Oakfield

Officials in Oakfield today held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new water tower serving both the village and the town.

The $3.5 million project was eight years in the making. The community replaced a 99-year-old, 125,000 gallon tank.

Building the tank was partially financed through federal grants. A bond covers $2.6 million of the expense.

The new tank holds 500,000 gallon of water.

Through use of a block grant, will soon have a new water use measurement system in place. Rather than meter readers, each water user will have a radio-read system installed from a company called Sensus that will allow instant reading of water usage, including reports, if needed, on hour-by-hour usage.  Officials will have instant access to customer usage if a customer has questions about their account.

Pictured above: Jeremy Delyser, from Clark Patterson Lee, Joyce Grazioplene, retired clerk, Rick Pastecki, former mayor, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Legislator (and former mayor), Ray Cianfrini.  (Note: Several more people participated in the actual ribbon cutting, but my photos from the ribbon cutting are unusable. My old, cheap wide angle lens didn't focus properly).

Assemblyman Steve Hawley checks out the interior of the new water tower.

Mayor Jason Armbrewster sent along this video taken with a camera mounted on a drone of the new tower.

It was a beautiful day, I think you'll all agree. Here's a tree and the sun on Drake Street Road, Oakfield.

The Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual ag tour this morning, starting with a visit to BCA Ag Technologies in Oakfield (that visit was co-hosted by Z&M Ag and Turf).

During the first visit, tour participants learned about all the high-tech ways farmers more precisely and efficiently put seeds in the ground, using GPS and computer-programed seeding mechanisms.

After BCA, the group moved onto the Cargill facility in Batavia, which produces nutrients for dairy cattle throughout the Northeast, and finally they visited M&M Meats to learn about beef processing.

"For those of who are involved in it, it's pretty easy to lose track of and forget how big ag is and the fact that it is the number-one industry in the county, so it's great to get the folks who make decisions and impact what we do to understand what we do," said Keith Conway, chairman of the chamber's ag committee and store manager for Z&M in Oakfield.

Benjamin Flansburg, BCA.

Keith Conway

To whatever degree the Pembroke Dragons might have had a chance against the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets on Friday night, too many scoring opportunities were snuffed out by turnovers.

Most of the Dragon's possessions ended with a fumble or interception.

"We're always emphasizing creating turnovers," said O-A Head Coach Brian Palone after the Hornet's 33-6 win on their home field. "We work on it a lot. So I was happy to see that we were able to execute."

The Hornets are now 2-1 and Pembroke falls to 0-3.

On offense, the Hornets were pretty much able to have their way.

QB Alan Chatt was 16 for 19 passing and 199 yards. He tossed touchdown completions of 55, 17 and two yards. He also rushed for 85 yards and a TD on eight carries.

Ryan Emery rushed for 33 yards and a TD on eight carries and Jon Harris gained 47 yards on five carries.

Receiver Reice Woodward had a big night with two touchdowns on four receptions for 85 yards.

Defensively, Pat Caprio had six tackles, Harris, five, Jake Valletta and Tyler Hamm, four each, Chatt had two interceptions, Casey Arnold, two sacks, Trent Stack, an interception and Emery had a sack.

Collin Scheiber was one for three on point after attempts. His make was the first of his kicking career.

"I'm very proud of way we finished the game," Palone said. "We talked all week about finishing, especially after last week. We weren't able to finish and we let it get away from us, but tonight they were really focused for four quarters of football. They really finished. I'm proud of the way they executed at the end."

Next up for O-A, Elba/Byron-Bergen, who takes a 2-0 record into today's match up with Notre Dame (0-2).

Pembroke will host Notre Dame next week.

Top photo: Alan Chatt picks a Mitch Lewter pass in the first quarter. The pass was intended for Dakota Swimline.

Pembroke receiver Zack VonKramer with a reception in the first quarter.

Pembroke's Cal Neurohr was hard to bring down on a run play in the 4th quarter.

Mitch Lewter sacked in the 4th quarter.

To purchase prints and ensure you'll have copies of these photos for years to come, click here.

During the early morning hours of Aug. 21 somebody broke into the food stand at the Little League fields at the Oakfield Town Park and stole drinks and candy.

Town Clerk Melissa Haacke said the thief was obviously looking for money.

Sometime after 3 a.m., the person in this photo was seen on surveillance cameras in the park, so officials are hoping to identify the person and determine if there's a connection.

Haacke can be reached at (585) 948-5835.

Daniel C. Frey, 50, of Oakfield, is charged with unlawful growing of cannabis and criminal possession of marijuana, 4th. Frey was arrested by State Police at 12:57 p.m. Friday on Klossen Road, Alabama. No further details released.

Jason A. Perry-Murray, 20, of Jackson Street, Batavia, was arrested on warrant for an unpaid parking ticket.

Juan A. Roman, 36, of Portland Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt. Roman is accused of violating a stay away order of protection.

Caitlin A. Hayes, 26, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear on a parking ticket. Hayes was arrested following police contact on an unrelated incident.

Elliot R. Sandoval, 38, of Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Sandoval is accused of kicking another person in the back while that person was walking down a flight of stairs.

Joseph J. Kostanciak, 24, of unspecified address, is charged with petit larceny. Kostanciak is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Sanders A. Kelsey, 27, of Batavia, and Michelle L. Franks, 33, of Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Kelsey and Franks are accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Carol A. Bartucca, 55, of Stafford, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bartucca was stopped at 10:16 p.m. Saturday on Horseshoe Lake Road by a trooper.

Jeremy D. Eck, 27, of Hornell, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana. Eck was stopped by State Police at 10:27 p.m. Sunday on Route 20 and Browns Mill Road, Alexander.

Lawrence E. Rutkowski, 50, of Orchard Park, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Rutkowski was stopped at 12:11 a.m. Monday on Route 20, Alexander, by State Police.

Brett F. Dieter, 36, of Basom, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Dieter was arrested following an investigation of an alleged incident at 8:10 p.m. Sept. 1 on Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Michael R. Sigl, 21, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Sigl was arrested by State Police following an incident report at 3:32 p.m. Sunday. No further details released. 

Tyler E. Deleys, 20, of Corfu, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, petit larceny and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Deleys was arrested on Hartshorn Road, Pembroke, by State Police following a report of an incident at 3:32 p.m. Sunday. No further details released.

Steven R. Ryan, 36, of unspecified address, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. Ryan was stopped by State Police at 10:10 p.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke.

Lindsey N. Burdick, 32, of Pavilion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Burdick was stopped by State Police at 11:29 p.m. Sunday on Route 20, Alexander.

Todd L. Frocione, 50, of Syracuse, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Frocione was stopped by State Police at 11:51 p.m. Sunday on Route 20, Alexander.

Oakfield, as part of its Labor Days celebration, closed out the parade season in Genesee County once again in style, with its biggest parade yet (lasting an hour and 20 minutes).

This year's theme was a salute to agriculture, with Dean Norton, NYS Farm Bureau president, walking this parade as Grand Marshall. He was joined on the route by his family.

To purchase prints, and ensure you'll have copies of these photos years from now, click here.

Photographer Amanda Earl attended Oakfield Labor Days today and sent in these photos.

Tomorrow, 10 a.m., the parade. I hope to see you there.

Participants in the 5K race: Michael Harasimowicz, Justin Harasimowicz, Jennifer Kirkum and Ritchie Kirkum.

Hornets fans have much to be hopeful about in the 2014 season: A third-year starter at QB with a strong arm, a strong offensive line, experienced coaching leadership, but there's also a couple of question marks.

The big issue is who among a young group of receivers and running backs is going to step up and be the playmaker to complement QB Allen Chatt.

Head Coach Brian Palone is looking to improve on last year's 5-3 record in what promises to once again be a tough Genesee Region.

"It all depends on how those guys coming in at skilled positions do for us," Palone said. "We've got some guys who are really competing at those spots for us. It will be interesting to see how we perform in the first game."

Chatt has continued to improve at QB and has become a true team leader, Palone said. He's stepped up, providing leadership to his young receivers.

"He knows what I expect of him and what we expect of the offense," Palone said.

Jeremy Dean Lyons, 29, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd. Lyons was allegedly found in possession of more than $3,000 worth of copper wiring that was stolen from several buses parked at a business in Oakfield. Lyons was jailed on $50,000 bail.

William H. Kelly III, 44, Robert Kelly, 43, and Michael Correia, 58, all of Syracuse, are charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd. The three men were arrested by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for allegedly stealing more than $3,000 worth of brass fittings, electrical wire, tools, and plumbing and construction materials from a location in Batavia. They were arrested following a traffic stop in Huron and held without bail. (Source: 13WHAM).

Roger James Farney III, 31, of Clayton Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Farney was located by law enforcement at this former residence on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, allegedly in violation of an order of protection out of Family Court. 

Four Canadians -- Sarah C. Glassford, 22, of Acton, Ontario, David L. Jones, 22, of Walkerton, Ontario, Hayley M. Halls, 23, of Acton, Ontario, and Nicole P. Spurrell, 22, of Acton, Ontario -- are all charged with trespass. They were arrested by State Police in connection with a reported trespass at a location in Darien at 11:45 p.m. Aug. 16. No further details released.

A 16-year-old Batavia resident is charged with criminal mischief. She was arrested by State Police in the Town of Barre in connection with an incident reported at 6:55 p.m. on Monday. No further details released.

Labor Day weekend – the last summer blowout before school starts and the temperature starts to dip – is when hundreds of people converge on the Village of Oakfield for the fun of it.

Reasons to go there on Sunday and/or Monday are ample: an arts & crafts show, 5K run, car cruise, pony rides, rubber ducky race, cow chip bingo, fireworks, parade, kid zone, basket raffles and music galore. There’s food, too, and beverages to quaff. Goodies galore.

The OBC – Oakfield Betterment Committee – has outdone itself this year, with a lineup that starts Sunday morning and goes through late Monday afternoon when cash prizes are awarded and one lucky winner will get a John Deere utility vehicle and trailer.

This year musicians include: the famous, multi-generational classic country act that is the Ramblin’ Lou Family Band; “hardcore country music with a twang” – The Ghost Riders; WNY’s oldest round and square dance band, Kelly’s Old Timers; NYS Country Music Hall of Famers -- the Craig Wilkins Band; The Old Hippies, no need to say more, except peace and love, man; and, of course, the ubiquitious King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, a hunk a hunk of burnin’ luv if ever there was one.

Plus, there will be skilled performers, jugglers, unicyclists and magicians in the Kid Zone, and a Fun Run just for kids.

Registration for the 5K and Fun Run starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Big Pavilion at Elroy D. Parkins Park on Drake Street in the Village. Entertainment kicks off at 11 with the Ramblin’ Lou Family Band. Fireworks end the evening at 10.

On Monday, the Parade down Main Street gets under way at 10 a.m.

Dozens of locals businesses sponsor Oakfield Labor Days in the Park. Proceeds benefit improvement and beautification projects in Oakfield.

The place will be packed. Shuttle service is available.

For a detailed schedule of events, click here:

http://www.oakfieldbetterment.com/schedule.html

Forrest Ansel III, 24, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd. Ansel is accused of punching a relative several times, causing physical injury. The alleged victim is over 65 and more than 10 years older than Ansel. Ansel was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Paul C. Ferraro, 19, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Ferraro is accused of stealing more than $3,000 over a two-month period while employed at Save-A-Lot. Ferraro was jailed without bail.

Thomas A. Webb, 54, of Syracuse, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. Webb was arrested after a bank employee called about two people in the bank trying to cash forged checks. Webb was apprehended at the scene, but the other person fled before police arrived. Police recovered the checks and the IDs of both suspects. The investigation indicates at least one other person may be involved. That person appears to have supplied the forged checks to the suspects and similar checks that were cashed at another bank branch in the City of Batavia. Le Roy PD and Batavia PD are working together in an ongoing investigation.

Timothy J. Lewis, 20, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Lewis is accused of hitting a family member and a friend while in the parking lot of Oliver's Candies at 3:30 a.m., Wednesday.

Katherine S. Thomas, 41, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Thomas is accused of intentionally breaking a glass mug on the sidewalk in front of her residence, causing a physically offensive and hazardous condition.

A possible residential structure fire is reported at 8 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield. The home is filled with smoke. Oakfield command on scene reporting nothing showing. Alabama fire is asked to stand by in quarters in case needed.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: Command tells the crew headed to the scene to check out the basement, which smells like smoke.

UPDATE 12:34 p.m.: The problem was a "burnt cooler motor." Responders are back in service.

A car has hit a pole on Route 262 just east of Fisher Road. At least one person is injured. Oakfield fire responding with Mercy EMS. Mercy Flight on ground standby. 

UPDATE 4:20 a.m.: Patient is being transported to ECMC.

James Herbert Manes, 77, of Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Manes allegedly stood on a shed in his yard and used a saw to cut branches from a tree in his neighbor's yard. Manes was previously charged with trespass in the incident. He was arraigned in Town of Oakfield Court on Monday night on the upgraded charge.

Alfredo Jalowayski, 52, of Saint Paul Street, Rochester, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes, speeding (43 in a 30 mph zone) and no or inadequate exhaust. Jalowayski was stopped at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday on Main Street, Village of Oakfield, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. 

Gregory John Richenberg, 56, of South Holley Road, Holley, and Jeremy John Richenberg, 34, of Fancher Road, Albion, are charged with trespass. The two men were allegedly on property in Byron owned by a family member after being advised by the propery owner to stay off the property.

The old Oakfield water tower -- replaced by a new one a year ago -- was dismantled today by crews that used torches to cut it into pieces.

Jeff Allen's daughter found this dog wandering on Albion Road, Oakfield, last night. Jeff said he checked with neighbors and nobody had seen the dog before. It appears to have been at large for some time. The dog has a collar but no tags. If it's your dog, contact Jeff at (585) 356-9705. The owner should be able to describe the collar or present proof of ownership.

UPDATE: All spiffed up:

A 77-year-old resident of Sunny Brook Trailer Park in Oakfield never even left his property today to cut limbs from a tree in his neighbor's yard.

His tree trimming with a chainsaw on a pole resulted, however, in a trespassing charge.

James Herbert Manes, of Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, was arrested by Deputy Chris Parker.

Parker said Manes and his neighbors have a documented history -- at least two prior law enforcement contacts in 2011 and 2012 -- of disputes.

The trespassing charge, Parker said, is the result of that history and the assertion that the park manager told Manes he couldn't cut the tree limbs.

Manes allegedly stood on the roof of his storage shed to cut the limbs.

Parker was dispatched to the scene at 11:30 a.m.

"Obviously, you're allowed to cut tree branches on your side of the property, but he reached over and cut the limbs down to the base," Parker said.

Manes was issued an appearance ticket.