polka is happy music," said band leader Ken Machelski between sets. "It's fun music. You know, people get up and dance, they laugh, the songs are all about having fun --  drinking beer songs, whatnot, you know, all about the ladies, you know, pretty, pretty ladies."

Polka has a rich and varied history and many cultures of the world have adopted the 2/4 time signature for their own variation of party music.  The Buffalo Touch, thrice nominated for Grammy Awards, has developed its own style of polka over its 27-year history.

"You mention polka to somebody that doesn't know anything about it and the first thing pops to mind, the most popular is the oompa-pa. Oompa-pa. Oompa-pa,  you know the German thing," Machelski. "And that's fine. That's a Polka 2/4 beat. The Italians have a Polka. Everybody has a Polka. But ours is a Polish Polka. Our type of music has been created and evolved from songs from Poland but done American style. We add our own American twist, you know, with a couple of horns, and concertina, the accordion, piano, drums, with the ensemble. It gives us a unique sound Americanized sound."

Batavia Downs Director of Marketing Ryan Hasenauer said he was more than pleased with the event, and suggested Batavia Downs may do another polka party again soon.

"We've got all these people that are enjoying some great Polish music," Hasenauer said. "We've got the Polish specials at the Homestretch Grill, some Polish vodka, some Polish beer and a sold-out hotel. What more can you ask for? It's great. I look around and everybody's having a good time."

Not bad, he said, for an event that Batavia Downs and WBBZ decided to partner on less than six weeks ago.

"One of the things that we pride ourselves on at Batavia Downs is we're nimble, we're quick, we're able to kind of, you know, find an event that we want to do, talk to the right people, and then put it down very quickly," he said.


​Photos by Howard Owens.

Photos: Boxing and Brews at the Creekside in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

BeyondDriven Fitness opened its Boxing and Brews tour at the Creekside Inn in Le Roy on Thursday evening.

Matt Walther said the fitness club is planning to bring the event to more taverns and breweries in the area. 

"It's kind of box now beer later type of event," he said. "It's just a fun way to get into fitness."

Walther said boxing workouts combine strength training and cardio for a workout that is as fun as it is complete.

"When you're punching a bag, it's great cardio endurance," he said. "It is great fitness. We're not doing it to be precise with striking. We're doing it for fitness.You keep moving. It's great for your upper body and your lower body. And then you incorporate strength and it's just the best of both worlds."

And it's the kind of exercise that is adaptable for just about anybody, regardless of age and some physical limitations. 

"It's real, real easy for anybody to get into and anybody can do it," Walther said. "We've got people of all ages and levels right now. I think we've got from middle school on to my mom, who's here with tons of different ailments. It's just an awesome, awesome way to stay in shape."

BeyondDriven Fitness and Performance is located at 66 Main Street, Le Roy.  For more information, email info@beyondriven.com

Photos by Howard Owens

Photo: Batavia Downs signs

By Howard B. Owens

The signs in today's early evening at Batavia Downs.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Arc GLOW Friends and Family 5K set for Sept. 17

By Howard B. Owens

Registration is open for the Arc GLOW Friends and Family 5K, scheduled for Sept. 17 in Elba.

This is the 18th year of the event, which helps raise funds for Arc GLOW and raise awareness off the agency's programs to child, adults, and families with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Funds raised also contribute to the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship.

Registration is $20 per 5K entrant and $15 for the fun walk.

The after-party includes music, food, children's activities and the "Taste of the County."

To register, click here.

File photos from 2021 by Howard Owens

Law and Order: Corfu man accused of shoplifting at Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Eric P. Doleman, 52 of Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Doleman is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart valued at $128.04 on Aug. 23.  He was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket.

Donald Cooper, 39, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Cooper was arrested by Le Roy PD in relation to an incident reported at 1:31 p.m. on Aug. 22 at a location on East Main Street Road, Le Roy.  The details of the incident were not released. He was ordered to appear in Town of Le Roy Court on a later date.

Jeffery Guy Ellinwood, of Genesee Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Ellinwood allegedly violated an order of protection at 4:30 p.m., Aug. 19.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

 

Pedestrian reportedly hit by car on West Main at Union, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly struck a pedestrian on West Main Street, Batavia, at Union Street.

No word on injuries.

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: There has been no additional information transmitted for an update.

Oakfield Fire hopes to tap into community's generous spirit, draw in more volunteers

By Howard B. Owens

There's always a job to do in the Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department -- or any volunteer fire department in the county -- and if you can do a job, there is a job for you to do.

You should volunteer.

Not every job involves rushing into burning buildings or pulling injured passengers from mangled cars. Some jobs involve keeping track of people and materials or just cleaning up the fire hall.  All the jobs help the department fulfill its mission of keeping Oakfield safe.

That was the message Department President Joshua Finn and Chief Sean Downing conveyed when they invited a couple of local reporters to the Fire Hall on Monday.

They also wanted to show off the department's new rec room, which is also integral to Oakfield's effort to recruit more members.

"Some of the things that we want to do is get video game systems up there and have it way more comfortable so that we can get younger kids to have a spot, a place to hang out," Finn said. "Why not hang out here and play video games? If they're at least 16 they're able to go on calls, or those that might be, say, 14 are not able to go, but they may be up here with their friend. Now their friend goes out on the call, they hang back. You know, we hope they think and say hey look, that's pretty cool. Their friend is gonna come back and kind of say, 'Hey, I was at this car accident. It was cool. I got to help save a life,' that sort of thing, because if that does happen, we're hoping that it translates into the kids that are upstairs wanting to join."

Besides the kids, Finn believes Oakfield is a community with a generous spirit.  He suggests there are more people in the community who could and would volunteer if they just understood the need and the opportunity.

"I look at our community especially, and we have a lot of great people," Finn said. "The Oakfield Betterment Committee. That organization is fantastic, the things they do. I look at Suzy Zeliff who's running The Goose here in town, and what she has produced is unbelievable. We have a lot of great community members, and there's so much that we (the department) can offer people. Like Sean said, we have maybe 20 members that legitimately will respond to a lot of the calls out of a population of 5,000 residents. That's half of 1 percent."

An example of somebody from the community stepping forward to fill a need that wasn't being met was Ed Spence, a retired City of Batavia firefighter, who offered to become the department's chaplain.  He's helped a lot, being somebody for members to talk with after difficult scenes and performing religious functions within the department, Finn said. 

Downing noted Oakfield is not unique among local volunteer departments and maybe a little bit better off on staffing than some others, but that doesn't mean the need for more people in all parts of the organization isn't real.

"Everybody is struggling to get people during the day," Downing said. "You might get two people. Other times you get an EMS call for a stubbed toe or something and we get 13 people showing up. So, I mean, it's like it's feast or famine. So what we're trying to do is entice new members to come into the department."

Both Downing and Finn acknowledge that the training requirements for a firefighter or EMT can be pretty daunting, which is why they're suggesting people look for other ways they can help the department (though they also need people to join willing to go through that department).  They're also working with the county to find ways to streamline the training for people who might be willing to respond to a fire scene to help but not actually get involved in fighting the fire.  They can drive trucks, run pumps, help with hoses, and get nowhere near the fire.  But there are still risks involved in being on a fire scene, so some training is essential. 

Volunteers can also help with social media, fundraisers, and with serving on the fire board.  Finn mentioned one local businessman who has a family member in the department that he's hoping will take an interest in becoming a board member. His business experience could be invaluable, Finn summarizes, and with the financial strains in the department, more business experience on the board could be helpful.

"As years go on, one of the things that I've brought up is this building isn't getting any younger," Finn said. "We don't have a plan right now. That's one of the things that we've been talking about."

Clearly, Downing and Finn hope people will read this article and decide to at least explore the idea of helping out the Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department, or the department of the town where they live, and Downing encourages readers to visit ReadyGenesee.com.

"Come check us out," Finn said. "Come check us out on a Monday night. We're here. If you live in Genesee, on a Monday night, every county department in Genesee County has either a meeting or a training night. Check out your department. Everybody in the community knows somebody who's a member, ask them what they need. Find somebody that you know on Facebook.

"Especially in a small town like Oakfield, everybody knows somebody. You know, there are so many different things that we need help doing," he said. "Come check us out. And you know, there are so many things that go on in the volunteer fire service that people don't realize. Come check us out."

PreviouslyNew report addresses growing crisis in county's fire and EMS coverage

Top Photo: Oakfield members and family members hang out in the department's new rec room on the second floor of the Fire Hall.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Chief Sean Downing, Jamie Lindsley, president of the Oakfield Betterment Committee, Joel D'Alba, owner of Albion Pools, Tonisha and Andrew Pilc, Mike Harding, Attica Furniture, and Joshua Finn, president of the department's board of directors.

The rec room cost in excess of $12,000 was paid for almost entirely by donations and volunteer labor.  The Oakfield Betterment Committee was able to use its non-profit status to be a recipient of donations, such as $5,800 from The Home Depot.  D'Alba, an Oakfield resident, and somebody who would volunteer if training requirements could be modified so he could drive a truck and run a pump, made a cash donation.  Tonisha and Andrew supplied both volunteer labor and the effort and inspiration to get the project off the ground from consulting with local developers to lining up donations.  Harding made a cash donation and also donated the eagle and flag painting to hang in the rec room.

Photos of what the second-floor room looked like before the remodel.

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