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Oakfield

The shoe mystery continues

By Traci Turner

In addition to the dozens of women's shoes in Oakfield, shoes are nailed to utility poles on sections of Galloway Road and North Pembroke Road in Batavia. Much like the residents on Hutton Road, the Batavia residents said they have no idea where the shoes came from or what they mean. Whoever is responsible must have nailed all the shoes up around the same time because neighbors said they started noticing them about three weeks ago, too. I also found a sneaker and a slipper in Batavia that matched the ones in Oakfield.

Law and Order: Elba women accused of supplying alcohol to minors

By Traci Turner

Crystal M. Bouter, 26, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with two counts of giving or selling alcohol to a minor. Bouter allegedly supplied alcoholic beverages to minors.

Lee C. Clark, 35, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, DWI, refusal to take a breath test, failure to keep right, moving from a lane unsafely, speeding and driving while talking on a cellphone. Clark was pulled over on Lockport Road in Oakfield by Deputy James Diehl. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Douglas J. Ostrander, 57, of North Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, DWI, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, speeding and driving with license restrictions. Ostrander was pulled over on Buffalo Road in Bergen for traffic violations when Deputy Joseph Corona allegedly ound him to be in an intoxicated condition.

Shannon K. Kestler, 41, of Jefferson Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Kestler is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's in Batavia.

Joseph A. Sunday II, 19, of South Lyndonville Road, Lyndonville, is charged with petit larceny. Sunday allegedly stole items from Kmart in Batavia.

Benishio C. Coger, 19, of Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. State police pulled over the car Coger was riding in for alleged tinted windows in Pembroke. An investigation revealed he allegedly possessed a cigar containing approximately one gram of marijuana.

Hutton Road in Oakfield has a lot of sole

By Traci Turner

It's fairly common to see a pair of sneakers dangling over a power line but not every day do you come across shoes nailed to utility poles. If you travel down Hutton Road in Oakfield, you will find one woman's shoe attached to every utility pole between Maple Avenue and Route 63. The shoes were nailed up about a couple weeks ago. After talking with officials from the Town of Oakfield and employees from the U.S. Gypsum Oakfield Plant, no one knows who nailed them up or the meaning, if any, behind it.

A similar phenomenon, the Shoe Tree, exists in the Town of Yates. Hundreds of shoes are nailed to four ash trees at the corner of Foss and Lakeshore roads. It's one of Orleans County's main attractions. The shoe craze began after a man threw his girlfriend's old shoes into the trees. The man started a trend and locals have been adding to the collection ever since.

Whether someone was cleaning out their closet or trying to start a trend in Oakfield remains a mystery.

'Grease' 'is the word' - and the movie - Friday night in Oakfield Town Park

By Billie Owens

The Oakfield Betterment Committee presents free "themed" movie nights throughout the Summer at 8:30 p.m. at Oakfield Town Park. This week's feature is "Grease” on Friday, July 24th. This will also be "Neon Night." All ages are welcome – bring your favorite chair, blankets, and pillows. For more information, visit www.oakfieldbetterment.com.

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Two local men participated in the 2015 Trans Am Bike Race

By Traci Turner

(To support a local cause, Bruce Gerould wore a Navy jersey and Mark Proia wore an Army jersey for the "Men of Courage." The organization is a ministry of the Batavia Assembly of God Church that coordinates free hunting and fishing trips for wounded veterans. The ministry set up a Facebook page so people could track their progress and make donations.)

Bruce Gerould, of Oakfield, and Mark Proia, of Pavilion, pedaled more than 4,400 miles from Oregon to Virginia in the 2015 Trans Am Bike Race.

They set out to finish the bike race in 33 days and rode an average of 132 miles per day to accomplish their goal. They crossed the finish line on July 9. 

The race started in Astoria, Ore., on June 6 and ended in Yorktown, Va. The course was composed of all roads and went across 10 states.The race was self-supported so there were no entry fees, official checkpoints or prizes. Participants rode at their own pace and were responsible for their own food and lodging.

The two friends started their journey each day at 6 a.m. During the day, they took short breaks every three hours and a longer break for lunch. Their lunch typically consisted of prepackaged muffins and sandwiches from a convenient store. After lunch, they continued biking until they found a hotel around 11 p.m.

Gerould enjoyed riding through the Rocky Mountains and seeing the scenery of each state.

"It's a good way to see the country and can be very relaxing," Gerould said. "There is so much that you see from a bike as opposed to a car whizzing by at 60 mph. We seen moose and had a bear encounter in Virginia. The people you encounter along the way are great, too."

They were constantly biking through mountains and rural areas. The only time Proia remembered biking on flat land was in Kansas but that even proved to be a challenge due to strong winds.

"One particular day going across Kansas there was a 20-mile stretch where we had to jog south directly into the wind," Gerould said. "It took three and and a half hours to go 20 miles."

They also encountered heavy rain and flooding traveling through Kentucky.

"We would get up in the morning and put on our rain gear," Gerould said. "By midday, if we were lucky, it would stop raining but usually by evening it would start raining again. There was a lot of days we would put the same wet clothes back on and start riding again."

Gerould considers it a huge accomplishment to not only finish the race but to do it within their set goal of 33 days. In the beginning, 41 people were riding in the race but only about half crossed the finish line.

Even though they both extensively trained for the race, they still are recovering from minor injuries. Gerould is recouping from a pinched nerve in his right shoulder and Proia spent a couple days in the hospital on antibiotics for an infected foot blister. They are both resting up before they participate in several local mountain bike races later this summer.

Oakfield Free Movie in the Park: Grease

By Jamie Lindsley

All are welcome to come watch the classic film musical "Grease" on our huge screen in the big pavilion  Wear your favorite neon attire and relive the 1950's with us. Oakfield Betterment Committee is providing this event free of charge to children of all ages. Concessions available for a nominal charge. Bring your chairs, blankets, and pillows and relax and join in for this blast from the past.

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Oakfield teenager sentenced to prison for robbery

By Traci Turner

Oakfield resident Preston S. Daigler, 17, was sentenced by Judge Robert C. Noonan to two years in state prison and three years of post-release supervision in Genesee County Court today.

Judge Noonan denied Daigler youthful offender status for his guilty plea to first-degree robbery. As a result, Daigler received prison time instead of probation.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, argued in court that Daigler had stated in phone calls with his mother while he was incarcerated that he wouldn’t complete probation and would run away when he got out of jail.

Emily Fusco, representing Daigler, said that he didn’t mean what he had stated in the phone calls. Daigler made a statement addressing the phone calls as well.

“I said some things I didn’t mean, your honor,” Daigler said. “I was scared and freaking out.”

Based on the seriousness of the case, Judge Noonan didn’t consider the crime to be a youthful offense.

Daigler and Tyshon L. Taylor, 18, hit the victim in the head with a gun, punched the victim and stole property. The incident happened in March at a residence on Central Avenue, Batavia.

Taylor was sentenced last week to three years in prison and three years of post-release supervision.

Rollover accident with entrampment reported on Drake Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

A one-car rollover accident is reported at 3768 Drake Street Road, Oakfield.

A person is trapped in the vehicle.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:08 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire's Rescue 20 requested to the scene. Fire Police requested to set up road blocks. Mercy Flight on ground standby.

UPDATE 10:10 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight landed, but wasn't needed. The driver was extricated and appeared to have no or only minor injuries. She was transported to UMMC. The car appeared to have been westbound and crossed the road and into a ditch, pitching it end over end.

One-car rollover on Maltby Road, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A one-car rollover accident is reported at 3238 Maltby Road. Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. One patient is complaining of a head injury.

Two-car accident in Oakfield, multiple injuries

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with multiple injuries is reported in Oakfield at Drake Street Road and Fisher Road. Oakfield Fire Department is responding, along with Elba fire and two Mercy medic units. Three people are involved but the extent of their injuries is not yet known. All are conscious. There is entrapment and extrication is needed.

UPDATE 7:17 a.m.: Fire police are asked to shut down traffic at Drake Street Road.

UPDATE 7:24 a.m.: An ambulance from Byron is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:43 a.m.: Two patients are being transported to UMMC. One is a 27-year-old male; the other is a 28-year-old male.

UPDATE 7:48 a.m.: One patient is being taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. None of the victims are seriously injured.

UPDATE 8:30 a.m. (by Howard): A deputy on scene it appears the Ford Explorer ran a stop sign and broadsided the other vehicle. No names released yet.

Law and Order: Woman at BJ's accused of obscenity

By Howard B. Owens

Amanda Rose Hagedorn, 25, of West Hazeltine Avenue, Kenmore, is charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 and disorderly conduct. Hagedorn allegedly voiced numerous obscenities while in a public place, BJ's Wholesale Club, at 6:22 p.m. Saturday. She was jailed on $1,000 bail. Additional charges are possible.

Kirk Arnold Thomas Jr., 30, of Woodstock Gardens, Batavia, is charged with three counts of grand larceny, 4th. Thomas is accused of stealing more than $1,000 in merchandise from Target on three separate occasions.

Duty Everett Caswell, 23, of North Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Caswell's vehicle was stopped in response to a complaint of an intoxicated driver on Angling Road, Pembroke, at 12:13 p.m. Monday. The traffic stop was made by Deputy Joseph Graff.

Law and Order: Duo in Le Roy accused of possessing a gun, drugs for sale, in presence of child

By Howard B. Owens

Harvey J. Lockhart, 32, of Batavia, and Kevin Q. Thomas, 26, of Batavia, are charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Lockhart and Thomas were arrested following a traffic stop in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD. As a result of an investigation, Lockhart was allegedly found in possession of loaded .22-caliber handgun in his shorts pocket as well as 10 bags of crack cocaine. Thomas was also accused of possessing a handgun and crack cocaine. A child was reportedly in the vehicle. Lockhart was held without bail and Thomas was held on $10,000 bail.

Bryan Henry Fetterly, 29, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with criminal tampering, 3rd. Fetterly allegedly threw property belonging to another person into a garbage dumpster that contained garbage. The alleged incident was reported at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Dekota Starr Leiser, 23, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Leiser allegedly stole tools from a business on Bank Street Road, Batavia. During the investigation by Deputy Joseph Graff, Leiser was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Philip William Czaja, 31, of Elm Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay fine. Czaja turned himself in. No further information released.

Kristen Anne Cianfrini, 30, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Cianfrini was arrested after a passerby found her 3-year-old child unattended, wandering near the roadside of Route 5, by a passing motorist. It's alleged that Cianfrini did not know her child had walked out of their residence and that the child had been wandering near the road for an undetermined period of time while Cianfrini was sleeping. The alleged incident was reported at 9:10 a.m. Saturday.

Adam Michael Jellison, 37, of Sierk Road, Attica, was arrested for an alleged probation violation. Jellison was issued on a warrant out of Wyoming County. He was arrested after he went to the Sheriff's Office on Park Road to retrieve found property and the warrant was discovered.

Melissa Courtney Cicatello, 23, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with criminal mischief. Cicatello allegedly intentionally damaged the car door of another person's vehicle.

It's getting harder for Oakfield Historical Society to cope with leaky roof

By Howard B. Owens

An aging and leaky roof on the Victorian home that houses the Oakfield Historical Society's Museum and Research Center is jeopardizing the collection of artifacts and documents in the society's care. Water and old things usually don't mix well and members of the society are concerned about the current condition of the roof, which they've been unable to repair.

The society is planning a series of fundraisers, including an upcoming golf tournament, but they're also making a direct appeal for donations through GoFundMe.com.

The cost of a new roof and needed repairs are expected to be at least $25,000.

Family donates defibrillator to have on hand at sporting events in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A defibrillator was donated by the Armbrewster family Saturday for use at the Oakfield Little League fields and in the fall for the Oakfield-Elba Titans football program. The donation was made in the memory of Chad Armbrewster, who passed away last year from a heart attack. Participating in the ceremony were Sonya Armbrewster and sons Gage and Gavin, along with Matthew Durham, president of the Little League, and coaches Jeff Hyde, Mike Cusmano and Tim Westcott.

GCC students earns Grand Prize and Honorable Mention in NY courts essay contest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College congratulates criminal justice student Jessica Cherry, whose essay earned the Grand Prize in the David A. Garfinkel Essay Contest sponsored by the Historical Society of New York Courts.

Cherry and the other two winners were recognized at an awards ceremony in the New York Court of Appeals Courtroom on Law Day, May 5, 2015. GCC paralegal studies major Connie Eadie was one of eleven students to receive honorable mention.

Both Cherry and Eadie are students of Assistant Professor Charles Scruggs, who has served as faculty mentor for seven of the students who've earned recognition in the Garfinkel Essay Contest.

"The success of our history, paralegal, and criminal justice students in this highly-competitive contest is gratifying," Scruggs said.

The Garfinkel Essay contest invites community college students from around the state to submit essays on topics of legal relevance. This year they were charged with addressing the question: "How have the New York Courts addressed equal human rights for the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Community?"

Cherry, 20, is from Oakfield and is studying Criminal Justice at GCC. In her essay, "A look at how NYS Legislation has profoundly impacted LGBT Family Law," Cherry writes that "In New York State, family is two women getting married and becoming wives; family is two men getting married and becoming husbands; family is a man and a woman getting married to become husband and wife; and family is all LGBT families being able to legally adopt including if it is their partner's child. New York has done an excellent job in striving for LGBT equality, especially in Family Law, and they have become a role model for many states that have yet to legalize same-sex marriages or certain adoption rights."

She goes on to chronicle the legal evolution of these rights and closes by stating "We can only hope that the states yet to legalize gay marriage and certain adoption rights follow in the footsteps of New York State, and all of the other states that have gotten on the right side of history, and they come to learn that love is love."

Cherry said she was shocked to have won. "It hasn't even fully sunk in yet, but now that it's becoming more real, I am extremely proud of that essay and the message it sends to readers." She said she wrote the essay based on her personal belief in "equal rights for everyone in all aspects of life, regardless of things such as sexual orientation."

The Historical Society provides a link to Cherry's full essay online at:  http://www.nycourts.gov/history/academic-center/garfinkel-essay-scholarship.html.

"While Jessica may have been surprised by her win, I was not," Scruggs said. "I have had the privilege of working with Jessica in two different courses and she has proved to be a conscientious student who consistently submits exemplary work. In this essay, the head and heart have worked in tandem to produce a well-researched and inspiring analysis of the struggle for LGBT equality."

As the Grand Prize Winner, Cherry receives a $1,500 cash award.

The contest also recognized Evan Eckfeld of Westchester Community College who won the $1,000 SUNY Community College prize and Joshua Cruz of Queensborough Community College who won the $1,000 CUNY Community College prize.

Cherry is the daughter of Rebecca Cherry and Michael Cherry. She has one older brother Ben Cherry. Upon graduation from GCC this spring she plans to transfer to SUNY Brockport in the fall to pursue a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a goal of becoming a police officer.

Gloria and Barry Garfinkel initiated the essay contest in 2008 in memory of their son, David. The competition seeks to draw students with a wide range of interests in law, history, social science and general research writing.

Law and Order: Suspect accused of selling suboxone to undercover agent

By Howard B. Owens

Zachary J. Ayres, 21, of Bankside Drive, Hamlin, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Ayres was arrested on a warrant for allegedly selling suboxone to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Shaun Claude Connors, 36, of Bissell Avenue, Depew, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Connors was arrested after being found sleeping in an unsecured, parked car on South Lake Road, Pembroke, at 8:21 a.m., May 20. 

Kimberly L. Winn, 61, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate exhaust and unlawful possession of marijuana. Winn was stopped at 9:09 p.m. Thursday in the Village of Le Roy.

Mark D. Nash, 56, of Curtis Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay fine. Nash has a conviction for issuing a bad check. He was arrested at the Monroe County Jail and jailed in Genesee County on $105 bail.

Rae Charlene Cook, 26, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass and resisting arrest. Cook is accused of entering a residence without being invited nor having the owner's permission to enter. Cook reportedly left the residence before officers arrived, but allegedly returned later and was located on the front porch of the residence and taken into custody after a struggle.

Mark Jackett, 45, and Courtney Hewitt, 33, of Irving Parkway, Oakfield, are charged with eight counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count each of third-degree grand larceny. Jacket and Hewitt were arrested following an investigation by the Department of Social Services. Jackett and Hewitt are accused of submitting an application, recertification and wage verification forms that failed to report Jackett's correct income. As a result, Jackett and Hewitt allegedly received $9,747.09 in Medicaid benefits they were not entitled to between Dec. 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013. Jackett and Hewitt turned themselves into the Sheriff's Office, were arraigned and released.

Eric K. Ricks, 36, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal obstruction of breathing. Ricks was allegedly involved in a domestic incident on State Street. He's accused of strangling and punching another person. He was also allegedly found in possession of marijuana. He was jailed on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond. Ricks was also arrested by the Sheriff's Office on a charge of disobeying a court mandate for allegedly violating an order of protection.

Charles I. Farraro, 27, of Barron Road, Mount Morris, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, moving from lane unsafely and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Farraro was stopped at 11:56 p.m. Tuesday on Walnut Street, Batavia, by Officer Darryle Streeter.

Samantha Lynn Gibbs, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with unauthorized use of a computer. Gibbs is accused of gaining access to a computer network of another person and posting items on that network.

Jason Scott Stanley, 22, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with trespass. Stanley was arrested following an investigation into an ATV accident at 10:14 p.m. Monday at 7394 Hutton Road, Oakfield. Stanley was allegedly on private property without permission when she was involved in an ATV accident. Also charged, Amber Lynn Sharick, 22, of Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Stacey Lynn Santillo, 39, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Santillo is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's.

ATV accident reported in Hutton Road area, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

An ATV accident is reported in the area of 7394 Hutton Road, Oakfield.  

A teenage female reportedly suffered a head injury. A person will meet a fire chief roadside and escort him to the accident location.

Mercy Flight out of Olean is on in-air standby with a 40-minute ETA, weather permitting. 

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 now available, 20-minute ETA.

UPDATE 12:32 a.m.: A responder subsequently told Howard, on scene at another incident -- the explosion/fire on Read Road, Town of Pembroke, that the girl was transported primarily as a precaution and that she didn't suffer severe injuries.

 

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