Oakfield

This 3-, possible 4-bedroom, 2-full bath needs nothing. Clean, well-kept modern and tasteful and move in ready-and mechanically updated throughout, what more do you want?

Large, clean basement with huge possible extra bedroom, storage room, utility room, AND another possible rec area/workshop? Has it! How about a second garage with oversized door and loft for a workshop? Got that! Quiet street, double lot that backs up to pretty wooded area? Got that, too!

Come check this one out and start your New Year out right Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today or click here to get the full listing.

Michael Alan Shetler, 27, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with two counts of second-degree strangulation, five counts of criminal obstruction of breathing, two counts of third-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, and two counts of criminal mischief, 4th. Shetler was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Kevin Forsyth and Deputy Richard Schildwaster into several complaints of domestic violence at a location on Main Street, Oakfield. Shetler was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Nicole Leanne Williams, 25, of Kings Street, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driving left of pavement markings. Williams was stopped at 2:45 a.m. Sunday on Quaker Hill Road, Elba, by Deputy Howard Wilson.

Amy R. Sellhorst, 31, of Beaufort Street, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Sellhorst is accused of hitting another person at a location on York Road, Le Roy, at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday.

Jason William Wolf, 41, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, driving a vehicle without an interlock device, and improper left turn. Wolf was stopped at 8:23 p.m. Thursday on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Jaclyn Kathryn Blackmer, 32, of Cabot Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, open container, driving left of pavement markings, and moved from lane unsafely. Blackmer was stopped at 2:33 a.m. Saturday on Main Road, Pembroke by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Joseph M. Smith, 41, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Smith posted bail and was released.

Alaysia L. Henderson, 18, of Gardiner Avenue, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Henderson was released on $500 bail.

Christina R. Aaron, 21, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Aaron was stopped by State Police at 11:51 p.m. Friday on Route 33, Bergen.

Heather M. Captain, 31, of Basom, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Captain was arrested by State Police in relation to an incident reported at 8:35 p.m. Aug. 27 in the Town of Alabama. No further details released.

Crystal D. Cardona, 27, of Bergen, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Cardona was stopped by State Police at 1:55 p.m. Nov. 7 on Route 33, Bergen.

A bit of Oakfield-Alabama Future Farmers of Amercia history was returned to the current FAA chapter at the school -- now in its second year -- at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis last month.

James Connors, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Idaho, had purchased a box of parliamentary items off of eBay and found within it a gavel inscribed with Oakfield-Alabama FFA.

When he found out O-A FFA would be at the convention, he reached out and at first members thought it was maybe a sales pitch, but after a little investigation, agreed to meet. Connors presented them with the gavel that must have belonged to the prior FFA chapter at the school.

Connors presented the gavel to OAE FFA President John Igoe, Secretary Lauren Reding, Reporter Karly Smith and Julia Uhrinek.

“We are thrilled to have a piece of Oakfield-Alabama FFA history back in our possession at school,” said FFA advisor Todd Hofheins.

Chapter members would like to learn more about the history of the gavel. If you know anything about it email thofheins@oahornets.org or call the school at 585.948.5211, ext. 4010.

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported in Oakfield at Main Street and Maple Avenue.

There are two vehicles and they are blocking.

Oakfield Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:34 a.m.: Two patients in one vehicle. A second ambulance requested to the scene.

This home is made for entertaining and features an awesome extra large family room with exposed beams and pretty bricked fireplace with wood mantle. Offers a large enclosed front porch for summer nights and extra hang out space. Three large bedrooms, with two in the basement if needed! The basement has been made into cozy rec space with laundry. Outside is awesome with fully fenced backyard with inground pool, back decks and side patio, the back of garage has been converted into changing area for pool! Tons of storage and great use of space!

Definitely one to check out, call Lynn Bezon at Relaint Real Estate today at 585-344-HOME (4663) or click here for more information on this listing!

Cali (Caliber) has escaped again and is lost again in the Maltby Road area of Oakfield/Elba. She has a white patch on her chest and green eyes and should be wearing a gray seresto collar. Yesterday, she snuck out and ran into a cornfield and hasn't been seen since. If you see her, call Nicole at (585) 813-8864.

Timothy John Beaudoin, 29, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding, and driving left of pavement markings. Beaudoin was stopped at 1:30 a.m. Sunday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello. 

Randy J. Heslor, 24, of Cherry Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and no seatbelt. Heslor was stopped at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Frank Mastrodonato, 33, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Mastrodonato was stopped at 12:02 p.m. Monday on Route 33, Bergen, by State Police.

A fire is reported inside the Dollar General store in Oakfield. Flames are showing, coming from an electrical box. There is smoke in the building also. The store, at 111 N. Main St., has been evacuated. Oakfield Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Alabama Fire Department.

UPDATE 9:08 p.m.: Oakfield command on scene says responding units can come in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 9:09 p.m.: Command asks Alabama to go back in service.

When the Oakfield Fire Department signed up eight new members a couple of years ago and then came to the village with a request for $18,500 to buy gear for the volunteers, Mayor Jason Armbrewster started to rethink how fire services are funded in Oakfield.

"Eight new members, that should be great news," Armbrewster said. "But to us as a board, we’re like, 'How are we going to come up with $18,500?' That’s when I was like, 'Why should we be controlling that destiny? Why should new members be a hindrance to our fire department?' ”

The village held a public hearing last night -- more of a fact-finding and public feedback process -- to explore the idea of getting the village out of the fire department business and forming either a fire district or a fire protection district.

One village resident wanted to know if this idea would save residents money.

"It’s not about saving money," Armbrewster said. "It’s about providing a better service."

Trustee David Boyle pointed out the idea could help provide both better fire protection and better services through the village for residents. He said the village has already had to cut other services just to keep the fire department going.

Currently, the fire department is part of the village and the Town of Oakfield contracts with the department for fire protection outside the village, paying for it with its own fire district. The fire district is a separate tax for town residents. The town accounts for more than 50 percent of the fire department's budget.

If the village decided to go ahead with the idea, it would need to decide whether to set up a fire district, which would need to happen jointly with the town, because it would cover both the town and the village, or a fire protection district, which would cover only the village. Then both the town and the village would contract with the Oakfield Fire Department (or conceivably, some other department) for emergency services.

The struggles for the department now include replacing aging fire apparatus, maintaining the fire hall at a cost of $18,000 a year, and recruiting volunteers.

Ambrewster said in his talks with other departments where recruiting isn't as difficult, good equipment and recruiting seem to go hand-in-hand.

Dan Luker, a longtime member of the Oakfield department, said he had one simple question: Why?

He said his mind wasn't made up on the proposal, but he was skeptical of the need.

"I don’t see where changing the structure of raising taxes is going to change people wanting to volunteer," Luker said.

Trustee John Igoe said he is also on the fire department board and he isn't sure the fire department will survive under the current arrangement.

Igoe, who said he will abstain on any vote on the proposal, said insolvency in a couple of years is a real possibility. 

"It comes to the point that maybe we have to look at shutting the doors because we don’t have any more money to keep the light and heat on because what we receive as a department isn't enough," Igoe said.

No decisions were reached at the meeting, but after two years of kicking the idea around, Armbrewster said a decision needs to be made soon.

"I either want to move ahead or say we’re not going to do this," Armbrewster said.

Photo: John Igoe and Jason Armbrewster.

UPDATE Sept. 26 5:15 p.m.: John Igoe's name was corrected in the story; it is not John Igor. The Batavian regrets the error.

An accident with unknown injuries is reported at Alleghany Road and Lockport Road.

A pole may be down. 

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Press release:

The Village of Oakfield will be holding a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25th, at Village Hall, 39 Main St. in Oakfield.

The purpose of the public hearing is to hear public comments the possible creation of a Fire Protection District or a Fire District that would encompass the Town and Village of Oakfield with the Oakfield Fire Department that would provide a better service to them and allow the Fire Department to become its own taxable entity or contract its services to local municipalities.

The Oakfield Fire Department is currently owned and operated through the Village of Oakfield and its budget with fiscal support from the Town of Oakfield. The Village would like to seek the input of the public, including, but not limited to, the Village and Town of Oakfield residents, to better decide if this process is in the residents' best interest. 

This is the first step toward beginning this lengthy process.

If it is decided to be in the residents' best interest, more public hearings must occur. Joint meetings between the Village of Oakfield, Town of Oakfield and the Oakfield Fire Department must occur in the case of a Fire District as all entities need to be in a formally binding agreement, which will, in turn, be subject to public permissive referendum.

In the case of a Fire Protection District, the Village and Town may have a fire protection contract with the Oakfield Fire Department separately as it will become its own entity.

All parties that are interested in attending will be given the opportunity to speak in front of the Village Board of Trustees if they so chose.

NOTE: This is a corrected version with some language changes sent over by the village. It was copyedited for AP Style and clarity.

The students in Tracy Schlagenhauf leadership class at Oakfield-Alabama High School saw the news of destruction in Texas and Florida in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma and considered the friends and family they have in those states and decided they wanted to do something to help.

They wanted to do something more than just raise money. They wanted to provide assistance in a way that was more tangible, so they came up with the idea of creating school, cleaning and hygiene kits.

Now they're trying to rally not just their fellow students at the elementary school and high school, they're trying to get the whole community involved.

"We don't usually dive right in the projects but the kids felt very passionate about what has been happening in our country," Schlagenhauf said. "There are a lot of them who have family and friends that have been affected by Harvey and Irma. We wanted to do something to help so the kids formulated a plan and decided to do it."

The goal is to create 150 to 200 kits to send south. They're hoping to have school and community members donate the items directly (items can be dropped off at the school's attendance office) but monetary donations will be accepted to help pay for shipping.

Here are copies of fliers listing items needed: here, here, and here.

Junior Rebecca Cramer said she and her friends were upset by the news they saw coming out of Texas and Florida and really wanted to do something to help. She said people need help getting a new start and money alone isn't enough.

"I think that we're going to have a good turnout and since it's the elementary school and the high school," Cramer said. "I think we're going to have a lot of supplies and we will be able to make a lot of kits between the school kit, the cleaning kit and the hygiene kit, and we will be able to donate a lot."

Senior Juliana Makarevic said she was devastated when she saw the news coming out of Texas and Florida.

"I was very upset," she said. "I have family down there, too, so this helps out in their community. We're all working together to help a bigger cause."

Top photo: Bryson Tobolski, Seth Seppala, Trevor Maier, Lindsey Walton, Rebecca Cramer, Melissa Voltura, Serina Velleta, Juliana Makarevic, Evan Dusky, Nicholas Boumler, Erik Maier and Lexie Tambe.

The Town of Oakfield is holding a Scarecrow Contest.

You can make a scarecrow at home at work or at school or at the Oakfield Community & Government Center, located at 3219 Drake Street Road, Oakfield. 

If you opt to make one at the Community & Government Center, the opportunity to do so is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30. You can bring your own supplies or purchase them from the "Scarecrow Boo-tique." (We did not make this up.)

Sept. 30 is also the date of the Oakfield Fall Vendor Blender (also 11 to 4) at the Community & Government Center. Invite your family and friends. If weather permits, vendors will be allowed outside, but there's plenty of room for them inside. For more information on both the Scarecrow Contest and the Oakfield Fall Vendor Blender, visit online at www.townofoakfieldny.com

These are the Scarecrow Contest rules:

• Register your scarecrow by mail prior to Sept. 27, or in person at the Community & Government Center scarecrow-making opportunity on Sept. 30; once registered, you will receive a lamppost assignment where you will display your scarecrow;
• As early as Sept. 30, hang your scarecrow on your assigned lamppost using zip ties, bungee cords or rope -- NO tape or wires, please (and absolutely "No more wire hangers!");
• Scarecrows must face oncoming traffic and be easily visible;
• Scarecrows must be made in good taste and constructed to withstand wind and rain. The committee (presumably, the "Scarecrow Contest Committee") has the complete and unequivocal right to remove any scarecrow that is inappropriate or in disrepair (tacky people take note);
• The scarecrow must be maintained while on display between Sept. 30 and Nov. 1 (which happens to be All Saints Day);
• To be eligible for contest awards, scarecrows must be secured to ASSIGNED posts no later than 3 p.m. on Sept. 30 (punctuality actually does matter here);
• Scarecrows must be taken down by 7 p.m. on All Saints Day (see above). After that time, they will be "removed and recycled" for next year. (We like the notion of recycled scarecrows, so long as they are tastefully recycled, nothing dodgy.)

Prize categories are:

-- Most Original

-- Scariest

-- Funniest

-- Best Traditional Scarecrow

-- Grand Prize for Best Overall

-- Special kids categories

Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Town of Oakfield Halloween Party at the Community & Government Center. (We think it would be especially pleasing and of entertainment value if adults dressed up for this party in a goofy costume or wore some audacious socks or a dumb hat or something.)

Any Genesee County resident who would like to participate can most certainly participate, says Town Clerk Melissa Haacke. (There, the gauntlet is thrown down.) And if a scarecrow contestant wants to register via mail, that person can send a check for $10, payable to Town of Oakfield, along with the following information:

• Name/Organization
• Phone number
• Email address

Mail to:

Town of Oakfield

Atten: Melissa Haacke, Town Clerk

3219 Drake Street Road

Oakfield, NY 14125

You will subsequently be given a lamppost pole number, which is the location where you will put up your scarecrow.

May the best scarecrow win!

The eighth annual Dash in the Dark at Oakfield-Alabama High School, where high school cross-country runners run their races at night under the lights, took place last night (Sept. 8).

Thirty-five schools, more than 1,000 competitors from Section V and VI, and one from Pennsylvania, attended this year's event.

Cross-country participants call this the “Super Bowl” of races which runners start and finish under the football stadium lights along with construction towers to help guide them on the course.

Teams consist of three runners and will be split up into two divisions depending on school size. Each school can enter three teams in the Gold Race (fastest race) and unlimited teams in the Blue Race.

The course is a fast, flat, grassy, 1,600-meter loop around the school grounds. Each leg will run two loops, starting and ending inside the football stadium.

Medals are awarded to the top 10 fastest individual times, both girls and boys, for both divisions.

Team trophies are given to the top three teams in both divisions in the Gold Race.

Team awards go to the top three teams in the Blue Race, for both divisions and genders.

For final results go to: http://yellowjacketracing.com/results

Nicole Shultz bought one of her daughters a chocolate lab puppy for her birthday and more than a day ago it got out and ran into a cornfield on Maltby Road in Oakfield.

The family hasn't seen the puppy since and is asking for help in locating it and getting it back home.

Shultz said people have told her they've seen the puppy in the area, but they haven't been able to subsequently locate it.

They've put up signs at different locations in the area and left trails of food to get her back home.

"We miss her dearly," Shultz said.

Shultz can be reached at (585) 813-8864.

UPDATED 8:34 p.m.: The puppy is back home. A farmer cutting hay in a field spotted her and the owners tracked her down and caught her and took her home.

Photos from today's parade in Oakfield.

To purchase prints of parade photos click here.