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Oakfield

Law and Order: Suspect who allegedly fled to Batavia Downs arrested

By Howard B. Owens

Joshua L. Webster, 25, of 7882 York Road, Pavilion, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to yield right of way; Jessica L. Engelhardt, 21, of 7882 York Road, Pavilion, is charged with falsely reporting an incident and offering a false instrument for filing, 2nd. Webster was allegedly involved in an accident at 4:15 p.m., April 9, on West Main Street near Tops Market. Webster allegedly fled the scene on foot. Webster was reportedly identified by readers of The Batavian after his picture at Batavia Downs was posted on the website. Engelhardt, who is reportedly married to Webster, is accused of falsely reporting the vehicle stolen in an effort to cover up her husband's involvement in the accident.

Eric M. Duda, 50, of 111 Liberty St., Batavia, and Summer Ogden, 36, of 123 Washington Ave., Batavia, are both charged with criminal contempt. Duda and Ogden are both accused of violating orders of protection that prohibit them from being in each other's company. They were allegedly found together during a residence check by the Probation Department. Both were jailed on $5,000 bail.

Evan Ryan Anderson, 30, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, driving with ability impaired by drugs and No/inadequate headlamps. Anderson was stopped at 11:50 p.m., Friday, on Route 5 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Luke Anthony Bacon, 19, of East Avenue, Akron, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, speeding (82 in a 55 mph zone), and failure to keep right. Bacon was stopped at 12:18 a.m., Sunday, on Akron Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Mark Russell O'Gee, 58, of South Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. O'Gee is accused of violating an order of protection by entering a residence he was barred from entering.

Christopher Michael Ames, 40, of Maple Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unlawful possession of marijuana. Ames was reportedly observed at 8:56 p.m., Friday, in a vehicle park behind an unoccupied building on Lewiston Road, Alabama, that is for sale. Upon further investigation by Deputy Chad Minuto, Ames was allegedly found to be in an intoxicated condition.

Kimberly A. Showler, 46, of 4 North Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Showler is accused of shoplifting from a store on East Main Street, Batavia.

Lesley Marie Brice, 33, of Miller Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Brice is accused of pushing and shoving another person during a verbal argument that allegedly turned physical at 6:24 p.m., Friday, at a location on Main Street, Pembroke. Also arrested in connection with the incident was Angel Victoria Ramos, 19, of Main Road, Pembroke, who is charged with harassment, 2nd. Ramos is accused of hitting another person during an argument.

Photos: Oakfield Historical Society Museum opens for the season

By Howard B. Owens

The Oakfield Historical Society Museum officially opened for the season today with two new displays -- one about World War II on the home front and the other on the five major fires in Oakfield in the 1800s. The fire department's vintage pumper, purchased in 1863, was rolled over to the museum to display during the open house.

The event coincides with the book the historical society just published called "Main Street Ablaze." The museum is located at 7 Maple Ave. in the Village of Oakfield.

Law and Order: DWAI charge in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

Stephen Christopher Ward, 22, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, speeding and inadequate headlights. Ward was stopped at 9:45 p.m., Monday, on Angling Road in Pembroke by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Alexandria Claire Pisarek, 19, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Pisarek is accused of stealing fentanyl patches (pain medication) belonging to another person.

Law and Order: Suspected drug dealer accused of trying to escape following arraignment

By Howard B. Owens

Milton H. Simmons III, 29, of 75 Franklin St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and attempted escape, 1st. Simmons was arrested after police responded at 11:53 p.m., Friday, to a report of a fight involving a knife in the parking lot of a business on West Main Street, Batavia. Police conducted a search of a vehicle reportedly belonging to Simmons and allegedly found 44 glassine bags of crack cocaine. Simmons was arraigned in Batavia City Court and ordered held on no bail. As police transported Simmons from the courthouse to the jail, Simmons allegedly tried to escape and had to be restrained with the assistance of deputies at the court facility.

Zachary Jordan Ayres, 18, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Ayres is accused of stealing approximately $1,300 in jewelry from a woman in Byron and selling the items to a business in Batavia.

Anthony C. Privitera, 19, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving BAC of .08 or greater, unsafe start, failure to keep right, open container in a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. Privitera was stopped Sunday in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD.

Kimberlin D. Lester-Benjamin, 49, of Carl Street, Buffalo, is charged with petit larceny. Lester-Benjamin is accused of stealing $89.95 in merchandise from Target.

Kenneth Merville Nobles, 66, of Genesee Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding (72 mph in a 55 mph zone). Nobles was stopped at 6:13 p.m. Saturday on Route 19, Le Roy, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

Jamie Scott Scholonski, 39, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Scholonski is accused of stealing $632 in quarters from a residence in Pavilion.

Nicholas M. Lyons, 31, of 112 State St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on State Street at 11:40 p.m., Friday, and found Lyons allegedly in violation of a "stay away" order involving another person. Lyons was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Daniel F. Orlando, 29, of 555 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and obstructing governmental administration. Orlando is accused of physically obstructing police while officers were investigating an incident at Orlando's residence. Orlando was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Timothy L. Taylor, 37, of 655 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd. Taylor is accused of assaulting another person following an argument. Taylor was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Daniel Lee Ward, 25, of Oak Orchard Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Ward was arrested following investigation into a motor-vehicle accident on Fisher Road, Oakfield, at 1:48 a.m. March 3.

Adam C. Hegge, 31, of 14 Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hegge was arrested Friday by Officer Dan Coffey following a report of a suspicious vehicle in the Batavia Cemetery.

Shed fire on Lewiston Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A shed fire is reported at 2082 Lewiston Road near Knowlesville Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding. Oakfield Fire Department is called to stand by in its hall.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: According to the National Weather Service, there's an elevated fire risk today "due to a combination of dry air, lingering vegetation from last year" and moderate northwest winds. (Also, tonight there's a freeze likely, with temperatures expected to be 25 to 30 degrees.)

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: Alabama Engine 2 is on scene "with a working shed fire."

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: Alabama engines 1 and 5 are on scene.

UPDATE 12:26 p.m.: Oakfield is told to stand down.

UPDATE 12:29 p.m.: The fire is extinguished and they are now doing overhaul.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Law and Order: Byron man accused of stealing, using debit card

By Howard B. Owens

Matthew Joseph O'Connor, 19, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. O'Connor is accused of stealing a debit card from a friend and using it in Genesee and Monroe counties to make purchases and ATM withdrawals. At the time of his arrest, O'Connor was allegedly found in possession of a small baggie of marijuana.

Lacey M. Muntz, 28, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Muntz is accused of stealing license plates from a vehicle she did not own.

Paul Uzarowski, 41, of Genesee Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC 0f .08 or greater, failure to dim headlights and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Uzarowski was stopped at 8:57 p.m. Tuesday on Route 77 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Oakfield student named to Deans' List at Harpur College of Arts and Sciences

By Billie Owens

Jerome P. George, of Oakfield, received academic honors from the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences at Binghamton University by making the Deans' List for the Fall 2011 semester.

Binghamton University is one of the four university centers of the State University of New York. Known for the excellence of its students, faculty, staff and programs, Binghamton enrolls close to 15,000 students in programs leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Its flourishing NCAA Division I athletics program is a vital part of the campus community, strengthening school spirit and inspiring loyalty and pride.

Yasses moving in and moving on following Village of Oakfield election

By Howard B. Owens

Jeremy Yasses spent the night in his new home on North Pearl Street in the Village of Oakfield last night.

That would be unremarkable, except that there has been a small controversy in Oakfield over the residency of the recently elected trustee.

NYS law requires village trustees to be residents of the village they represent.

According to Yasses, it wasn't an issue during the election, but after he beat out an incumbent for the position, at least one person raised the issue at Monday's village board meeting.

"I think everybody on the board expected him to move to the village," Mayor Richard Pastecki said. "I think some were saying they didn't know how the GOP could run somebody who wasn't a village resident, but we all knew he was moving."

Yasses has completely renovated a large Victorian farmhouse on North Pearl Street. The 2,520-square-foot home was built in 1880 and Yasses gutted it and totally redid the interior of the main house as well as made extensive repairs and changes to the barn on the property.

Escrow just closed on his former residence and his family is moving this week.

Yasses has been involved in village politics for some time. He's also a landlord there.

Pastecki said the question of Yasses's residency is pretty much a dead issue, unless some other village resident wants to fight it on their own dime.

"The board is not under any obligation to do anything about it," Pastecki said. "The law is so vague ... What I discovered (in researching it) is that anybody can bring a suit to contest an election, but that doesn't guarantee the election will be found invalid. ... we probably do not want to spend taxpayer money on it because there’s no clear outcome. "

It's not even a topic Yasses really wanted to talk about because he doesn't think the issue is really about him, just a little small-town political wrangling, and he's ready to get to work.

"I want it to be a smooth transition and to come in and do good things for the people of the village," Yasses said.

He's proud to have taken part in a village election where differing views were represented and that brought more people to the polls than usual.

"I think it's phenomenal," Yasses said. "That's the way America was built -- democracy, different views and opinions, and that's how it should be."

Yasses will be sworn in on Monday.

Law and Order: DWI charge filed against woman seriously hurt in accident

By Howard B. Owens

Michelle Tarin Crawford, 26, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and failure to keep right. Crawford was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident at 12:55 a.m., March 8, on Townline Road, Byron, in which Crawford was seriously injured. Crawford remains jailed on a violation of probation charge. (Previous stories, one, two and three).

Michael Octavio Tardy, 46, of Woodside Drive, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop at stop sign and moving from lane unsafely. Tardy was allegedly driving at 1:41 a.m. on Lewiston Raod, Oakfield, when his vehicle struck a curb.

Benefit in Alabama raises funds for man who was brutally assaulted in Rochester

By Howard B. Owens

Photo: Randy Tonner Jr., Maddos, 6, and Maddox's mother, Michele.

Randy Tonner Jr., hasn't worked since July 2.

That was the night he was brutally attacked on a street in Rochester that put him the acute brain injury unit at Strong Memorial Hospital for more than a month.

At the time, Tonner was a single parent raising his 6-year-old son, Maddox, living and working in Rochester. He was an independent contractor, installing flooring for Sherwin Williams.

With no employer-provided insurance, he's had no means to care for himself or his son and had to give up custody of Maddos and move back to Oakfield.

Today, the community rallied around Tonner with a fundraiser at the American Legion Hall in Alabama, which featured a chance auction and a beef on weck lunch.

"People have been great," Tonner said. "The show of support, not just for me, but for my family, has just been fantastic."

Tonner was living on Park Avenue the night he walked by 25 Park Ave. with friends at about 2 a.m.

There was a group of people having a party on the porch and some sort of scuffle ensured.

Tonner's father, Randy Tonner, said the detective described it as something relatively minor, like you might find on any college campus on a Friday or Saturday night.

Seconds after it broke up, a man sucker punched Randy Jr. from behind.

"The dectective said it was the sucker punch of all sucker punches," Randy Sr. said. "From the tape (there was a surveillance system installed at the house), you could see he was out before he hit the ground. His head hit the cement and then another man came up and kicked him in the head."

A woman rushed to Randy Jr.'s aid. When police arrived, they found him lying beside the road in a pool of his own blood.

Two men were arrested, Justin Cropo and Nicholas Vitale, and a grand jury indicted them on a count each of assault in the second degree. The men are awaiting trial on the charges. (In an interesting footnote on the case, another man at the scene who looks like Vitale, and actually came to Randy's aid, was arrested initially, but the charges were dropped).

Randy Jr. said as far as he can remember, he's never met either of the men before.

After being released from the hospital, Randy Jr., has been on anti-seizure medication and his father said his main issue is the lack of mental endurance to work a full day.

He should be able to work again some day, but doctors are unsure when. After his next doctor's visit, they hope he will be cleared for part-time work.

"If you ask me, from the second I got out of the coma I wanted to go back to work, but I don’t know, whatever the doctor says," Randy Jr. said.

The damage to Randy's brain has forced him to learn to read again and he also lost sight in one eye.

His father said today's fundraiser was really an emotional event for him and he was especially grateful to Ron Sessaman, who has a history of organizing fundraisers in the community and arranged this one.

"For him to take the time for these people to come out here, I get choked up," Randy Sr., said. "It just touches the heart more than you can know. It’s just so, so special.  I think this also great for Randy. This keeps his strength, because this is hard. This keeps his attitude up."

Individuals who wish to make a donation to Randy Tonner, which are aimed at just helping him meet basic living expenses until he can return to work, can call Sessaman at (585) 734-7998.

Four local students make the Deans' List at Elmira College

By Billie Owens

Elmira College has released its Deans' List for academic acievement for the Fall 2011 term. The list recognizes students that have a grade-point average of 3.6 or highter.

Matthew Gale, (Class of 2012) of Le Roy; he is majoring in Childhood Education and Sociology and Anthropology.

Alicia Hough, (Class of 2013), of Elba; she is majoring in Business Administration.

Megan Lowe, (Class of 2013), of Le Roy; she is majoring in Adolescence Education -- Mathematics.

Jessica Pcionek, (Class of 2015), of Oakfield; she is majoring in Childhood Education and Foreign Languages -- French.

Elmira College, located in the Finger Lakes Region of beautiful, historic Upstate New York, is one of the great small colleges of the nation.

Aid, sponsorship sought for Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up

By Billie Owens

This is from reader Samantha Pangrazio:

The Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up will host its third annual event April 21. This is an event where members of the community gather together to clear the roadsides of debris that is not only unsightly, but harmful to our environment.

This year, I am interested in making the event more appealing to all residents, especially school-aged kids and teenagers. One way to accomplish this is by supplying each participant with a complementary T-shirt and also by creating contests that would reward the winner of each category with a small donation from local businesses.

If you would like to help us out, please contact Samantha Pangrazio at <sjpangrazio94@hotmail.com>.

The Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up is an opportunity for residents who, like me, have a deep-seated love and appreciation for our beautiful town and village.

Our first annual Oakfield Community Earth Day Clean-Up occurred two years ago on April 24, 2010. This was something that I decided to create because of the wonderful volunteering opportunity that it created for individuals and also because of the increasing amount of people who have become oblivious to the damaging effects that trash is creating in our communities. 

Due to the total number of participants who pitched in these past two years and the beautiful results that occurred, I would like to continue this experience for individuals interested in keeping our environment healthy.

Thank you.

Village election results

By Howard B. Owens

Election results  from the Village of Corfu (vote for two):

Trustee: (2) Years – Democrat   – Arthur Ianni, 30                 
Trustee: (2) Years – Republican – Kenneth Lauer, 29                                
Trustee: (2) Years – Republican – Michael Tost (write in), 17

We've not received reports from the other villages. Jeremy Yasses has posted on Facebook that he won seat in the Village of Oakfield by 35 votes.

UPDATE: Lorie Longhany reports the winners in Le Roy: Greg Rogers, mayor; and, trustees Jim Bonacquisti and Mike Tucci.

Bodies found in Genesee River, but identification unconfirmed

By Howard B. Owens

Two bodies have been found in the Genesee River near the Elmwood Avenue bridge, reports WHAM13.

The bodies were found about a mile apart.

Officials have said they will not "speculate" as to whether the bodies are of David and Michael King, of Oakfield, who disappeared the night of Feb. 19 after apparently trying to cross the I-390 on foot at a spot above the Genesee River.

Previously: State Police still searching for brothers who may have mistakenly jumped into Genesee River

Fire engulfs willow tree on Maltby Road

By Billie Owens

A brush fire was reported at 3692 Maltby Road in Oakfield. But now it's contained to a willow tree. Oakfield firefighters are on scene. The location is in between Fisher and Weatherwax roads. Responders are proceeding in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: The fire is out. Oakfield is back in service.

Car strikes pole in Oakfield, no injuries, but Fox Road is shut down

By Billie Owens

A car-into-pole accident is reported on Fox Road in Oakfield. The driver is not injured. The utility pole is in the roadway, prompting Oakfield Fire Police to shut down Fox at Maltby Road and at Route 262. A Sheriff's deputy is responding. Oakfield fire units are on standby in quarters. National Grid has been notified, no arrival time given.

Food processing plants in Oakfield and Bergen sold to French company

By Howard B. Owens

Allens Inc., a food-processing company based in Arkansas, has sold four of its six frozen vegetable processing plants, including its Oakfield and Bergen plants, to Bonduelle Group, a privately held firm based in France.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The sale is expected to close by the end of the month.

The four plants employ 400 people. The number employed in just Bergen and Oakfield were not released.

Allens is reportedly using the funds generated by the sale to invest in new technology and expand its canned-food operations in Arkansas, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

"We're excited to put a renewed focus on the core of our business and the market segments we are most passionate about," said Rick Allen, president and CEO of Allens. "With this renewed concentration, we anticipate greater growth, more innovation and even better customer service and product quality. We're excited about what this will mean to the marketplace and to our customers and partners, overall."

The purchase includes the Chill Ripe brand and the frozen Garden Classics brand, as well as a license to use certain brand names owned by Allens in the frozen business for a limited transitional period.

The two Genesee County plants were acquired by Allens in 2006 from Birds Eye.

Sources: Rochester Business Journal and a press release.

Law and Order: Oakfield man accused of entering hotel room of two sleeping women

By Howard B. Owens

Justin M. Wotherspoon, 25, of Gibson St., Oakfield, is charged with criminal trespass. Wotherspoon is accused of entering the hotel room of two women, who were sleeping, without permission.

Melissa J. Vesosky, 25, of 1260 Lehigh Station Road, Henrietta, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Vesosky was stopped at 10:26 p.m. Sunday on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Douglas S. Sprague, 44, of 63 S. Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, unlawful possession of marijuana, and was wanted on a Family Court warrant for alleged failure to pay child support. Sprague allegedly violated an order of protection. At the time of his arrest, at 8:07 p.m, Tuesday, Sprague was allegedly found in possession of two glass pipes containing marijuana. Sprague was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Nominees sought for Oakfield-Alabama Central School 2012 Alumni Hall of Fame

By Billie Owens

Nominations for Oakfield-Alabama Central School 2012 Alumni Hall of Fame are now being sought and will be accepted through April 30th.

Nominees must have graduated from OACS at least 15 years ago (class of 1997 or earlier). The committee seeks to honor alumni who have had significant success in their chosen field or who have contributed greatly to the Oakfield-Alabama community or both.

Anyone may nominate an individual by completing an official nomination form.

The online form may be found at:

http://oacsalumni.org/content/HallOfFame/NominationProcess/ (click on either the "online Nomination form" link or the Hornet logo).

We encourage you to use the electronic form; however, paper forms are available in the OACS middle/high office, which is located at 7001 Lewiston Road in Oakfield.

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