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Oakfield

Photo: Four generations of Roy Joseph Muntz

By Howard B. Owens

Holly Lindsey submitted this photo of four generations of Roy Joseph Muntz. Roy Sr., left, is 81. Roy Jr., is 55, Roy III, is 31 and holding Roy IV. The Muntz family lives in Oakfield and Batavia.

O-A senior class hosts public forum on political platforms of Obama and Romney

By Billie Owens

The Oakfield-Alabama High School Senior Class invites the public to a community forum where they will explain the political platforms of President Obama and Governor Romney.

Local, state and regional representatives will be on hand to explain the impact of these platforms on Western New York.

The forum begins at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the school auditorium, located at 7001 Lewiston Road, in Oakfield.

Representatives slated to attend are:

Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Republican 61st District

Event Date and Time
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Oakfield residents 'heartbroken' over missing African Grey Parrot

By Howard B. Owens

We just received this message from Mary Pentycofe:

ATTENTION!!!!!! All people in or around the Oakfield area. Please be on the look out for our lost African Grey Parrot. Answers to "Benny." Is known to whistle the Indiana Jones Theme song and "Hi-ho" when prompted. He went missing about 7 p.m. Thursday night 10-25-12 from 7 Coe Ave. in Oakfield, NY. If found, there is a $50 reward. Please help us find our bird. This is not a joke, we are all heartbroken.

If found or seen please call  585-307-1116.

UPDATE: Benny has been located. Mary said he's home safe. She thanked all who helped, including the Oakfied Fire Department.

 

Students put behind the wheel of a simulator to learn about the dangers of distracted driving

By Howard B. Owens

Students at Oakfield-Alabama High School got a little firsthand experience today at trying to drive while distracted and State Police and Nationwide Insurance hope they get the message: Don't do it.

The insurance company, in conjunction with the State Police, brought in a computer simulator that allows students to put their hands on a steering wheel and drive through a neighborhood while dealing with multiple distractions.

There's the friend they're giving a ride home who won't wear her seat belt, talks incessantly and wants them to drive faster so she can get home sooner.

She also asks them to try phoning her brother and then sending him a text message. The phone pops up on the screen allowing them to finger-tap in numbers while keeping one hand on the steering wheel.

Meanwhile, deer and skateboarders cross their path, they must stop for a stop sign in front of a cop, pull on a freeway and merge into traffic.

"Distractions take away the focus of being in that car and driving, and when you take away that focus, that's when accidents happen," said Trooper Jeffrey Bebak.

Bebak said for teens, distracted driving can be a particularly deadly combination.

"They all feel they’re invincible," Bebak said. "In a general health perspective, they’re young, they feel great, they feel like they can do multiple things at once, including driving.

"You couple that with just their basic inexperience behind the wheel and you add the texting or use of a mobile device, it’s a bad combination. Too often that’s when accidents happen because of that feeling that I’m invincible."

Michael Granica, a financial specialist with Nationwide, said he's been involved in the simulation presentation before and he believes the simulator is making a difference.

"We had several students come back to us after the program and tell us that they thought about putting their phones down and they haven’t used them since," Granica said. "So if we’re able to change the habits of one person while they’re driving, everything we’ve done to promote safe driving has been worth it."

Law and Order: Scottsville man accused of impersonating parent, defrauding Elba school

By Howard B. Owens

Damon Bradford, 18, of Scottsvile Mumford Road, Scottsville, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd. Bradford is accused of impersonating a parent and defrauding Elba High School.

Jeremy D. Lyons, 27, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Lyons is accused of violating an order of protection. Lyons was arrested by State Police and jailed on cash bail. No further details released.

Josue Garcia-Basilio, 28, of no permanent address, was arrested by State Police on an unspecified federal felony. Garcia-Basilio was jailed on a bail bond. No further details released.

Grand Jury Report: Woman accused of possessing stolen jewelry from Target

By Howard B. Owens

Suzanne Dizak is indicted on counts of criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Dizak is accused of possessing jewelry stolen from Target on April 1 when she allegedly knew the property was stolen. The total value of the jewelry was reportedly $1,171.58. On that same date, Dizak is accused of possessing heroin.

Brian P. Griffen is indicted on counts of burglary, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th. Griffen is accused of breaking into a building on Fisher Road, Oakfield, sometime between June 12 and June 26 and stealing a dune buggy, Yamaha Kodiak 4-wheeler and a Honda dirt bike.

Luis Ramos Perez is indicted on felony counts of aggravated DWI and aggravated driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Perez is accused of driving drunk May 6 on Route 262, Byron, with a child under age 15 in the car.

Law and Order: State Police arrest Batavia woman on DWI, drug charges

By Howard B. Owens

Jessica L. Connolly, 34, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana. Connolly was stopped by State Police at 4:15 p.m., Saturday, on Route 98 in Alexander.

Timothy Billingsley, 21, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Billingsley was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 12:27 p.m., Friday.

Justin Marc Wotherspoon, 26, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court. He was jailed on $200 bail.

Law and Order: Woman accused of writing 16 checks on closed bank account

By Howard B. Owens

Ajia R. Hasenauer, 19, of 73 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and 16 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. Hasenauer is accused of cashing 16 checks from a closed bank account. Hasenauer was jailed without bail.

Cynthia H. Owens, 37, of 28 Buell St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Owens was taken into custody on a warrant and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Derek G. Thomas, 36, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Thomas is charged with a felony for allegedly violating an order of protection by being at the residence of a protected party. He is also accused of a parole violation. Thomas was jailed without bail.

Dajuandrick C. Gardner, 35, of 212 State St., Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Gardner was charged in connection to an alleged incident at his residence at 5:35 a.m., Tuesday. Gardner was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Five people were charged with possession or consumption of alcohol under age 21 at 11:51 p.m., Saturday, at College Village. Charged were Kiera Monet Smoot, 19, Trevlyn Caljic Hentry, 19, Brendaliz DeJesus, 19, Ilkia Solana, 19, Drema Ramona Bautista, 19.

Kara Brooke Sass, 18, is charged with criminal trespass. Sass is accused of being at Residence Hall at College Village at 11:21 p.m., Oct. 6, after being barred from the property.

Jeffrey Michael Johnson, 24, of Forest Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with appearing in public under the influence of a narcotic or drug other than alcohol. Johnson was jailed on $300 bail.

Summer Ogden, 36, no permanent address, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Ogden is accused of trespassing on Batavia Housing Authority property.

One man killed another seriously hurt in accident on Lockport Road, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A one-car accident on Lockport Road, Oakfield, claimed the life of a 21-year-old South Alabama resident and sent another man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The accident occurred at 7:19 p.m. near the intersection of Bliss Road.

Stephen T. Ferry was driving a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix when he lost control of the vehicle for unknown reasons. The car slid sideways, struck a small pine tree and then a larger tree on the driver's side.

Ferry was pronounced dead at the scene.

His passenger, 19-year-old Jonathan T. Coombs, of Orchard Street, Oakfield, was apparently ejected from the vehicle.

Coombs was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight with what authorities describe as life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the accident has not been determined.

Responding to the accident were Oakfield and Alabama fire departments and Mercy EMS.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy James Diehl, Deputy Eric Seppala, Deputy Patrick Reeves and Investigator Timothy Weis.

Assisting at the scene were Deputy Joseph Graff and Trooper Holly Hansel.

(Initial Report)

Fatal accident reported in Oakfield, on Lockport Road

By Howard B. Owens

Investigators are on scene in the area of 2625 Lockport Road, Oakfield, for a fatal motor vehicle accident.

At least one other person was seriously injured and transported by Mercy Flight to an area hospital.

The vehicle hit a tree and came to rest about 50 feet off the road and at least one person was trapped in the vehicle.

It's unknown at this time if there were other victims.

The accident was reported at 7:19 p.m.

Oakfield Fire and Mercy EMS were dispatched and Alabama Fire provided fire police to close Lockport Road.

Oakfield Fire is now back in service.

Culvert replacement planned for North Pearl Street, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Please be advised the Genesee County Highway Department will be replacing a culvert on North Pearl Street in the Village of Oakfield.

Pavement cutting will be performed on Friday with a temporary road closure during this time. The road will remain open over the weekend, however, the road will be closed on Monday, Oct. 15, to allow for the culvert replacement and relocation of storm drains to occur.

The project is anticipated to take less than two weeks to complete.

Photos: Fall day drive through Oakfield, Alabama and Indian Falls

By Howard B. Owens

With the afternoon shaping up as a beautiful fall day and some time on my hands, I took a drive out toward Alabama with the intention to make some pictures. Here are six shots that I came across.

Above, cattle in pasture off Bliss Road, Oakfield.

Tree on Roberts Road.

White birch off Sour Springs Road.

Stand of Pine Trees, Sour Springs Road.

Hay field off Roberts Road.

Sunset off Route 77 near Indian Falls.

Educators announce 38 local students will perform in music festivals

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee/Wyoming Music Educators announce that 38 local students will be performing at three music festivals in November and December.

Miranda Graham (chorus-alto) from Le Roy has been accepted to Conference All State that will be held in early December. This is the highest choral honor for vocalists in New York. Miranda was chosen from a large field of students due to her high score at State Solo Festival last spring. Dillon Hirsch (saxophone) from Elba was chosen as an alternate.

Thirty-six other students were chosen to represent their schools at Area All State, which is a group of select singers from nine surrounding counties. All students had to audition at a state solo festival held late last spring.

These festivals will take place for seventh- through ninth-graders (jr. high
orchestra/chorus/band) Nov.  2-3, and for 10th-12th-graders (sr. high orchestra/chorus/band) Nov. 16-17.

The entire Genesee County list is below:

CONFERENCE ALL STATE:
Miranda Graham (chorus-alto) -- Le Roy
Alternate: Dillon Hirsch (sax) -- Elba

AREA ALL STATE
Alexander:
Jr. High Chorus -- Hunter Doran, Alynn Franclemont, Matthew Genaway, Mary Guarino, Marissa Scharlau

Sr. High Chorus -- Mitchell Boughton, Aaron Guarino, Nick Guarino

Batavia:
Jr. High Chorus -- Madison Hoerbelt, Tessa Lynn
Jr. High Band -- Ross Chua, Celia Flynn, Andrea Gilbarto

Byron-Bergen:
Sr. High Chorus -- Sarah Donovan, Andrew Magin, Kelsey Swinter
Sr. High Band -- Lucas DeValder

Elba:
Sr. High Band -- Dillon Hirsch

Le Roy:
Jr. High Chorus -- Katherine Funderburk, Sophia Matla,
Jr. High Orchestra -- Thomas Dunn, Sophie Farnholz,
Jr. High Band -- Joshua Laurie, Kieran O'Halloran, Jennifer Stotz
Sr. High Chorus -- Rachel Glucksman, Miranda Graham,

Pembroke:
Jr. High Chorus -- Ryan Curtis, Grace Fingerglow, Samantha Quaranto, Maisy Ross, Sindel Wille
Jr. High Band -- Katie Brown
Sr. High Band -- Matt Kowalski

Oakfield:
Jr. High Chorus -- Sara Anzalone
Sr. High Chorus -- Eliza Pionessa

St. Joseph's
Jr. High Chorus -- Fiona Beck, Kyra Stella

OA varsity volleyball team holds game to benefit breast cancer research

By Billie Owens

The Oakfield-Alabama Hornets Volleyball Team will be hosting a Dig Pink Volleyball game at 5:30 p.m.on Friday, Oct. 5. The varsity match starts at 6.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, serving contest, and refreshments. Admission to the game will be donation only. All proceeds will go to the Side Out Foundation to support breast cancer research.

Event Date and Time
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At half-time, Blue Devils and Hornell tied 14 to 14

By Billie Owens

At half-time, the football game between between the Batavia Blue Devils and Hornell is tied 14 to 14.

Hornell came into the game with 43 straight consecutive wins.

Look for complete coverage Saturday.

UPDATE 8:54 p.m.: Complete coverage is currently available via WBTA radio.

UPDATE: At end of third, Hornell 20 to 14.

UPDATE: Final, 30-14.

GCC Spring 2012 Dean's List honorees

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College named 633 students to Spring 2012 Dean's List. Students earned a quality point index of 3.50-3.74.

This year's honorees, with their hometowns, are listed below:

Basom

Staci Casper
Andrew Greene

Bergen

Ashley Spangenburg
Jason Birch
Luke Stacy
Amanda-Kay Sands
Jeanette Menzie
Garrett MacDonald

Byron

Reed Olmstead
Morgan Midwick
McKenna Downey
Charlotte Donahue

Corfu

Laura Holovics

Darien Center

Michelle Waldo
James Odell

Elba

Lauren Hughes

Le Roy

Corrie Doeller
Debra McKnight
Rachael Panepento

Oakfield

Alyssa Esola
Cady Glor
Zaneb Silmi
Katie Engle

Pavilion

Jamie Haentges
Taylor Lafferty
Sydney Case
Sarah Nugent



Genesee Community College offers more than 60 academic programs and certificates, including the brand new Veterinary Technology A.A.S. degree and Polysomnographic Technology A.A.S. degree, (the study of sleep disorders).

Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina, and Warsaw, as well as through online classes in the Distance Learning program.

College housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and outside of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being 'high-tech' and 'high-touch'. Find out more at www.genesee.edu.

School bus and big rig collide on West Main Street Road

By Billie Owens

A school bus and a tractor-trailer have collided at 3299 W. Main St. Road. The school bus is on its side. Injuries unknown. There is one student and the bus driver and they are both out of the vehicle. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with Mercy EMS. Oakfield and Darien are asked to stand by in quarters along with Town of Batavia firefighters. Mercy Flight is put on standby. This is west of Wortendyke Road.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: Wortendyke at Route 5 is closed, along with Route 5 at Hopkins Road. Sheriff's deputies are rerouting traffic until fire police can respond. Mercy Flight will not be needed. The Pembroke school district has already called a tow truck for the bus.

UPDATE 12:18 p.m.: The semi's driver is also out of his vehicle. Response from Oakfield, Darien and Town of Batavia is cancelled.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: The two adults will be sign-offs. There is one pediatric patient to be transported to the hospital.

UPDATE 12:29: "Until we get the bus on its wheels, the road's going to be closed for awhile." Meanwhile, truck traffic is backing up. A State Trooper is responding to the scene.

UPDATE 12:43 p.m.: The child is being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: The roadway is reopened. All units clear.

Batavia suffers first loss, GR has three undefeated teams, Le Roy gets third win

By Howard B. Owens

The Blue Devils dropped off the list of the undefeated in Genesee County on Friday with a 30-12 loss to Livonia.

Le Roy kept its perfect record in tack with a 35-28 over Avon, while in the Genesee Region Conference, three teams sit atop the standings at 3-0 -- Elba/Byron-Bergen, Notre Dame and Attica.

Elba/BB beat Holley 27-7 with Zack DuBois rushing for 156 yards on 22 carries, scoring once. QB Zack Gillard was 7-14 for 167 yards and two TDs. He also carried the ball five times for 29 yards and a touchdown. Austin Yockel had four receptions for 141, including a 44-yard TD reception. Ryan Morse had a 10-yard TD reception. Andy Underhill made 23 tackles. Brandon Naylor had 14 tackles.

Notre Dame moved to 3-0 with a win over Alexander 36-6. Tim McCulley completed 11 passes on 20 attempts for 187 yards, including TD tosses of 14 and 35 yards to Charlie Hebert and Jared Thornton. Nick Taylor had TD runs of 26 and 89 yards. Andrew Mullen carried the ball 11 times for 65 yards. For Alexander, Dylan Scharlau had 18 carries for 117 yards and QB Nelson Burke was 8 of 17 for 128 yards, including a TD pass to 36-yard TD to Sam Browne. Burke was intercepted twice.

Pembroke dropped to 0-3 with a loss to undefeated Attica 47-0. Four turnovers by the Dragons led to four Attica TDs. Pete Thomas had 12 tackles for Pembroke and Caleb Patterson and Jared Kolmetz each recovered two fumbles.

For Batavia, in the Blue Devils 30-12 loss to Livonia, Nick Canzoneri rushed for 40 yards on eight carries, scoring once. James Soggs had 11 carries for 85 yards.

Le Roy's third win was highlighted by Peter Privitera's 181 yards on 39 carries and two touchdowns. Both Marcus Mistersaro and Dylan Johnson scored on the ground. T.J. Crye was 13-of-27 for 173 yards.

Oakfield-Alabama improved to 1-2 with a win over Finney (1-2), 20-16. Ryan Emery scored twice and carried the ball for 99 yards. Chris Nanni rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Danny Monachino and Tommy Geiss each recorded 12 tackles.

Judge Road reopened today by DOT

By Howard B. Owens

Route 63/Judge Road in Oakfield, closed for three weeks after a sink hole developed, was reopened today by the Department of Transportation.

Lori Maher, spokeswoman for the DOT said officials determined that the sink hole was the result of minor settlement and probably exacerbated by dry weather, which lowered the water table.

The situation has been "remedied" Maher said and the detour removed.

PHOTO: Not previously published, taken a week ago.

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