Oakfield

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the accident that claimed the life of a volunteer firefighter on Fisher Road, Oakfield, at 8:04 p.m., Tuesday.

David Beehler Jr., 37, of 3514 Maltby Road, Oakfield, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The accident was reported as a single-vehicle crash. Beehler was driving a 2009 Dodge Ram pickup truck, which hit a tree and a utility pole. He was the sole occupant and was ejected.

Assisting at the scene was the Oakfield and Elba fire departments, Mercy EMS, the Crash Management Team and State Police.

Jess Colopy is a journalism student Columbia College Chicago and as a class project she produced this photo essay comparing Christmas in her hometown with her college town, Oakfield and Chicago. 

Chicago: Millennium Park’s Christmas Tree, viewed by millions of visitors every year. The 64-foot-tall tree was lit during a massive ceremony on Nov. 24, where the cast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and members of the Chicago Opera performed Christmas carols to the crowd of thousands.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.) Roughly 50 six- to seven-foot trees border Oakfield’s Triangle Park. The trees were lit on Dec. 5 in a ceremony that about 100 people were expected to attend. The trees were purchased by non-for-profits, family businesses, and families wishing to memorialize a lost loved one. 

Chicago: Wreaths and presents adorn The Art Institute of Chicago’s giant bronze lion statues on Michigan Avenue. The lions stand larger than life, towering over visitors who stand next to them for photographs.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.)  Small, lit wreaths adorn the Village of Oakfield Office building on Main Street. The office is conveniently located next to the town’s only traffic light, part of which is visible on the right. “Welcome” banners sporting a Christmas tree also hang off of the old-fashioned streetlights.

Chicago: The Prudential building and other skyscrapers light up red and green for the holiday season. Other buildings such as the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center are also well known for lighting up the Chicago skyline for Christmas.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.)  A piece of watering equipment on a family farm on the outskirts of Oakfield is decked out in lights for Christmas. This is a recent tradition among farmers in the rural village.

For my photo essay, I have chosen to explore the differences between Christmas in Chicago, an urban metropolis, and Oakfield, New York, my rural hometown of less than 1800 people. I thought this would be an appropriate topic for myself specifically because this year is my first Christmas in the city, and I started noticing the differences as soon as the decorations started going up and the Christmas sales began. After some research, I realized that not much has been done on the topic. An article by the Harris County Public Library cites the movies that explore the difference between small town and big city Christmases -- you know, the ones where the tough, big-city businessman too wrapped up in his work meets the small-town girl who finds a way to break into his tough heart and get him in the holiday spirit -- but those movies are all I can really find on the topic.

Obviously, my photo essay will be different because it shows what Christmas in a real small town is like compared to what Christmas is actually like in a big city. Both places are cold and generally snowy, but the atmosphere is completely different. Articles on the Christmas festivities in each individual place prove that. The City of Chicago’s Web site’s event page for the Millennium Park Christmas Tree lighting lists the big name opera star and musical cast that will be headlining the event, as well as the information about the original home of the massive tree to be lit in the park. Thousands of people attended. On the other hand, an article from the Batavia Daily News discusses the meaning of the small, hand-decorated trees that memorialize lost loved ones and special non-for-profit causes in Oakfield’s Triangle Park. A marching band information Web site states that Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Parade draws more than one million spectators with its elaborate floats and familiar Disney characters. The Batavia Daily News states that a Christmas parade in Batavia - -a small city with a population of less than 7,000 about 15 minutes from Oakfield -- drew just over 1,000 people from surrounding towns with its floats from local family businesses, churches, and non-for-profits.

Everything is bigger in Chicago, while everything in Oakfield is more humbly done, but generally more personal. There are certainly advantages to each way of celebrating Christmas, but maybe the two are not as different as they seem. At heart, both places simply want to make the holiday season a fun, memorable time for its citizens, and each place’s respective celebrations simply reflect the atmosphere they are held in. Chicago is home to more than three million people, so its “bigger is better” attitude about the holiday is nothing but what one would expect. Oakfield is a quiet, conservative town, and its simple, heartfelt festivities that focus on giving back to the community suit it perfectly. And, honestly, neither place is wrong, despite what biased holiday movies might try to say about the impersonal aspects of big city Christmas, or the boringness of small towns. Though they may be different, they both focus on what is important: the spirit of the season.

Pictured above is Batavia chiropractor Dr. Tom Mazurkiewicz and his secretary Brittany Moretti, who are continuing the legacy of Don Carroll.

Mazurkiewicz along with Beth and Brian Kemp from T-Shirts Etc. have joined together to host the annual Toy Drive for Kids at his office, Mazurkiewicz Family Chiropractic 184 Washington Ave., Batavia, this Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Tom has been involved for more than 25 years helping Don, who asked him to carry the tradition for him and keep it going in his memory. Mazurkiewicz said that anytime between now (during office hours) until the close of Monday, donors are welcome to bring in an unwrapped toys for ages 2 to 15.

If you come to the event this Saturday, he will offer a free chiropractic adjustment at no charge.

Local nurses from Batavia and Oakfield school districts have provided names of 52 children who will receive the gifts at a private party that is hosted by the Kemps.  

For questions, call (585) 343-9316.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported on Lewiston Road, Oakfield. Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medic #1 are responding.

A possible grass fire is reported in the area of 3583 Batavia Oakfield Town Line Road, approximately a half mile from Lewiston Road (Route 63). Oakfield Fire Department is responding. Smoke is showing.

Jeffrey D. Bald, 33, of 30 Craigie St., Le Roy, and Ted E. Kingsley, 43, of 61 Myrtle St., #7, Le Roy, are charged with two counts each of second-degree burglary and one count each of petit larceny and attempted petit larceny. Bald and Kingsley were arrested after Village of Le Roy PD received a complaint from a neighbor of suspicious persons inside and then leaving a residence on Myrtle Street. Bald was allegedly located by a patrol walking nearby carrying a duffle bag of property. Kingsley was later determined to also be involved in the alleged burglary and was arrested. Bald and Kingsley are also suspects in a prior burglary of the same residence two days earlier. Kingsley was jailed on $15,000 bail and Bald on $25,000.

Sara A. Howard, 20, of 8486 W. Bergen Road, lot #15, Le Roy, was arrested on a pair of warrants. The first was out of the Town of Le Roy for an alleged theft of money and an iPhone from an acquaintance in the Village of Le Roy. The second was on a charge of petit larceny out of Rochester. Howard was arraigned and issued an appearance ticket on the local charge and then turned over to Rochester PD.

Amy M. Kaplun, 20, of 31 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Kaplun allegedly stole money from a Village of Le Roy business while employed there.

Habib Kassim Abdullah Nasser, 34, of East Ferry Street, Buffalo, is charged with evading cigarette tax on 10,000 or more cigarettes and speeding. Nasser was stopped 1:34 a.m. on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona. He as allegedly found in possession of 12,000 untaxed cigarettes.

Jessica L. Ford, 24, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Ford was allegedly found driving a vehicle with a passenger whom she is barred from contacting by a complete stay away order. Ford was jailed without bail.

Glenn H. Quintern, 56, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd. Quintern allegedly stabbed a woman in the leg with a pair of scissors at about 11 p.m. Friday.

William Edward Bissette, 53, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bissette was stopped at 4:47 p.m. Saturday on South Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona, following a complaint of an altercation between two people at the 7-Eleven in Oakfield.

Dillon Lee James Farley, 23, of Ridge Road, Elba, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to keep right. Farley was arrested by Deputy Joseph Loftus following a report of an accident at 2:40 a.m. Saturday on Ridge Road, Elba.

Melanie Mary Matesz, 50, of Schurr Road, Akron, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Matesz allegedly used a vehicle owned by another person for several days without knowledge or consent of the owner. Matesz was also charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, for allegedly being at a residence she was barred from visiting.

Jordan J. Hardy, 26, of Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with sex offender failure to report a change of address. Hardy, a registered sex offender, allegedly failed to report a change of address. He was jailed without bail.

An ATV vs. car accident is reported in the area of 41 S. Main St., Oakfield.

An injury is reported.

South Main is being closed at Coe and at Pearl.

Oakfield fire on scene. Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:27 p.m.: The suspect, who was driving the ATV, fled on foot to a wooded area off Pearl Street. A deputy is out with him and will use his flashlight to direct medics to his location.

UPDATE 9:23 p.m.: Road is open. Oakfield back in service.

Tony R. Judd, 26, of Akron, is charged with petit larceny. While employed at Walmart, Judd allegedly stole $550 in cash from a register over a five-day period.

Cailee Amber Neiss, 21, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Neiss allegedly slashed the tires on a car parked at a location on Lewiston Road, Batavia, on Monday.

Homer Jay Bush, 34, of Orchard Street, Oakfield, is charged with two counts harassment, 2nd. Bush allegedly hit two people during a domestic dispute at a residence on Bridge Road, Elba, at 9:44 p.m. Saturday.

Brad Michael Prinzi, 34, of Batavia Elba Townline Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, operating without a motor vehicle inspection certificate and inadequate plate lamp. Prinzi was stopped at 12:27 a.m. Oct. 20 on Townline Road, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Walter B. Hale, 38, of Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd,and endangering the welfare of a child. Hale was allegedly involved in a verbal argument that became physical in front of his children. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Jessica A. Valvano-Hoag, 20, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Valvano-Hoag allegedly stole $70 in makeup from Walmart.

Brandon C. Smart, 38, of River Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass and harassment, 2nd. Smart allegedly refused to leave a home on Summit Street and threatened to kill the residents. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Brad Michael Prinzi, 34, of Batavia Elba Townline Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speed violation, operating without vehicle inspection certificate, inadequate plate lamp. Prinzi was stopped at 12:27 a.m. Tuesday on Townline Road, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Brodes J. Gibson, 54, of Thorpe Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful fleeing, 3rd, reckless driving, DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. Officer Christopher Lindsay attempted to stop Gibson for alleged traffic violations at 7:44 p.m. Oct. 11 on East Main Street, and Gibson allegedly failed to stop and instead engaged police on a short pursuit into the parking lot of Batavia Gardens. He was stopped in the east driveway and taken into custody without further incident. He was jailed without bail.

Katherine L. Urf, 54, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with DWAI/combined influence of drugs. Urf was stopped after complaints of an erratic driver at 4:24 p.m. Oct. 12 on Hutchins Street, Batavia, by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Khadijah A. Davis, 24, of Arnett Boulevard, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant. Davis allegedly failed to appear on a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Rachel M. Jordan, 19, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Jordan allegedly failed to cooperate during grand jury proceedings.

Tera Michele Williams, 42, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Williams allegedly failed to appear on a disorderly conduct charge.

Gladys May Patmore, 54, of East Buffalo Street, Churchville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and stopping on a public highway. Patmore was allegedly found sleeping in her vehicle at 10:16 p.m. Saturday off of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Press release:

The Village of Oakfield’s Department of Public Works plan to flush hydrants throughout the Village and Town of Oakfield beginning Oct. 19th and concluding Oct. 23rd. Residents may notice some discoloration in water and possible low pressure.

(Also, a reminder to Village residents -- street parking regulations change beginning Nov. 1st through April 30th.)

Brian L. Brennan, 46, of Maple Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with criminal sale of marijuana, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Brennan allegedly gave a quantity of marijuana to a 15-year-old in Attica Village Park on Monday. The park is monitored by surveillance cameras and patrolled frequently by Attica PD. Following an investigation by Attica PD, he was arraigned and jailed on $2,000 bail, or $5,000 bond.  

Kevin Scott Ludwig, 41, South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving while using a mobile phone and failure to signal a turn. Ludwig was stopped at 2:17 a.m. on Stevens Street, Oakfield, by Joseph Corona.

Joseph Benjamin Baldassara, 29, of 3rd Street, Youngstown, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate muffler. Baldassara was stopped at 10:26 p.m. Friday on South Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Ramon Alberto Quinones, 21, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Quinones is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Cary Michael Alexyn, 40, of Eaton Road, Irondequoit, is charged with petit larceny. Alexyn is accused of stealing multiple items of jewelry from his sister's residence in Oakfield when he stayed there in May.

David Joseph Gorney, 47, of Applewood Lane, Erie, Pa., was arrested as a fugitive from justice. Gorney was incarcerated in the Genesee County Jail on a felony DWI charge. He was released and then arrested as a fugitive from justice. He was ordered held without bail pending extradition.

Erica Lynn Manuel, 22, of Fourth Section Road, Brockport, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and failure to obey a traffic device. Manuel was stopped at 8:37 a.m. Friday on Byron Holley Road, Byron, by Deputy Joseph Corona. She was ordered held on $1,000 bail.

John Roderick Benton, 57, of Colby Road, Darien, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and obstructed plate. Benton was stopped at 12:44 p.m. Thursday,on Tinkham Road, Darien, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Benton was allegedly driving with a BAC four times the legal limit.

Anthony James Demmer, 20, of Town Place, Oakfield, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, 1st. Demmer was stopped at 9:34 p.m. Sunday on North Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Cierra Lanae Kettles, 19, of Elmdorf Avenue, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Kettles allegedly threatened another person while at a party at 12:30 a.m. Saturday on East Main Street, Batavia.

Christopher Reynaldo Santos, 21, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Santos allegedly stole merchandise from Kohl's Department Store.

Raymer Antonio Leonardo, 19, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Leonardo allegedly stole merchandise from Kohl's Department Store.

Nolan Robert Powless, 18, of East Center Street, Medina, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver and no plate lamps. Powless was stopped at 2:27 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona. Powless was allegedly wanted on a warrant out of Orleans County, so he was taken into custody and turned over to State Police.

Erin Marie VanDorn, 27, of Bennett Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to stop for a stop sign and unsafe lane usage. VanDorn was stopped at 12:36 a.m. Saturday on Buffalo Street, Alexander, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Shaun Claude Connors, 36, of Bissell Avenue, Depew, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Connors is an inmate in the Erie County Jail. He was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Pembroke Court. Bail was set at $750.

Lucas Daniel Allen, 25, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Allen was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 6:59 p.m. Wednesday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Heidi L. Hopkins, 41, of Cherry Street, Perry, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Hopkins was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged equipment violation on Wolcott Street in the Village of Le Roy. After a brief investigation Hopkins was arrested after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of heroin and other drug paraphernalia.

A throng of fans turned out Friday night for Alexander's homecoming game and they went home happy after the Trojans secured a 46-12 victory over the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets.

On a night when the Trojans mostly kept the ball on the ground, they gained 327 yards on 43 carries.

The team was also 5-12 passing for 100 yards.

Jake Wozniak was an offensive powerhouse, tossing an 11-yard TD pass to Derrick Busch to close the second half and rushing 21 times for 219 yards and a TD, tacking on a two-point conversion.

Dane Heberlein scored four touchdowns (one of them pictured above) on 16 carries. He gained 100 yards. He also had a two-point conversion. On defense, he had six tackles and three interceptions. The junior free safety now has seven INTs on the season.

Dustin Schmeider had two catches for 44 yards. Josh Szymanski had a catch for 22 yards and six tackles on defense.

Zack Jasen had six tackles in the middle.

Alexander is now 3-2 on the season.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

A two-car accident with what are believed to be minor injuries is reported at 25 Main St. in Oakfield, by the Caryville Inn. Oakfield fire is responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: A first responder reports the vehicles are blocking traffic.

Mary Frombgen, of Gasport, was the big winner in a drawing at Batavia Downs on Saturday, claiming a prize of $5,000 toward the purchase of a vehicle from Crazy Cheap Cars, in Oakfield. Frombgen went to the dealership yesterday, test drove several vehicles and settled on a 2012 Buick LaCrosse, which she said she just loved. Pictured with Frombgen is Crazy Cheap Cars owner Mike Ognibene.

While in Oakfield this afternoon, I spotted this Little Free Library on Farnsworth Avenue.