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Oakfield

Sometimes Good Samaritans ride bikes

By Howard B. Owens

A tourist from Holland who was injured and had his bike damaged by a hit-and-run driver Oct. 5 found out Sunday that despite the mishap there are good people in Genesee County who will lend a helping hand.

Rich Ohlson only knows the rider as Bert, but when Det. Todd Crossett, Batavia PD, called Olhson to tell him what he had learned about Bert, Ohlson was more than happy to help.

Bert was hospitalized with minor injuries, but his bicycle was damaged enough that he wouldn't be able to finish his journey through Upstate New York.

The trip began in Canada and would end in Toronto, where Bert would catch a flight back to Holland.

He was alone in a foreign country with no way of continuing as long as his bike was damaged.

"If I was in a jam like that on a Sunday with no bike shops open, I would hope somebody would help me," Ohlson said. "That's what our ministry is all about -- being a servant."

Ohlson heads up Ride to Recovery, an Oakfield-based ministry that uses bicycles as a way to lead people to Christ.

On Sunday, Ohlson went to the motel where Bert was staying after being released from UMMC and brought along his parts and tools trailer for bicycle repair -- Ohlson often tunes up bikes in Austin Park when Care-A-Van is there. It so happened, Ohlson had all the right spare parts, including a back wheel that fit and a luggage rack much like the one destroyed in the accident.

Bert wasn't too interested in Ohlson talking about salvation, so Ohlson said he just went about the business of repairing the bike, hoping that his deeds would speak louder than his words. He did give Bert a Bible to take with him.

"As a fellow bicyclist, he's doing what I would love to do," Ohlson said.

The car that hit Bert is believed to be a small red car with glass missing from the passenger-side mirror as a result of the accident. Anybody with information about the car or the driver can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 345-5000.

Pickup truck blaze put out by Oakfield firefighters

By Billie Owens

A pickup truck fire near 7360 Lewiston Road prompted response from the Oakfield Fire Department. The fire is now out but fire police are still needed for traffic control at Orchard and Main.

UPDATE 9:08 p.m.: The Oakfield assignment is back in service. The roads are reopened.

Photos: Three shots from a late afternoon drive

By Howard B. Owens

After covering Batavia High School girls swimming at Genesee Community College (post on that tomorrow), I decided to go for a drive through our beautiful county and make a few pictures.  Here are three shots from the drive.

First stop, above, Warboys Road, Byron.

Along North Byron Road.

Darkness on the edge of town ... Judge Road, Oakfield.

Don Carroll leaves a legacy of generosity

By Bonnie Marrocco

Batavia resident Donald R. Carroll dedicated himself to his community and spent most of his life helping youth in Genesee County: He lived by his motto, “Pay it forward.” He is well known in Western New York for his charity work, which has raised thousands of dollars for many young residents of Genesee County over the last 30-plus years.

Carroll was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last March and succumbed to the disease Wednesday morning. He was 58.

A former employee at Angelica Healthcare, he stopped working after his diagnosis, but he continued to devote his life to raising money to buy toys for his yearly Christmastime party for children in need.

“Don was a very humble man who truly believed in paying it forward,” said Jerry Foster, his sixth-grade teacher, lifelong friend and helper with Don's various charity efforts, including the annual 5K run and Toys for Kids.

“His personal life experience and the lessons he learned from his aunt who raised him, made him the man we all knew. Right up to the end he was concerned about missing this year's Toys for Kids toy distribution party. It was always an emotional time for him, a person who definitely knew the meaning of the words poverty, compassion and caring.”

Carroll graduated from Oakfield-Alabama Central School in 1974. Instead of following the trend of going off to college after getting his diploma, Carroll decided to join the workforce and focus on his passion for helping less fortunate children.

He was born in Kansas City, Kan., but he and one of his sisters ended up being raised by an aunt in Oakfield after losing both parents at an early age.

“I lost my parents when I was 5 and people were very generous to me and my sister at Christmastime. That’s something I never forgot and that’s why I do it,” Carroll said. “I strongly believe all of us become who we are because of life experiences and the way we react to those experiences. We can pick up the ball and run with it, or we can fumble our way through life. I chose to run.”

For his first organized project, he partnered with the Genesee/Wyoming YMCA to raise money to send kids to camp. The fundraiser was successful for 23 years.

Shortly after the camp fundraiser, Carroll switched his focus to helping students with college expenses. He started a 5k and 10k run in Batavia to support the Genesee Community College Foundation.

Carroll collaborated with the YMCA over the years on many different occasions; most recently they combined efforts for Don’s Secret Santa fundraiser to give gifts to children at Christmastime.

Carroll wanted to ensure that underprivileged children would not be disappointed on Christmas morning. This project has recently been expanded to provide grade-school kids with supplies for school and winter coats.

Despite preferring to achieve results rather than garner recognition, Carroll received numerous awards and certificates for his humanitarian efforts. In 1997 Carroll was named Geneseean of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and he was inducted into the Oakfield-Alabama Central School Hall of Fame in 2009.

MVP Health Care awarded Carroll the Ultimate Game Changer in 2012. The contest was looking for people who make a significant difference in their communities by making them better, healthier places to live.

“All of the game changer finalists are examples of the kinds of everyday heroes MVP wanted to celebrate,” said Denise Gonick, MVP’s president of Operations. “Don’s story, especially, is wonderfully inspiring. Despite all the hardship in his life and, now, his illness, Don has never stopped giving back and paying it forward. It’s a reminder that wherever you are, whoever you are, you can make a difference.”

Foster now serves as a member of the fund committee, which has a mission to carry out Carroll’s last wish.

“His main thing when I talked to him was, he wanted to make sure the kids’ party goes off in December,” Foster said. “I promised him it would.”

The committee will discuss how to proceed with fundraisers, including the Donald R. Carroll 5K that has been part of Summer in the City each year.

Carroll didn’t want to be the center of attention, so he requested that there be no calling hours and no memorial service, Foster said.

“A Celebration of Don’s Life” will be held instead at 7 p.m. Monday at Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St.

He is to be cremated and his ashes spread on his Aunt Ruth Anderson’s grave at Hillside Cemetery in East Pembroke.

Memorials may be made to the Donald R. Carroll Toys for Kids Fund, care of Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St., Batavia, NY 14020.

A forgotten wallet helps police locate suspected copper thief

By Howard B. Owens
Robert Peachey Roy Hooten

A suspected copper thief forgot his wallet at Home Depot, according to State Police, and when he came back for it, employees identified him as a suspect in the theft.

His alleged accomplice was located in the parking lot.

Troopers and deputies then went on a search in Batavia and Oakfield last Saturday night to locate the vehicle with the allegedly stolen copper.

Eventually, the car was found and Roy Hooten, 52, and Robert Peachey, both of Oakfield, were charged with conspiracy, 5th.

In addition, Peachey was charged with grand larceny, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and was jailed on $10,000 bail following arraignment in Town of Batavia Court.

Hooten is accused of causing a distraction in Home Depot so Peachey could carry the copper to a vehicle waiting outside.

After the two men left, Peachey apparently discovered he didn't have his wallet. The men reportedly parked the car and walked back to Home Depot. By then, troopers were on location and the men refused to cooperate and reveal the location of the vehicle, according to Trooper Victor Morales, public information officer for Troop A, Batavia Barracks.

Five years ago this month, Hooten was arrested for stealing scrap metal in Oakfield. We don't know the outcome of those cases. He was sentenced to two to four years in state prison on an attempted burglary charge and released from prison Nov. 2. In 2006, he was sentenced to one to four years on an attempted criminal possession of a weapon conviction. He was released on parole in August 2007.

Law and Order: Cashier accused of stealing $1K from Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Samantha Jane Roberts, 22, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny. Roberts is accused of stealing $1,072 in cash from registers at Walmart while employed as a cashier.

Adante L. Davis, 23, of 32 Washington Ave., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct.  Davis allegedly made obscene gestures and used foul language directed at police officers while the officers were working in the area of West Main Street.

William C. Wurster, 52, 337 Bank Street, Apt. 70, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. During a dispute with a neighbor, Wurster allegedly picked up a 2x4 and swung it around his head in a threatening manner.

Patrick Gilman Kimball, 30, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and failure to dim headlights.  Kimball was stopped at 2:30 a.m., Friday, on Route 5, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Andrew Charles Webster, 20, of North Street, Leicester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Webster was allegedly found in possession of Tramadol during a traffic stop at 11:47 p.m., Sunday, on Gillate Road, Alexander, by Investigator John Weis.

Curtis Paul Howden, 34, of Redman Road, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlawful possession of marijuana, drinking in a motor vehicle and failure to keep right. Howden was stopped at 12:35 a.m., Friday, on South Lake Road, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Kasey Ann Woodhouse, 24, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Woodhouse is accused of sending harassing messages to another person via Facebook after being told not to have contact with that person.

Robert L. Peachey, 30, of Oakfield, is charged with conspiracy 5th and grand larceny 4th, and Roy D. Hooten, 52, of Oakfield, is charged with conspiracy 5th. Peachey and Hooten were arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 10:03 p.m., Saturday. No further details released.

Corfu girl flown to Strong following two-vehicle accident in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A 9-year-old girl from Corfu lost consciousness following an accident this afternoon in Oakfield and was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.

After the girl regained consciousness, Samantha Davis started screaming and was screaming as she was loaded onto the helicopter. First responders took her screaming as a good sign.

Samantha was a passenger in a 2010 sedan driven by her mother, Christine A. Davis, 33, of Pratt Road, Corfu.

According to Sgt. James Meier, Davis was driving south on Lewiston Road and started a left-hand turn onto Maltby Road.

Her car was T-boned by a 2012 Ford pickup truck driven by Jon Doran, 48, of Weber Avenue, Oakfield.

Doran, his wife, Kimberly, 46, and son, Cody, 23, all suffered minor injuries and were transported to UMMC.

Christine Davis was transported by ground ambulance to Strong.

She was cited for alleged right-of-way violation.

The investigation was conducted by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS responded to the scene.

(initial report)

Serious injury accident at Lewiston and Albion roads, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with serious injuries is reported at 6916 Lewiston Road at the corner of Albion Road. Oakfield Fire Department is responding along with two Mercy rigs. Mercy Flight is on ground standby. One victim is unresponsive.

UPDATE 1:51 p.m.: A responder says traffic control is needed and two Oakfield Fire Police are called. Mercy Flight is called to the scene, a junction known as Five Corners.

UPDATE 1:53 a.m.: The Mercy Flight landing zone will be the school.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: The Crash Management Team is called in.

UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: Another Mercy unit is called, non-emergency.

UPDATE 1:59 p.m.: The third Mercy unit is cancelled, back in service. Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia has a three-minute ETA. The unresponsive patient is now conscious.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: The Crash Management Team and investigator will not be needed. One ambulance is transporting a patient to Strong Memorial Hospital. The second one is taking a patient to the Mercy Flight landing zone at the school. The third ambulance was called back to the scene, emergency mode, where there are two three remaining patients. One of them has facial injuries and shoulder pain.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Strong.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: The Oakfield Fire Department is back in service.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: Three "trauma patients" are being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: Bound for UMMC are: a 46-year-old female, who was wearing a selt belt, and complains of left hand pain; a 23-year-old male, who was unrestrained in the rear seat of the pickup truck involved and has a laceration on his chin and abrasions to his left chest area; and a 48-year-old male driver, who wore a selt belt, and complains of pain in his lower abdomen.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: The Oakfield assignment is back in service.

Two women arguing over stray cats at School House Manor, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

Sheriff's deputies are responding to a complaint of two women arguing in the parking lot at School House Manor apartments, located at 1 N. Pearl St. in the Village of Oakfield.

They are fussing over one's efforts to round up stray cats there in order to sterilize them through the local non-profit "Spay Our Strays." It is a spay and neuter program wherein stray cats and dogs are captured, sterilized and then released in the place they were originally found.

UPDATE 12:13 p.m.: An animal control officer is dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: The animal control officer is returning to the shelter, alone.

Man charged with burglary in Niagara County being investigated for Oakfield break-ins

By Howard B. Owens

An Orleans County man arrested for an alleged burglary in progress in Niagara County is a possible suspect in a series of bold burglaries in the Village of Oakfield, according to Investigator Kris Kautz, of the Sheriff's Office.

Jonathan K. Banks, of 4886 S. Townline Road, Ridgeway, is charged with one count of second-degree burglary after allegedly breaking into a house at 5:20 a.m. Thursday, according to OrleansHub.

Banks is also a person of interest in similar burglaries in Albion and Medina.

In all the cases, according to investigators, a person entered homes, often while the residents were there, and grabbed purses and other items that might contain money or valuables and left quickly.

Kautz said there may be search warrants executed today on Banks' property and residence.

In May, Banks was charged with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly taking a 12-year-old girl from Albion to Buffalo overnight.

He was jailed in Niagara County on $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond.

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of walking in middle of road in Wyoming County

By Howard B. Owens

Gregory S. Snyder, 45, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful possession of marijuana. The Wyoming County Sheriff's Office received two separate complaints of a man walking in the middle of the roadway on Route 98, Town of Attica. About 90 minutes later, there was a complaint of a man walking in the middle of the roadway on Route 98 in the Town of Bennington. Synder was reportedly located by deputies walking on Route 98. Snyder was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing the flow of traffic. Upon his arrest he was allegedly found in possession of marijuana. Snyder was reportedly transported to the Village of Attica and released to a sober third party.

Charles Howard Sims, 43, of McIntyre Road, Caledonia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and two counts of criminal mischief. Sims allegedly choked a woman during a domestic incident. He also allegedly ripped her shirt and also damaged a door. Sims was jailed on $250 bail.

Jacob Duane Defisher, 17, Roanoke Road, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Defisher allegedly pushed another person and then punched that person causing the person's lip to bleed and swell.

Louis Michael Biro, 52, of East Shelby Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, failure to stop for stop sign, speeding (unreasonable speed, special hazards), unapproved/no face shield on motorcycle. Biro was allegedly driving at the time when a one-vehicle accident occurred involving a motorcycle at 10:12 p.m. Sept. 9 on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama. The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl.

Out-of-town duo accused of dealing crack in Village of Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens
Cindy Battistoni Sakeel Hilson

A woman from Akron is accused of selling crack cocaine to an agent of the Genesee County Drug Enforcement Task Force on Friday afternoon in the Village of Oakfield.

The woman and a passenger in her vehicle were allegedly found in possession of drugs and cash when they were arrested.

Taken into custody were Cindy Ann Battistoni, 41, of Greenbush Road, Akron, and Sakeel D. Hilson, 20, of Stevens Avenue, Buffalo.

Battistoni was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and marijuana.

Hilson was allegedly found in possession of crack, morphine and $1,050 cash.

The charges against Battistoni are criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Hilson is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.

Both suspects were arraigned in Oakfield and jailed on $25,000 bail each.

Task force members were assisted by uniformed deputies and the District Attorney's Office.

Law and Order: Woman accused of breaking property; man accused of assault

By Howard B. Owens

Katherine J. Briggs, 34, of 172 S. Main St., #112, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Briggs allegedly damaged property of another person during an argument. The alleged incident was reported at 2:16 a.m., Saturday.

Kyle E. Kirtley, 24, of 6 Pine Tree Road, Central Square, is charged with assault, 3rd. Kirtley is accused of punching another person in the head several times causing substantial pain. The alleged incident was reported at 2:16 a.m. Saturday at 172 S. Main St., Batavia. Kirtley was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Tracey Lynn Brewer, 48, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Brewer is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Sara Marie Zilliox, 38, of South 7th Street, Lewiston, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Zilliox was charged following a traffic stop at 1:05 a.m. Saturday on Lake Road, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Christine Marie Osborne, 38, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Osborne is accused of stealing $62.78 in merchandise from Walmart.

Mark Anthony Rebmann, 24, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Rebmann is accused shoplifting $24.99 in merchandise from Kmart. During the investigation by Deputy Joseph Graff, Rebmann was allegedly found in possession of heroin.

April Marie Palmer, 27, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a grand larceny, 4th, charge.

Dale A. Hollwedel, 26, of 9983 Francis Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Hollwedel was stopped at 1:42 a.m. Thursday following a complaint in the MacDonald's drive thru by Officer Jason Davis.

Kimberly M Volk, 24, of 111 Liberty St., Apt. A, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Volk is accused of shoplifting at Tops.

Willie F. Irvin II, 31, of 22 Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Irvin is accused of verbally threatening another person while on State Street. He was jailed on $750 bail.

Jason E. Carpenter, 35, of 137 State St., Batavia, is charged with disobeying a mandate. Carpenter allegedly contacted another person in violation of an order of protection.

Rosemary R. Waters, 27, of 23 Forrest Ave., Oakfield, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th.  Waters allegedly picked up a mobile phone from the floor during an altercation and threw it back down, breaking it.

Froylan Hernandez, 26, from California, is charged with trespass. Hernandez was arrested by State Police following a report at 2:14 p.m. Aug. 10 on Wilkinson Road, Batavia. Hernandez was jailed on bail. No further details released.

Maurice G. Leach, 37, of Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Leach was arrested in the Town of Batavia by State Police. No further details released.

The following individuals were arrested by State Police at 11:30 p.m. Friday at a location in the Town of Bergen, and charged with trespass: Alana M. Diefendorf, 16, Olivia R. Sweet, 16, Jacob M. Hillabush, 19, Danielle C. Zelazny, 17, Joseph T. Burr, 20, Dakota Troy Harlach, 20, Hannah M. Feary, 19, Kyle K. Shultz, 19, Daniel J. Ognibene, 19, Payton V. Conley, 18, Richard S. Streiff, 19, and Matthew C. Ferris, 18. Diefendorf, Sweet, Hillabush, Zelazny and Burr were also charged with possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Sometimes a cigar box isn't just a cigar box

By Howard B. Owens

Criminal investigators want to know more about this cigar box.

Obviously, it once held 25 Arturo Fuente Flor Fina 858 cigars, but what interests investigators is how it wound up yesterday morning at a location in the Village of Oakfield.

It's location has investigators in the Sheriff's Office thinking it may be related to a recent rash of burglaries in the area.

The box was found shortly after at least three burglaries in the village two nights ago.

The recent series of burglaries have been "pretty nervy," said Investigator Kris Kautz.

The burglars are entering homes when people are home and likely to be awake, such as later afternoon and evening hours, and grabbing anything of value that can be snatched quickly, such as a purse, wallet or a box of potential valuables.

"They're going in when people are home and that's scary stuff," Kautz said. "We don't want something ugly to happen."

The same M.O. has been reported with a series of burglaries in Albion and in one case there, two unidentified young white males were spotted at a time that have investigators thinking they may be involved.

If you are the owner of the box, or if you're the person who placed it where it was found (or know who did place it there), or have other information about the recent burglaries, contact the Sheriff's Office, Investigator Kris Kautz, at (585) 343-5000.

Once complicated case untangled, former fugitive given another two-plus years in prison

By Howard B. Owens

It took nearly three hours for Benjamin Muntz to find out that Judge Robert C. Noonan would be tacking another two to four years onto his prison term.

In the arcane labyrinth of our judicial system's sentencing guidelines, there was no clear cut answer on what to do with Muntz's case.

It's that complicated.

In January, Muntz entered guilty pleas to counts of burglary, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th. Rather than show up for his sentencing in March, he flew south. He also became a suspect in another burglary and was charged with another felony.

Eventually, he was caught and returned to Genesee County.

He was sentenced in April by Noonan to three and a half to seven years in state prison and charged with bail jumping.

If the only charges against Muntz were those earlier felonies and the bail jumping, the sentencing guidelines are clear: Any sentence Muntz received on bail jumping would need to be served consecutively (not at the same time, or concurrently) with his other sentence.

As part of a plea deal, Muntz had received a one and a third to three year sentence cap on the bail jumping charge.

The curve for Noonan was that newer burglary, 3rd, charge.

If Noonan gave Muntz another three and a half to seven on that charge, could the bail jumping sentence be concurrent with that sentence, or would it need to be served consecutively?

Noonan didn't have the answer. The attorneys for the prosecution and the defense didn't have the answer. The prison guards who transported Muntz in his DOCs green jumpsuit to County Court today certainly didn't have the answer.

After consulting his law books and case law in chambers and conferring with attorneys -- in between hearing other cases -- Noonan concluded that if the second burglary sentence was consecutive then the bail jumping sentence would be consecutive to that.

In other words, Muntz would be looking at more than eight years and up to 17 years in prison.

Through his attorney, Thomas Burns, Noonan offered Muntz a deal: waive his sentence cap on the bail jumping conviction so Noonan could sentence him at two to four years and Noonan would make his other burglary charge, at three and a half to seven, concurrent with his prior sentence.

Once Burns got it all thoroughly explained to Muntz, with a little assistance from one of the prison guards, Muntz agreed to the arrangement.

For prior coverage on Muntz, click here.

Jason Jewett remembered with love, honor and respect

By Howard B. Owens

Honor, duty, country. For Jason M. Jewett, those words were more than platitudes, said family and friends following his funeral today in North Pembroke.

His coffin was draped in stars and stripes when it arrived at the cemetery after a procession of more than 100 cars through Batavia and East Pembroke. Two honor guards, with white cotton gloves and golden aiguillettes, removed the flag from the casket and with solemn precision folded it into a razor-sharp triangle.

A guard raised his white-gloved hand toward the deep blue sky. Honor, duty, country, he pronounced loudly enough for God to hear.

"For a young man, he was very patriotic," said his mother, Joyce Jewett, after the service. "He loved his country. He loved his fellow man. He helped people in need everywhere he saw people in need. For a young man with a short career, he accomplished a lot in a short time."

Jewett was an agent with ICE and helped train the agency's Special Response Team.

Team members traveled from as far away as Texas to honor their comrade, who died Friday in a traffic accident on East Eden Road, Eden, in Erie County.

More than 250 people attended his funeral.

The Oakfield native touched many lives, making friends instantly with everybody he met, regardless of race or background or means, said longtime friend Nathan Fix.

"He could walk into a room and, even though you never met him, you would smile," Fix said. "He would smile. He had no enemies."

Deputy Joseph Corona counted Jewett as his best friend.

It was Jewett who lured Corona into law enforcement.

"Law enforcement is a path we both enjoyed," Corona said. "He made me passionate about it and made me want to strive for more. He opened doors for me when I had turmoil in my life and uncertainty, and he always led me on the right path."

The outpouring of love for Jewett following his death came from all quarters and from around the country. It showed, said Corona, what a special man he was.

"I'm happy that he was so loved," Corona said. "Everything that he represented was represented here today."

Joyce Jewett said the funeral was not an end, but a transition.

"Right now, we don't consider him gone," Joyce said. "We consider him onto the next mission. God has a mission for him."

Jewett received a 21-gun salute, taps on a trumpet and "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes. His perfectly folded American flag was presented by a member of the SRT to Joyce and his father Joe. The gloves that folded the flag were laid to rest on the casket.

One-by-one, members of SRT placed their division patches on top of the casket. The INS guards filed through the tent where family sat and each gave each member of the family a hug. Then Jason's parents walked over to the line of SRT members and the line of Sheriff's deputies and officers and hugged each of them. Joe Jewett had a private word with each man. Men and women in the assembled gathering sniffled and cried.

 "Jason deserved this," Joyce said. "He worked hard and he loved his job."

Fix said in their long friendship, they never drifted apart even as their careers took different paths.

"No matter what Jason did, it was always the right thing," said Fix, who first met Jewett when they were security offices together at Darien Lake years and years ago. Jewett helped Fix when he needed it most and they were neighbors in Oakfield for awhile.

"It was an honor to be at the funeral today," Fix said. "He was like a true guardian angel."

Everything happens for a reason, Joyce said. God has a plan. He brought Corona and her son together and built a special bond between them. That friendship helped form new relationships between ICE and the Sheriff's Office, she said (and Fix, who is a dispatcher and volunteer firefighter agreed). Before, agents and deputies might talk on the phone, but now they know each other personally, Joyce said. That relationship will improve both agencies, she said.

Corona said will never forget his friend.

"He is buried here in a part of a town that I patrol and I'll be here every day that I can be to pay my respects," Corona said. "He'll always be remembered as my best friend."

Joyce Jewett found a few bullet hole stickers among her son's belongings, so she gave them to SRT members and Joseph Corona. Jewett like a good practical joke, she said, and putting the stickers on his casket is the kind of thing he'd appreciate, she said.

Awards from Oakfield Labor Days Parade

By Howard B. Owens

Here are the awards that judges handed out following the Oakfield Labor Days Parade on Monday:

Veterans Color Guard

  • 1st Prize: Vietnam Veteran’s Chapter #193
  • 2nd Place: Oakfield-Alabama American Legion #626

Fire Departments

  • 1st Prize Best Appearing: Stafford Volunteer Fire Department
  • 2nd Prize Best Appearing: Alabama Volunteer Fire Department
  • 3rd Prize Best Appearing: Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department
  • Best Appearing Aerial: Town of Batavia Fire Department
  • Best Appearing Pumper: Stafford Volunteer Fire Department
  • Best Appearing Tanker: Byron Volunteer Fire Department
  • Best Appearing Utility & Rescue Vehicle: Alabama Volunteer Fire Department
  • Best Appearing Antique Hand Drawn Fire Apparatus: Attica Fire Company
  • Best Appearing Antique Motorized Fire Equipment: Attica Fire Company

Marching Bands

  • 1st Prize: Alexander Fireman's Marching Band
  • 2nd Prize: Akron Tigers Marching Band
  • 3rd Prize: Oakfield-Alabama Marching Band

Best Novelty Band, Act or Float

  • Grand Prize: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
  • 1st Prize: Crossroads House
  • 2nd Prize: Genesee Country Church
  • 3rd Prize: Batavia Silver Stars

Jason Jewett's love of cars honored by car club attending calling hours at Gilmartin

By Howard B. Owens

More than 300 people showed up this evening for calling hours at the Gilmartin Funeral Home on West Main Street, Batavia, to pay respects to the memory and the family of Jason M. Jewett.

Among the mourners were about three dozen members of a nationwide car club that was proud to include Jason among its members.

Jewett, 31, of South Byron and originally from Oakfield, died Friday in a car crash in Erie County.

The car club members who attended tonight came from throughout the Northeast, but the majority were from Rochester. They represented three teams within the club: Style by Choice, Sunworks and Street Kings.

Any hardcore car enthusiast, regardless of make or model the member owns, is welcome into the club.

Jewett was all in once he became passionate about cars, according to Kyle McGuckin, team leader of Style by Choice.

His car was a black and yellow Mitsubishi Evolution club members called Pikachu.

"Jay loved his car and everybody knew his car," McGuckin said. "It was bright yellow. You could not miss it."

There's a tight bond between club members, McGuckin said. It just happens to bring them together.

"We wouldn't have known any of these guys without cars," McGuckin said. "We're definitely more about family than just a car crew."

Also honoring Jewett tonight were several members of the local law enforcement community, where Jewett had many friends. He was an agent at the Immigration Customs Enforcement & Deportation facility in Batavia along with being one of 13 instructors for the Special Response Team.

He had worked in and around law enforcement in Genesee County much of his adult life.

Calling hours will continue tomorrow from 3 to 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, at Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main St., Batavia. Interment will be in North Pembroke Cemetery.

Click here for Jewett's obituary.

Jason's nephew Nate Jewett, also a car club member, with his BMW. Nate is active duty Navy currently stationed at Port Hueneme in Ventura County, California.

Besides his car, Jason owned a gray Dodge Ram 1500 that he was proud of. A friend brought it to the wake. With it are Nate Jewett, Zach Hallatt and Huseyin Damlar.

What is a Christian? An example to follow!

By Tracy Byrnes

I am a Christian was the title of a recent sermon I heard that got my attention. What exactly is a Christian? A Christian is a person who believes with their heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. It is a person who confesses their sin to God in prayer and asks for His forgiveness (Romans 10:9-10). It is a person who desires to live a life pleasing to God. It is a person who denies himself to become a follower of Christ (Luke 9:23). What does it mean to become a follower of Christ?

Event Date and Time

Photos: Oakfield Labor Days Parade 2013

By Howard B. Owens

Elaine Forti was honored to be Grand Marshal of the Oakfield Labor Days Parade. She was surprised when current and former students started singing the Oakfield-Alabama spirit song, "Nothing Is Going to Stop Us Now." Forti wrote the lyrics for the song in 1988.

Each year, the Oakfield parade seems to grow a little bigger and it's always well attended.

Here are some shots -- including one you've probably never seen before: A City of Batavia Fire Department truck in a parade outside the city. 

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

NOTE: It turns out, not all of the pictures have finished uploading yet ... in progress ...

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