Oakfield

Submitted by Lisa Fickel:

Time heals all wounds. You cannot prove that one by me. Life can change in the blink of an eye. This one yes, as I am living proof. In my case it was more like 10 minutes. 

My name is Lisa Fickel. My husband Bill was murdered in front of our home on November 10th, 2005. 

It was a warm night for November. Bill and I were chatting about our work day, while I heated our boring dinner -- meatloaf, green beans and rice. It was “crunch time.” Only 10 minutes to "Survivor"!  

It would later be called a “random act of violence.” What did that even mean? This was no act. It was fact. Life as I knew for the past 25 years had ended at the hand of a stranger! 

As we approach the 6th anniversary of Bill’s death, my emotions are as raw as they were on that horrible night. I see the eerie glow of the mist on something laying on the side of the road. Omg! That is my husband! I hear the sirens in the distance. Why don’t they seem to be getting any closer?  And I smell the familiar scents of fall, wet leaves, wood burning, mixed with an odd tinny, iron smell. I quickly discover it to be the smell of Bill’s blood.  

It’s funny how many deals you try to make with God in an instant like this.  I promised him anything and everything I could think of! After all, this couldn’t be happening. Not to me. Not in Oakfield. Not to normal people who played by the rules. Murder, stabbings, shootings only happened in downtown Buffalo or Rochester, right?

At some point I was surrounded by people, chaos -- where did they all come from? I felt an unbelievable sense of calm wash over me. My mind was as clear as it could be. I’m told that was probably shock setting in.  But I knew it was Bill guiding me through my ordeal, helping me cope. I knew at that moment he was gone. I just could not let myself think or believe it.

Fast forward, 2011…The murder of Bill Fickel has yet to be solved. 

Yes, Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster has named “a person of interest” in our case. However, NO ONE has been formally charged. 

In January 2006, I vowed that I would be involved in the investigation every step of the way. I would not, could not let Bill be forgotten. He was loved by many. He was a victim and deserves justice!

My goal by recounting some of my thoughts and feelings is to provide you with a human connection to a local headline. A murder occurred in your community. This loss affected your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. If you know or have heard anything regarding our case, please contact the Genesee County Sheriff Office. The $100,000 reward still stands. Closure! It’s more than a word. It’s a new beginning. Perhaps a new life! 

Thank you to all for the endless love, support and prayers.

An Oakfield resident accused of multiple burglaries and other crimes in several Genesee County jurisdictions was ordered held in jail without bail by Judge Robert C. Noonan on Monday morning.

Benjamin W. Muntz appeared in county court to be arraigned on charges of burglary, 3rd, possession of stolen property and petit larceny.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini asked that Muntz, who was already in jail, continue to be held without bail because he faces possible felony and misdemeanor charges out of Oakfield, Elba, Alabama and Bergen.

Thomas Burns, the attorney assigned Muntz, asked for a bail review once all of the other cases are brought before Noonan.

Muntz pled not guilty this morning.

In the current indictment, Muntz is accused of breaking into a garage on Judge Road, Alabama on Aug. 26 and stealing a Honda dirt bike.

Annette Joy Waleski, 45, of South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny, possession of burglar tools and criminal mischief, 4th. Waleski is accused of trying to stealing $399.77 worth of merchandise from Kmart. Waleski allegedly used a cutting tool in the process of the attempted thefts.

Lindsay Ann Skivington, 24, of Cook Road, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Skivington is accused of allowing her infant child into contact with the infant's father, Michael Jamil, in violation of an order of protection. Skivington allegedly brought the child to Jamil's residence.

Philip R. Ayala, 25, of Melville Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ayala was allegedly observed by members of the Local Drug Task Force smoking marijuana while in a vehicle on Clinton Street Road, Bergen. Following a traffic stop, Ayala was allegedly found in possession of marijuana. Uniformed deputies assisted in the arrest.

A strong-armed robbery of a purse is reported in Oakfield. No address provided. A Sheriff's deputy is responding.

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: A woman was assaulted after leaving Wilson Farms Market and heading for home on foot. Her assailant is described as a thin, white male, wearing glasses and a tan-colored jacket.

Steven A. Mullen, 24, of 123 Liberty St., Batavia is charged with failure to report change of address within 10 days. Mullen is a Level 2 sex offender and required to report a change of residence. Mullen is accused of reporting in June 2011 that he was living on Law Street. An investigation revealed that Mullen was allegedly living on Liberty Street. The charge is a Class E felony.

Katelyn Christen Kubala, 22, of Meadow Lane, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Kubala was arrested on a bench warrant out of City of Batavia Court. Kubala was jailed on $1,000 bail. Kubala was also arrested on a warrant related to a petit larceny charge out of Town of Batavia Court.

Brittany Megan Kuhn, 22, of Clipnock Road, Bethany, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. Kuhn is accused of hosting an underage drinking party at 11:20 p.m., Monday.

Rosemary Renee Waters, 26, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Waters is accused of shoplifting from the Wilson Farms store in Oakfield.

Joseph Stanley Shaffer, 47, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWAI - Drugs, unlicensed operator and moving from lane unsafely. Shaffer was charged following a property damage accident at 3:04 p.m., Tuesday, on Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia. Shaffer's car reportedly sideswiped another vehicle.

Bradley Robert Jordan, 18, of Silver Road, Bethany, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Jordan is accused of pushing another person to the ground during a dispute.

Rafael Louis Munoz Ramos, 36, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Munoz Ramos is accused of striking a coworker in the face.

Kelsey Lee Eksten, 20, Alexander Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Eksten was charged following a traffic stop on Monday by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Matthew John Mistretta, 22, of Alexander Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Mistretta was allegedly found in possession of a cane sword during a traffic stop by Deputy Brian Thompson on Monday.

With the recent reports of burglaries in Oakfield, some residents have questioned why the village isn't patrolled by a deputy.

Oakfield resident Jeremy Yasses posted on Facebook a request for people to attend a meeting at the village hall at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 14.

"I actually did quite a bit of research a few months ago before we had all the break-ins," Yasses wrote. "The Village of Bergen has a deputy a few days a week on different shifts in four-hour intervals and it costs $12,000 annually. I have already spoken with Sheriff Gary Maha and the Village of Bergen mayor, who praised the work done by the deputies."

Yasses said he doesn't anticipate a proposal to raise taxes and he's not suggesting a deputy be dedicated to the village full-time at a cost of $50,000 a year.

"We need a presence here in Oakfield to question those walking around aimlessly," Yasses wrote. "There have been problems all summer long on the south side of the village and now it is widespread."

Yasses is asking people to attend the village meeting and support the proposal.

Oakfield Fire has responded to an incident at 23 Forest Ave., Oakfield, as a report of an illness.

Responders reported some sort of fumes in the house and set up blowers to clear the house.

Another responder reports a possible hot water heater explosion in the basement.

There are three patients. All three patients are now out of the house.

Mercy Flight is being dispatched to Oakfield's Fire Hall.

UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: When a patient was transported by ground ambulance to UMMC, the medic reported heavy CO detected in the house. The patient was conscious and alert. Another patient transported by Mercy Flight.

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Aaron J. Wood, 20, of Iroquois Road, Caledonia, is charged with petit larceny. Wood is accused of unwrapping and eating a $3 pizza while in the Tops Market in Le Roy. Wood allegedly tried to leave the store without paying for the pizza.

Joseph Dennis Vendetta, 30, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, tinted windows and driver's view obstructed. Vendetta was stopped at 2:21 a.m., Saturday, on Richmond Avenue by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Billy Joe Budziszewski, 20, of Alleghany Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Budziszewski is accused of getting into a dispute with his father Friday morning. During the dispute, Budziszewski allegedly became verbally abusive and punched the kitchen wall and front door, causing some damage during the argument. Budziszewski also allegedly had a pair of metal knuckles in his bedroom dresser.

Luis Geraldo Pacheco, 49, of Webster Avenue, Rochester, is charged with three counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Pacheco is accused of violating a stay away order on three separate occasions.

Melvin Gaylord Draper, 30, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI (BAC of .18 or greater), aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and improper signal. Draper was stopped at 12:47 a.m., Saturday, on Bank Street Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Gene Robert Schmidt, 44, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to keep right. Schmidt was stopped at 1:33 a.m., Saturday, on Bowen Road, Alexander, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Trent H. Burgess, 39, of West Avenue Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and speeding (89 mph in a 55 mph zone). Burgess was stopped at 12:26 a.m., Sunday, on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Brian James Nelson, 24, of Grove Street, Painted Post, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and driving left of pavement markings in a no-passing zone. Nelson was arrested following the investigation by Deputy Jason Saile into a one-car accident at 6:04 a.m., Sunday, on Route 77 in Darien. 

Daniel L. Cone, 51, of 6380 Clinton St. Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speed not reasonable and prudent, following too closely and moving unsafely from lane. Cone was stopped at 5:55 p.m., Saturday, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Dan Coffey.

Lawrence D. Williams, 51, of 148 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Williams was allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of cocaine following a traffic stop.

Scott G. Tooley, 26, of 199 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Tooley is accused of leaving a young child at home without adequate supervision.

Catherine R. Bater, 20, of 112 Lake St., Le Roy is charged with grand larceny and endangering the welfare of a child 1st. Bater was arrested by Le Roy Police on two separate cases. In the first case, Bater is accused of stealing a laptop computer, digital camera and multiple DVDs from a residence on Lathrop Avenue on or about Sept. 25. The camera and computer were recovered. In the second incident, Bater is accused of switching out a prescription of generic Ritalin belonging to a juvenile with high blood pressure medication (Clonidine). The switched medication was subsequently administered to the juvenile causing the youth to lose consciousness. Batar was arraigned and jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Eric Bratcher, 22, of 7 1/2 North St., Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant. Batcher is accused of violating the terms of his release under supervision contract. Bratcher was originally charged Oct. 16 with burglary, accused of breaking into a Gilbert Street residence and stealing a video game system and games. Bratcher was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Uriah Ian Charles Smoke, 26, of Bloomingdale Road, Basom, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and criminal mischief. Smoke is accused of throwing a glass coffee mug at a minivan while his girlfriend and their child were in the van. The impact caused the glass of the sliding door window to shatter, spraying the infant with glass. The infant was not injured.

Andrew Joseph Lennox, 23, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with trespass. Lennox is accused of being on College Village property after being banned from the property.

An Oakfield man already accused of other thefts is facing new burglary and larceny charges following an investigation by Sheriff's investigators into a recent series of crimes in the Oakfield and Elba area.

Benjamin W. Muntz, 22, of 6966 Knowlesville Road, Basom, is being charged with burglary, 3rd, grand larceny, 3rd, and petit larceny.

Muntz is already being held in the Genesee County Jail on a third-degree burglary charge.

Investigators suspect Muntz of stealing an ATV, a dune buggy and a dirt bike from a residence in the Town of Oakfield between June 20 and June 26. The value of the three vehicles is reportedly more than $2,500.

He's also suspected of stealing a large quantity of tractor weights from a location in Elba between Aug. 1 and Sept. 7 with a total value of more than $8,000.

Muntz is also suspected of stealing tractor weights from outside a building in Alabama around Sept. 1 with a value of about $500.

The ATV, dune buggy and dirt bike have been recovered, officials report, but they believe the tractor weights were sold for scrap metal.

In early September, Muntz was arrested and accused of entering a barn in Alabama and stealing a small child's dirt bike. He's also been accused of trespassing and attempting to steal items from a property in Byron.

On the two new felony charges, Muntz was ordered held without bail.

Jason Michael Norton, 39, of Pekin Road, Oakfield, is charged with grand larceny and petit larceny. Norton is accused of stealing money and giving discounts on store merchandise under retail value while employed at Lowe's. The total value of the alleged thefts exceeds $1,800.

Joseph Charles Wind, 41, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Wind was arrested by Rochester Police on a warrant out of Batavia City Court and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Wind was jailed on $100,000 bail. The nature of the underlying alleged crime was not released.

There's been an increase in home burglaries and overnight vehicle break-ins in the Oakfield and Alabama area, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster.

Some of the burglaries may be related and there is at least one person whom investigators suspect being involved in several -- but not all -- of the thefts.

Items ranging from jewelry and electronics to cars and motorcycles have been stolen during the spree.

"Business is kind of booming out that way," Brewster said.

In Alabama there's been a pair of daylight burglaries that investigators think are connected because of the type of items stolen, the similarity between the houses and the close proximity to each other.

Other burglaries include:

    -- a garage on Drake Street, where a pipe wrench was stolen;
    -- homes on Galloway Road and Fisher Road, both with televisions, cash and other items stolen;
    -- a pair of dirt bike thefts on Oak Street and Cary Street in the Village of Oakfield;
    -- a pick-up truck, also stolen in the village, on Mill Street;
    -- and copper stripped and stolen from a home across from Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School on Route 63.

It's likely, Brewster said, that local thieves -- in addition to the one person already a person of interest -- is involved in these larcenies.

A local resident whose car was broken into over night called The Batavian and wondered why the Sheriff's Office isn't increasing patrols in the area.

Brewster said that approach isn't really productive. Unless a deputy is super familiar with a neighborhood, he might not spot cars or people who are out of place.

"That's why it's so important that people call us if they see something suspicious," Brewster said.

Brewster said if a resident sees an unfamiliar car drive down a street and drop somebody off, or if a garage door has been left open, for example, it's a good idea to call the Sheriff's Office (343-5000).

WBTA's Geoff Redick contributed to this report.

A man has fallen approximately 25 feet from a tree at 106 South Main St., Oakfield.

He may have a broken hip.

As a precaution, Mercy Flight on in-air standby.

Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene. ETA five minutes.

Within days, the Town of Batavia will complete the purchase of 19 acres of land from the City of Batavia ostensibly to clear the way for a new courts facility.

The facility, the story line has gone, would enable the Town of Batavia to merge court functions with the towns of Oakfield and Elba.

What has been little known while this process has gone forward is that neither Oakfield nor Elba ever agreed to such a court consolidation.

In fact, the Oakfield Town Board voted several months ago to reject court consolidation with Batavia.

As for Elba, the board has never taken action to either approve or disapprove consolidation, but the town did apply for and receive a $10,000 state grant to remodel its court bench a year ago and invested another $5,000 of town money in other courtroom upgrades.

Greg Post, supervisor for the Town of Batavia, said that two years ago, when the project was first proposed, there was more momentum behind the idea of consolidation, but over time the other towns have shifted gears.

It's not even a project, he said, that he's paid much attention to recently.

"It's off the top of the pile of my (to-do) list," Post said. "I have a fire district contract to deal with, a budget, infrastructure issues, Alpina coming in. This is something that will be considered in time, but I have other projects to deal with."

Although it's not at the top of Post's to-do list, it is apparently high on the town attorney's list.

On Tuesday, Batavia City Manager Jason Moliono said he had spoke with the town's attorney that day.

"I've been corresponding with the attorney and everything seems to be in place for us to sign the purchase agreement in the next couple of days and then proceed to escrow," Molino said.

The town is paying $150,000 for the property and one of the conditions of the purchase is that the town build a $140,000 sidewalk on Park Road and Richmond Avenue.

At a time when the idea of consolidation between the town and city is still, at least technically, an unresolved issue, City Council President Marianne Clattenburg -- the only council member to vote against selling the 19 acres to the town -- questions why the project has proceeded as far as it has.

She had no idea until Tuesday evening that neither Oakfield nor Elba had signed off on a court consolidation proposal.

"The wise course of action is to put these plans on hold until the citizens vote on consolidation," Clattenburg said. "Why expend any amount of dollars on this until then?"

The city has a fairly new court in the Genesee County Court building on at 10 W. Main St.

Post said that with or without consolidation, the town needs a new court facility.  The current Town Hall, opened about seven years ago, is running out of office space, Post said.

The town board considered expanding the building, but decided it made more sense to build a new court facility.

"I feel strongly that unless something has changed that I don't know about, we will need to expand  space for our courts and it would be beneficial for our communities," Post said.

About the time the town was making its decision to build a new court facility, Post said he heard that Oakfield and Elba had talked about consolidating. He said it made sense to offer those towns the opportunity to move its courts to the new town court building.

In this same time period, Post said, he heard the chamber of commerce was looking for a new facility, so space was offered to the chamber as well.

The site selected is bounded on two sides by Park Road and just west of Oak Street. It's a wetlands area with an open pond popular with ducks and geese that is nearly hidden from view and hard for people to access. The city acquired the land from the federal government in 1968 and in order to get approval from the Veterans Administration to buy the land, the town had to agree to protect and mitigate the wetlands and build the sidewalks on Park and Richmond.

"We elected to make the purchase and offer the facility up to other communities as an opportunity," Post said.

While Oakfield Town Supervisor Micheal Cianfrini believes town court consolidation is likely and even beneficial, Oakfield, he said, will not consolidate with Batavia.

He said the town board decided Batavia wasn't a good fit with Oakfield. It would make more sense, he said, to consolidate with towns closer to Oakfield's size, such as Alabama and Elba.

A 6-year-old on a bike suffered minor injuries Sunday morning after striking a car pulling out of a parking lot on Main Street in Oakfield.

The child's injuries were minor enough that he was not transported to a hospital.

Hurt was Chase B. Guzdek, of Irving Parkway, Oakfield.

Chase was riding southbound on a sidewalk on Main Street at 10:21 a.m. when a car driven by Deanna S. Keenan, 49, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, was pulling out of a parking lot. Keenan looked past buildings to initiate a left turn.

Chase could not stop in time to avoid the car due to his speed, Deputy Chris Parker wrote in his report.

No citations were issued.

(Initial Report)

A pedestrian appears to not be seriously injured after being hit by a car outside the M&T Bank, 54 Main St., Oakfield.

The victim is conscious and alert and walking.

Oakfield fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 10:29 a.m.: Units responding non-emergency mode. Confirmed, minor injuries.

UPDATE 10:31 a.m.: Mercy Medic 2 put back in service. Victim will be transported to the hospital by private vehicle.

Barry L. Posey, 19, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Posey was arrested following a traffic stop on a bench warrant out of the Town of Batavia Court. He was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Gina Lynn Schmidt, 22, of Forest Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with disorderly conduct. During an investigation into an unrelated matter it was discovered that there was an active bench warrant in place for the arrest of Schmidt. She was held on $175 bail.