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Oakfield

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
-

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.

Law and Order: Alleged shoplifter accused of threatening Walmart employees with a knife

By Howard B. Owens

Andrew Zimba Perdock, 25, of 17 Holland Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is accused of shoplifting from Tops. He is also charged with menacing, 2nd, and attempted petit larceny. Perdock was observed allegedly putting merchandise in a backpack while inside Walmart. After Walmart were alerted to the situation, Perdock reportedly removed the items from the backpack. Perdock allegedly displayed a knife with the blade showing while in the presence of Walmart employees.

Brian J. Lambert, 30, of 1 Prune St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Alert Cedar Street residents spotted a suspicious vehicle pull behind Arctic Refrigeration and observed an individual allegedly stealing scrap metal. Lambert was later located at his residence and the allegedly stolen property was recovered and returned.

Alexis A. Czaja, 30, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny. Czaja is accused of shoplifting from Tops.

Kristine Szumigala, 38, of 260 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Szumigala is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General.

Samantha A. Bowles, 22, of 33 Williams St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Batavia PD officers received a report of loud noise coming from a residence on Williams Street. On call back, the person making the complaint reported a physical altercation. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Bowles, who was described as agitated and irate. Bowles reportedly pushed past officers during questioning. Bowles reportedly physically struggled with officers while being taken into custody.

Steven N. Utter, 26, of Route 96, Waterloo, and Cory A. Miles, 34, of County Line Road 13, Shortsville, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Utter and Miles were arrested following an investigation by Deputy Brad Mazur and Deputy Jason Saile into a suspicious vehicle at Wilson Farms on South Lake Road, Pavilion. Both men were jailed on $2,000 bail.

Joseph C. Wind, 42, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Wind is accused of stealing $4,000 cash while employed at The Home Depot.

Brandy R. Douglas, 33, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Douglas is accused of shoplifting $48 in merchandise from Target.

Patrick D. Moore, 34, of Strouts Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Moore is accused of shoplifting $29.99 in merchandise from Target.

Brett M. Doran, 21, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with obstruction of breathing and harassment, 2nd. Le Roy PD responded to a report of a disturbance where a female was heard screaming to stop choking her. Doran is accused of kicking the female in her face and choking her during an argument. Doran was jailed on $500 bail.

Kyle Andrew Bilby, 22, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, and Adam Andrew Dixson, 22, of Cary Avenue, Oakfield, are charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. Bilby and Dixson were arrested after Deputy Patrick Reeves stopped to check on a suspicious condition at St. Cecillia Cemetery and allegedly found the defendants smoking, and in possession of, marijuana.

Darrel D. Smith, 56, residence not listed, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and DWAI. Smith was stopped by State Police at 3:16 a.m., Saturday, on Route 77, Darien.

Great Dane on the lam, cornered in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A gargantuan dog, believed to be a Great Dane, has no collar and has been running loose for most of the day. Earlier, an animal control officer tried approaching it, but the canine would not allow the officer near. Now, a woman tells dispatch she has a Great Dane in her custody at her car, parked at Hutton Road and Maple Avenue in Oakfield. After an officer finishes investigating the allegation of constantly barking huskies in Alabama, she will meet up with the Dane's temporary handler.

UPDATE 6:43 p.m.: The woman who's keeping tabs on the enormous pooch is munching on pretzels while awaiting the animal control officer. No word on whether she's sharing, but we're betting she is as there is little alternative in this situation with said quarry.

UPDATE 6:49 p.m.: "Genesee, I'm in the vicinity of the stray Great Dane."

UPDATE 7:41 p.m.: The officer has the dog and is pound bound. Is anyone missing a Great Dane? (The breed is not exactly inconspicuous. (It's irrefutable, scientific fact that its size is dwarfed by factors not yet quantifiable, for example, a big heart.))

Winners from Oakfield's Labor Day parade judging

By Howard B. Owens

Here are the winners from Monday's Labor Day parade in Oakfield.

Fire Department Trucks
1st Place – Oakfield Tanker 73
2nd Place – Byron Grass & Brush 37
3rd Place – East Pembroke Grass & Brush 60

Performance Groups
1st Place – Alexander Fire Department Marching Band
2nd Place – Akron Tigers Marching Band
3rd Place – Oakfield-Alabama Central School Marching Band

Floats
1st Place – Oakfield Historical Society
2nd Place – Haxton Memorial Library
3rd Place – GAHA – Batavia Ramparts Hockey
Honorable Mention – Bennett Avenue Preschool
Honorable Mention – Oakfield Boy Scouts Troop #19

Judges Choice Grand Prize Award – B&J School of Dance

Photos: Oakfield Labor Day Parade

By Howard B. Owens

The members of the Oakfield Betterment Committee couldn't have asked for better parade weather today.

Hundreds of people lined the parade route, which began at Oakfield-Alabama Central School and stretched a village mile to Elroy Parkins Memorial Town Park.

The hour-long parade featured all the floats, bands, fire trucks and other small-town hoopla any true parade fan would appreciate.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Photos: Oakfield celebrates Labor Day

By Howard B. Owens

Oakfield's Labor Day celebration kicked off today with live music, fun for the kids, a craft show and food.

Tonight, there will be a fireworks display.

The fun continues Monday starting with a parade at 10 a.m.

On a less pleasant note today, their was a raffle for two prizes today, a handmade quilt and a Christmas tree skirt hand sewn by one of Oakfield's 80-year-old residents. 

After the prizes were awarded, somebody stole the skirt.

"Nice people," Melissa Haacke said. "They're going to enjoy Christmas with a stolen skirt."

Law and Order: Pavilion man accused of sexually abusing child years ago

By Howard B. Owens

Timothy J. Petrie, 41, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with one count of sexual abuse, 1st. Petrie is accused of sexually abusing a child under age 11 at his house several years ago. Following an investigation by Deputy Matthew Fleming with assistance from Deputy Matthew Butler, Deputy Cory Mower and Investigator Roger Stone. Petrie was arrested Aug. 24 and arraigned in Town of Pavilion Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. UPDATE: In July 2013, a jury acquitted Petrie on all counts.

A 16-year-old resident of Warsaw is charged with petit larceny. The youth was arrested at 6:35 p.m., Thursday, by State Police in the Town of Darien.

Christian M. Hilken, 21, of Pike Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Hilken is accused of hosting an underage drinking party on Wednesday evening.

Henry Lee Banks, 42, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Banks is accused of stealing scrap metal from a business on Orchard Street, Oakfield.

Law and Order: Driver whose car struck parked truck in Le Roy charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Kyle W. Nash, 25, of 7 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and felony aggravated unlicensed operation. Nash was involved in a motor vehicle accident Tuesday night in the area of 76 North St., Le Roy. Nash was reportedly looking for an item inside the vehicle and his car veered to the right and struck the rear of a tractor-trailer parked alongside the roadway. Two passengers in the vehicle were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Following arraignment, Nash was jailed on $5,000 bail.

David Bruce Piechowicz, 36, Eagan Drive, Lackawanna, is charged with trespass. Piechowicz allegedly went to the home of his ex-girlfriend after being told to stay away.

James J. Angelo, 48, of Churchville, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Angelo was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in the Town of Darien at 12:05 a.m., today.

Reuben L. Bumpus, 29, of Newark, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08. Bumpus was stopped by State Police in the City of Batavia, at 12:35 a.m., today.

Walter L. Knickerbocker, 54, of South Street, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful growing of cannabis. Knickerbocker was arrested by State Police at 12:45 p.m., Tuesday. No further details were released.

A 14-year-old from Albion is charged with petit larceny after being arrested by State Police for allegedly shoplifting at Kmart on Tuesday. No further details were released.

Kelvin B. Murphy, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and second-degree harassment/physical contact. Murphy was arrested by State Police Tuesday for an alleged incident reported at 1:01 a.m. in Oakfield. He was ordered held in jail, no bail information given in the report. No further details released.

Law and Order: Man who fell from Buttermilk Falls arrested on trespass warrant

By Howard B. Owens

Brandon Charles Smart, 35, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Smart was arrested on a warrant out of Le Roy Town Court charging him with trespass. The charge stems from a June 13 incident at Buttermilk Falls, off North Road, Le Roy, in which Smart fell to an outcrop of rocks at the falls and had to be rescued. 

Smart is also charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speed not reasonable and prudent, moving from lane unsafely and unlicensed operation. Smart was reportedly involved in a single-car property damage accident at 1:11 a.m., Saturday, on Knowlesville Road, Alabama.

Nicholas Joseph Pascucciq, 22, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Pascucciq turned himself in on a county court bench warrant on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th and 5th. After his arrest, the additional charged were issued stemming from an incident in Le Roy on July 14. Pascucciq was held on the warrant.

Walter B. Hale, 34, of Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI and three counts of felony aggravated DWI. Hale was charged under Leandra's Law for allegedly driving while intoxicated with three children in his car. Hale was stopped on Route 63 by State Police. According to troopers, he failed a field sobriety test and blew a BAC of .09. Hale was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Christopher J. White, 56, of North Chili, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and unlawful possession of marijuana. White was stopped on Route 33 in the Town of Bergen by State Police for allegedly failing to dim his headlights. He was allegedly in possession of marijuana and a glass smoking pipe. According to troopers, White's BAC was .22.

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