Tractor fire reported at Lamb Farms, Oakfield
Oakfield Fire Department is responding to a reported tractor fire at Lamb Farms.
The tractor is near a building.
Oakfield
Massachusetts man give more than a decade in prison for sex with 14-year-old girls
A Massachusetts man will serve two consecutive six-year prison terms for having sex with two 14-year-old girls, one of whom he originally met while she was traveling with her mother in Florida.
Raymond E. Allard, 27, who admitted to two counts of second-degree rape on July 15, told Judge Robert C. Noonan today that he wasn't the kind of person who had sex with children. While Allard has convictions in Florida for burglary and grand larceny, he's never faced sex-crime accusations before.
"I was foolish and I'm willing to face whatever penalty is coming to me for my behavior," Allard said. "I'm sorry to the girls. I'm sorry to the families. I'm sorry to the court. I'm sorry to myself."
Noonan wasn't sympathetic.
"You are a child rapist, a serial child rapist," Noonan said. "For you to stand here and say you're not that kind of person -- you are exactly that kind of person. You are the kind of person who can't be trusted to be in the presence of another child ever again and it's my job to put you away for as long as I can."
Allard was originally indicted on 64 charges of rape, 2nd, and criminal sexual act, 2nd, and agreed to a plea guilty on two counts in exchange for capping his sentence at 12-years maximum.
He'll be on probation for 10 years when he's released from prison.
Allard was indicted in May, accused of having sex with two 14-year-old girls in November and December of 2010.
According to reports at the time, Allard met the mother of one of the girls while in Florida and followed her and her daughter back to Oakfield.
"The circumstances of this case clearly indicated that Mr. Allard is a predator of young girls," Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl said. "His relationsip with one of the victims began outside of New York State as the result of a chance meeting and was continued when Mr. Allard decided to come to this area and continue his grooming of this child for his own sexual purposes."
Zickl said Allard's statements in the pre-sentence investigation further implicated Allard as depraved.
Allard allegedly described one of the victims as "sexually aggressive" and an "overwhelming sexual creature."
"This is Mr. Allard's feeble and feckless attempt to put himself in the best possible light," Zickl said. "I would submit that it puts him in an even worse light because he's blaming a 14-year-old girl for his predation on her."
The mother of one of the girls spoke and said that Allard's actions caused a lot of damage to her relationship with her daughter and they've never really talked about what happened. She said all she knew was what she read in her journals before her daughter was placed in a foster home.
"I'm very angry, very hurt and very distraught about what happened to my daughter," the woman said. "He's done a lot of damage to my family. I don't think he should ever be around children again."
Photos: Oakfield kicks off annual Labor Day festivities
From kettle korn to pop music there was no end of reasons to be in Oakfield today for the annual Labor Day picnic sponsored by the Oakfield Betterment Committee.
Games, crafts, music, family fun and of course food will all be part of the festivities again Monday starting with a parade at 10 a.m.
If you have trouble viewing the slide show below, click here.
Village of Oakfield planning water-rate increases
Village of Oakfield residents should brace for a couple of increases in their quarterly water bills.
The first increase will be 65 cents per thousand gallons of water. That 19.4-percent increase will take the rate from $3.35 to $4.
The increase, according to Mayor Rick Pastecki, is designed to eliminate a deficit in water spending for the village.
"Basically, we found out that our rates were so low that state officials were concerned we wouldn't be able to pay back our debt," Pastecki said. "Basically, we found through the process that our rates were considered extremely reasonable, which precluded any kind of grant money."
The village needs a low-interest loan -- which has been awarded, and a grant, also awarded -- for a new water tower and transmission line.
The current water tower is well beyond its useful life and the village has been able to secure a 2.5-percent loan and a $600,000 grant, but those funds will only cover a portion of the cost of the $3.4 million project.
And that cost -- though expected to be high -- hasn't been determined yet.
To pay for the tower, another water-rate increase will be necessary, according to Pastecki, but more calculations need to be done before he can estimate the potential second rate increase.
Information for this report courtesy of Geoff Redick of WBTA.
Motorcyclist suffers minor injuries after striking deer in Oakfield
A man from Oakfield suffered minor injuries after his motorcycle struck a deer on Hutton Road, Oakfield, at 10:30 p.m., Thursday.
Following the accident, David Hendershott, 21, of Orchard Park Road, Oakfield, was transported by private vehicle to UMMC.
Hendershott was north on Hutton Road, near Duck Pond Road, on a 2008 KMCU when his bike struck the deer. Hendershott was thrown from the bike and the motorcycle came to rest on the east shoulder of the roadway.
The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff.
Woman accused of failure to yield right of way, possessing marijuana following accident
A driver was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after being involved in a motor vehicle accident on Albion Road, Oakfield, at 2:58 p.m., Saturday.
The driver made a left turn into a drive and told Deputy Timothy Wescott that she had time to beat the southbound car that struck her 2006 Toyota.
The driver of the other car, a 1999 Chevy SUV, Lawrence E. Rebert, of East Shelby Road, Oakfield, was transported by ground ambulance to UMMC with minor injuries.
Charged with UPM and failure to yield the right of way was Andrea C. Rosone, 30, of Albion Road, Oakfield.
The accident occurred in the area of 6478 Albion Road, Oakfield.
Pembroke vs. Oakfield-Elba Youth Football
Photos from the JV Youth Football game 8/27/11. Pembroke was the home team.
Minis: Pembroke 8, Oakfield-Elba 0
JV: Pembroke 36, Oakfield-Elba 6
All pictures from the event are available here for readers of The Batavian.
Two-car accident with injuries in Oakfield
A two-car accident with injuries is reported in Oakfield in front of 6475 Albion Road, just north of Lockport Road. Oakfield Fire Department is responding along with medics.
UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: At least one person has been transported to UMMC with injuries, apparently non-life threatening. Two tow trucks have been called in. Law enforcement is at the scene.
UPDATE 3:58 p.m.: All units are clearing the scene, back in service.
Bail remains the same for Level 3 offender charged with in new sex abuse case
A Level 3 sex offender who is accused of committing new criminal sex acts against a child was denied his request for lower bail today.
Anthony L. Nicosia Jr., 54, of Albion Road, Oakfield, is being held in the Genesee County Jail on $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond.
The bail was set in the Oakfield Town Court.
Judge Robert Noonan gave both the prosecutor and defense an opportunity to speak to the bail issue, but then seemingly cut off the discussion saying that as a matter of law, the only thing he could do at this stage of the proceedings against Nicosia is decide whether the bail set by the lower court was excessive.
It's not, Noonan ruled, and he can't lower it at this stage.
Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl argued that bail certainly shouldn't be reduced, if anything it ought to be raised.
Zickl said the alleged victim has been interviewed further since Nicosia's arrest and detailed more alleged assaults. There is the possibility, Zickl said, of further criminal charges.
It's also possible, Zickl indicated, that there may be additional victims.
Nicosia, who was arrested earlier this week and charged with criminal sex act, 3rd, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, was convicted of sexual abuse in the first degree in April, 1995.
Four local resident earn degrees from Ithaca College
Four local residents recently received degrees from Ithaca College.
Megan Suttell, daughter of John and Kathleen Suttell, of Oakfield, received a degree from the Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies.
Allyce Barron, daughter of Bruce and Marie Barron, of LeRoy, received a degree from the School of Music.
Chad Condidorio, son of Joseph and Christine Condidorio, of Le Roy, received a degree from the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance.
Cody Chittenden, son of Franklin and Susan Chittenden, of Corfu, received a degree from the School of Humanities and Sciences.
Coeducational and nonsectarian, Ithaca College is a nationally recognized independent college of some 6,300 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. The college offers more than 100 degree programs.
Oakfield man accused of sexually abusing a child
A 54-year-old Oakfield man is being accused of sexually abusing a child and has been jailed on $15,000 bail.
Anthony Leslie Nicosia Jr., of Albion Road, Oakfield, was arrested following an investigation into sexual abuse that began June 1.
Nicosia is charged with criminal sex act, 3rd, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child.
The age of the child was not released.
The alleged abuse reportedly took place at his residence.
Silver SUV on Maltby Road strikes two dogs, keeps going
A silver SUV on Maltby Road reportedly struck two dogs and kept on going.
A deputy is dispatched to the area.
Photos: A drive back from Alabama on Saturday
Driving back from Alabama on Saturday afternoon, it was one of those late summer days that reminds you we're so lucky to live in Genesee County. And if you're reading this and don't live in Genesee County, my condolences.
I put the photos I took in a slide show so you can use the button in the lower left to expand the photos to a full screen view.
Level 3 sex offender reconsidering plea offer, also sentenced on failure to register conviction
A Level 3 sex offender convicted by a jury in June of failure to register his proper address will serve one-and-a-quarter to four years in State Prison, the maximum sentence on the charge available to Judge Mark H. Dadd.
Meanwhile, Ronald A. Smith, 19, of Batavia, was given until Friday to decide whether to take a plea offer on three felony counts of sexual abuse in the first degree.
Smith is accused of sexual contact with children under age 11 within months of being released from state custody on a prior sex crime conviction.
Public Defender Gary Horton said Smith indicated that he wished to proceed to trial on sexual abuse charges, but by this morning had a change of heart and wanted time to discuss the plea offer with his family, particularly his mother.
If convicted at trial of all three counts, Smith faces up to 21 years in prison (maximum sentences of seven years each, and if imposed consecutively).
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman has offered a maximum five-year sentence -- the minimum sentence available for a second violent felony offender -- in exchange for a guilty plea.
Smith is scheduled to reappear in Genesee County Court at 9:45 a.m., Friday, to either plead guilty or request that his case go to trial.
Smith was arrested in January on the sexual abuse and failure to register charges, less than four months after being released on a similar sexual abuse conviction. Smith reportedly lived for a time on Thorpe Street, on East Main Street and in Oakfield. He only ever registered his address on Thorpe Street.
The failure to register charge was tried separately from the sexual abuse charges and a jury returned a verdict in less than two hours on June 22.
Judge Dadd, out of Wyoming County, presided over the trial because Judge Robert C. Noonan was presiding over a civil trial in Orleans County at the time.
Noonan was on the bench today for Smith's plea cut-off hearing, which followed the sentencing by Dadd on the failure to register charge.
Five local students earn academic honors at SUNY Canton
SUNY Canton recently recognized students who excelled academically during the Spring 2011 semester.
To receive President's List honors, full-time students must earn a semester grade-point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. For Deans' List, full-time students must receive a GPA of 3.25. Part-Time Honors are awarded to students earning at least a 3.25 GPA on six to 11 credit hours.
Among the students who earned honors for academics were:
- Tarry M. Fluker, of Oakfield, a Legal Studies major, made Part-Time Honors. Fluker is a 1988 graduate of Le Roy Central School.
- Stacy E. Holley, of Bergen, a Criminal Investigation major, made President's List. Holley is a 2008 graduate of Byron Bergen Junior-Senior High School. This student also graduated from SUNY Canton in May.
- Nathan J. Herman, of Pavilion, an Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems major, made Deans' List. Herman is a 2009 graduate of Pavilion Central School.
- Quinton J. Jensen, of Pavilion, an Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems major, made Deans' List. Jensen is a 2009 graduate of Pavilion Central School.
- Justin A. Richardson, of Pavilion, an Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems major, made President's List. Richardson is a 2009 graduate of Pavilion Central School.
Bluegrass concert to be held at Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church
Like to hear a good banjo and fiddle? Well, you're in for a treat. The Wissmann Family will perform live bluegrass music starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church.
The church is located at 2210 Judge Road. A free-will offering is appreciated.
Possible structure fire reported on Lockport Road, Oakfield
A fire in a bedroom at 3561 Lockport Road, Oakfield, was knocked down quickly, shortly after tones went out for several fire departments to respond.
A chief on scene confirms the fire is knocked down.
Initially dispatched were all Oakfield units along with tankers and engines from Alabama, Elba and Batavia.
All Oakfield units can now proceed non-emergency and all other units are put back in service.
UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: All Oakfield units back in service.
Oakfield student named to Deans' List at RIT
John C. Koenig Jr., of Oakfield, was named to the Deans' List for the Spring 2011 quarter at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
To be named to the Deans' List, students must have a GPA of 3.4 or higher.
He will be a third-year student in RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology, where he is studying Packaging Science.
His Cooperative Education placement for the Winter 2011 quarter will be at Unilever in New Jersey, where he will be working in Sustainability and Design Engineering to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Cooperative education (co-op) is the most extensive and intensive of RIT’s experiential education opportunities.
Co-op is full-time, paid work experience directly related to one’s course of study. Each year more than 3,600 students complete more than 5,300 work assignments with more than 1,900 companies and organizations. Last year those students generated more than $30 million in earnings through their employment with industry, business, government, and the not-for-profit sector throughout the U.S. and in 40 foreign countries.
Thanks to the participants of The Second Annual Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up!
I would like to thank all who participated in and/or sponsored The Second Annual Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up! This year’s event took place on April 23, 2011 and a total of twenty enthusiastic participants met at the Oakfield-Alabama Central School parking lot. Here, we distributed work gloves, safety vests, and garbage bags that were donated to us by the Town of Oakfield and Highway Department along with a complementary event t-shirt. After each participant attained said equipment, we mapped out routes that groups of people would embark on to clear the clutter from the roadsides of our beautiful community. At 9:00AM, we all set out on different pathways and met up again at noon at Alli’s Cones and Dogs, where we were provided with free pizza and soft drinks. We discussed the most random item that each group found on their missions and also how disgusting it was that we were able to accumulate three full truckloads of debris just from three hours of volunteering. Most people never realize how much litter is actually lining the roads we drive on everyday and I encourage people to begin paying attention. Next year, we hope to gain even more participants and to create new contests so we can continue to make this annual event bigger and better. One last (HUGE) thanks to our sponsors who made this event possible: Genesee County Roofing, Alli’s Cones and Dogs, Becky’s Treasures and Crafts, Lamb Farms, and the Town of Oakfield/Highway Department!
Vehicle fire reported on Lockport Road, Oakfield
A vehicle is reportedly on fire in the area 3271 Lockport Road, Oakfield.
The vehicle is said to be next to a barn.
Oakfield Fire Department dispatched.
A chief is in the area and says smoke is showing.
Elba fire is being put on standby in their hall.
UPDATE 7:18 a.m.: Fire under control.
UPDATE 7:24 a.m.: Fire is out. Elba put back in service with Oakfield's thanks.
UPDATE 8:26 a.m.: Oakfield back in service.
