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Oakfield

O-A seeking Alumni Hall of Fame nominations

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Nominations are currently being accepted for this year’s induction class of the Oakfield-Alabama Alumni Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding OACS alumni who have achieved distinction in their lives and chosen field after high school through significant contributions to their career, community or through personal achievements. 

If you know a person who meets the following criteria, please consider nominating him/her for this prestigious honor:

  1.  Nominees must be graduates of OACS or one of its predecessors, or have been active in school classes and activities during their senior year. (Nominees who left school while in good standing to perform military service are also eligible.  Deceased alumni are not eligible for induction until the fifth anniversary of the year of their death.)
  2. Nominees must have graduated prior to 2002.
  3. Selection is based on achievement after leaving OACS which includes a worthy record in more than one, and exemplary achievement in at least one of the following:
  • Job-related achievements
  • Professional honors and awards, professional affiliations, publications
  • Civic or community involvement
  • Personal achievements/accomplishments
  • Positive impact on the communities in the Oakfield-Alabama School District

Anyone may submit a nomination for any person meeting the criteria stated above. Nominations must be made during the nomination period only (March 1 – April 30) by using the Online Nomination Form or the PDF Nomination Form (see links below). Electronically submitted nominations are strongly preferred over mailed-in, hardcopy nominations.

  1. Online Nomination Form  http://www.oacsalumni.org/content/HallOfFame/NominationProcess/OnlineForm
  2. PDF Nomination Form http://www.oacsalumni.org/content_files/HallOfFame/NominationProcess/form.pdf

Chimney fire reported on Albion Road, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A chimney fire is reported at 6014 Albion Road, Oakfield. Oakfield Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Elba and Alabama; Town of Batavia is asked to fill in at Oakfield's fire hall.

UPDATE 10:08 p.m.: A first responder on scene says the fire appears to be out.

UPDATE 10:11 p.m.: Mutual aid companies can go back in service.

UPDATE 10:34 p.m.: Oakfield assignment back in service. 

Town of Oakfield celebrates 175th Anniversary with Open House on April 11

By Billie Owens

You are welcome to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Town of Oakfield from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at the Community & Government Center, located at 3219 Drake Street Road in Oakfield.

The Town Board will be re-enacting the first board meeting of 1842, followed by its regular board meeting at 6:30.

RSVP, regrets only, at 948-5835, ext. 101.

Law and Order: Oakfield man charged with DWI after second traffic stop Lockport

By Howard B. Owens

Christopher M. Oliveras, 25, of Lockport Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to obey traffic control devices, and tinted windows. Oliveras was arrested in the City of Tonawanda by Tonawanda PD, at 1:30 a.m., Sunday. Earlier, he was stopped for allegedly driving the wrong way down a one-way street. At that time he was told to park the vehicle. Later in the evening, officers stopped the vehicle again and Oliveras was found to be the driver. Oliveras reportedly told officers, "I did park for a little while." He also reportedly said, "I was drinking Budweisers and smoking marijuana." A container of marijuana was allegedly found in the center console. He allegedly blew a BAC of .10. Bail was set at $250.

Rebecca Ann Edwards, 23, of Kibbe Avenue, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Edwards is accused of stealing property with a value in excess of $3,000 from the 48 Deli Express in Batavia.

Law and Order: Lackawanna man arrested on warrant for assault and weapon charges from Shanks Road incident in February

By Billie Owens

David Bruce Piechowicz, 41, of Lackawanna, is charged with two counts of second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, third degree -- with a prior conviction. He was taken into custody March 23 by the U.S. Marshall's warrant task force on a Town of Alabama warrant on the charges, issued Feb. 12 following an unspecified incident on Shanks Road in Basom. The defendant was jailed on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. The case was handled by Genesee County Deputy Lonnie Nati.

David William Cook, 50, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unsafe turn/failure to signal, aggravated DWI, and DWI. Cook was arrested at 7:04 p.m. on March 23 on Lincoln Avenue in Batavia following a traffic stop. He allegedly had a BAC of more than .18 percent at the time. He was issued appearance tickets for Batavia City Court on April 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth, assisted by Deputy Michael Lute.

John Moon, 25, of Batavia, was arrested at 10 p.m. on March 22 by State Troopers for DWI. They performed a traffic stop on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia and Moon allegedly failed field sobriety tests. His breath test allegedly resulted in a BAC of .17 percent. He was given appearance tickets for Town of Batavia Court in April.

Bettina Jacqueline Jacobs, 33, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and first-degree promoting prison contraband. She was arrested for allegedly introducing Suboxone into the GC Jail after being taken into custody at court for an alleged violation of her previous release agreement. It is also alleged that during the subsequent transport to another jail, she gave some of that controlled substance to another inmate. Jacobs was arraigned in City of Batavia Court on March 22 and jailed in lieu of $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker.

Dawn M. Morford, 56, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. And 41-year-old Gary Bradford, of Maple Street, Rochester, is charged with a violation -- unlawful possession of marijuana. Both were arrested March 21 following a traffic stop in the Town of Bergen by the GC Local Drug Enforcement Task Force. They were issued appearance tickets returnable to Bergen Town Court. Uniformed deputies from the Sheriff's Office along with K-9 "Destro" assisted with the investigation.

A 16-year-old who lives on Lewiston Road in Oakfield is charged with second-degree criminal contempt after allegedly being found in possession of a cell phone on March 10. The subject was ordered earlier this month to refrain from possessing a cell phone by Judge Adams in GC Family Court. The defendant is to appear in Oakfield Town Court at a later date. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Cory Mower.

Sponsored Post: Open house this Sunday 12-1 p.m. -- call Charles Flynn today

By Lisa Ace

Open House this Sunday, March 26 • 12 - 1 p.m., 22 Forest Ave. in the Oakfield Village. This home offers five large bedrooms, two full baths with first floor laundry, first floor master, huge dining room and kitchen. One-car attached garage, 54" high sidewall heated saltwater above-ground pool and landscaped backyard with gas fire pit put this house above all the rest. This home is part of the 100-percent Moneyback Guarantee Program and also comes with our Transferable Home Warranty. Call to schedule your showing right away, call Charles at 716-860-2222 to find out what your house it worth!

Law and Order: Man accused of damaging jail property

By Howard B. Owens

Victor Michael Delatorre, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Delatorre allegedly damaged property of the Genesee County Jail.

Eric McWethy, 20, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with loud muffler and unlawful possession of marijuana. McWethy was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during at traffic stop at 9:11 p.m. March 16 on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards.

Keaira Sharee Jones, 25, of Jay Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Jones was a passenger in a vehicle stopped at 12:34 p.m. March 17 on Washington Avenue by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Cassi A. Schutt, 29, of West Crest Drive, Rochester, is charged with driving on a suspended registration, aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without insurance and failure to stop at sign. Schutt was arrested on a warrant for the listed charges. 

Carlton L. Beardsley, 22, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breaking and menacing, 2nd. Beardsley was arrested following a complaint of a domestic incident at 4:45 p.m. March 17 on Walnut Street, Batavia. He allegedly threatened a female with a knife and then choked her. He was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Shane K. Borton, 44, Chase Park, Batavia, is charged criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Borton was allegedly involved in a physical altercation at 6:02 p.m. Saturday, which also violated an order of protection.

Donald Egan Jr., 26, of State Street, Seneca Falls, was arrested on a warrant. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Gangi Steven Perez, 21, of Bridge Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, possession of alcohol in a vehicle, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Perez was stopped at 12:27 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Jamie L. Soto, 42, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing, 1st. Soto allegedly filed a sex offender change of address form with a false address. This is an additional charge added to previous charges.

Ifrah Mohammed Jajimusse, 38, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Jajimusse was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during at traffic stop at 8:25 p.m. Monday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Jacob J. Russell, 21, of Walkers Corners Road, Byron, and Salvatore M. Schwable, of Weber Avenue, Oakfield, are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Russell and Schwable were in a vehicle stopped by members of the Local Drug Task Force and were allegedly found in possession of marijuana. Schwable was also found to have an arrest warrant of out Batavia Town Court for alleged petit larceny and criminal mischief.

Photo: Rainbow in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

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Jason Smith caught a bit of this rainbow of Oakfield-Alabama Central School while driving home from work this afternoon.

Beloved coach in Oakfield succumbs to cancer

By Howard B. Owens

A man who is remembered by those whose life he touched as an icon of the local sports community died today and people who knew Dan Gilbert say he will be missed.

Gilbert, a Little League and softball coach who coached Oakfield-Alabama to Section V titles in baseball, succumbed to cancer more than 18 months after beginning treatment.

"He was one of those types of people who is a pillar in the community," said Oakfield resident Jeremy Yasses. "He built programs for sports for the school and the community. He touched a lot of lives, not only because he won, but because he was a class act on the field and off the field. He taught a lot of kids life lessons."

Yasses said Gilbert, who was also a physical ed teacher at O-A, spent a lot of selfless hours coaching kids and helping them succeed not just in competition on the field but at life.

Parents and students were notified by the school district by phone this morning of Gilbert's passing.

Oakfield-Alabama Social Studies teacher and Athletic Director Jeff Schlagenhauf said Gilbert was his good friend for 30 years and described him not only as a stalwart member of the community but a dedicated family man.

"He was a mentor to a lot of kids," Schlagenhauf said. "He was just a great teacher. The community lost a really good person today."

News partner WBTA contributed to this story.

Family of Oakfield's Patrick J. Pedro announces new scholarship in his name

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The family of Patrick J. Pedro is pleased to announce the establishment of a scholarship in his name to be awarded to a high school senior at Oakfield-Alabama Central School. Patrick was a graduate of the school and a highly accomplished person. He passed away in May after a very difficult battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS).

Patrick grew up in Oakfield, where he later became the 2008 Inductee in the Oakfield-Alabama High School Alumni Hall of Fame. He received his undergraduate magna cum laude from Bucknell University and a Law degree from University of Notre Dame where he received awards at graduation for legal writing and appellant advocacy. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Patrick was an attorney employed by Bond, Schoeneck and King in Syracuse in 1984, became a partner in 1993 and practiced there his entire career until his retirement at the end of 2014. He practiced primarily in the areas of business law and health care law, and his clients ranged from start-up companies to some of the most prominent individuals and businesses in central and northern New York State. At BS&K he was deputy department chair of the Business Law Department, chair of the Health Law Practice Group, and the firm’s Marketing Partner.

He supported the visual and performing arts in the community as a performer in community theater, a patron and board member of the Syracuse Opera and The Everson Museum of Art.

-- The scholarship will provide a graduating HS senior with tuition assistance toward a college degree related to his or her professional goal. The profession pursued will ultimately serve his or her community and society as a whole.

The college must be an accredited 4-year institution that offers degrees toward the recipient’s professional goal which may include but is not limited to the following:

Law, Business, Engineering, Communications, Medicine Health & Human Services, Psychology, Visual and Performing Arts, Education, Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Political Science, Sociology or Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy.

Criteria:

  • GPA of 90 or above upon graduation;
  • School Involvement – including but not limited to: School government, music, theatre, sports, academic clubs;
  • Community Involvement – volunteer work, involvement in applicant’s place of worship, organizations not associated with school or nonprofit organizations.
  • Exhibits EXCELLENT character in relating to peers, colleagues, teachers and supervisors.

Applicant submission criteria:

  1. Resume outlining the above criteria.

  2. Character reference from a HS teacher.

  3. Applicant will submit an essay stating short- and long-term professional goals, and the activities and experiences that have led to this decision (i.e. Why do you want to pursue this degree/profession?).

To make your tax-deductible donation, checks may be forwarded to: Oakfield-Alabama Dollars for Scholars Inc.

P.O. Box 102
Oakfield, NY 14125
Please write Patrick J. Pedro Scholarshipon the Memo Line
Include a return self-addressed envelope so that your tax-deductible receipt can be mailed back to you.

If you would like to be part of a mailing list to get periodic updates regarding the scholarship fund, money awarded and recipient information, please send your name and email address to pjpscholarship@gmail.com. If you would like to speak with someone directly, please contact Andy Pedro at (585) 344-7017.

The family of Patrick Pedro would like to thank you in advance for your donation that will help create and maintain this scholarship in Patrick’s honor for many years to come!

Hornets don't back off, give Perry tough match in sectional semi-final

By Howard B. Owens

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If the Perry Yellowjackets win a sectional title this Friday, it won't be because Oakfield-Alabama didn't work hard to try and spoil their so-far-undefeated season.

The Hornets were in the game until halfway through the final quarter when foul trouble took two starters off the court and Perry was able to finally pull away for a 78-63 win.

The Yellowjackets are a bigger team with Tyler Cowie, at 6' 3", 180 pounds, and Dan Elliott, 6' 4", 190 pounds, in the post, and a nearly unstoppable shot creator in Austin Croll at guard. But O-A got into their heads early, disrupting their offense with tight, aggressive coverage that led to several turnovers on steals, penalties and mental errors.

"What I noticed is a lot of teams kind of backed off them, hesitant or concerned about getting blown out, but we can’t back off," said Hornets Head Coach Ryan Stehlar. "We have to use our speed, our defense, and our intensity, so I wasn’t going to change our game plan. If we were going to go out, we were going to go out our way."

The Hornets had a lead of 16-13 at the end of the first quarter and 32-31 at the end of the half. Perry jumped out early in the third quarter, led most of the way and were head by about by five points early in the fourth quarter when O-A rallied a bit to get a single-digit lead with about five minutes left. That would be the Hornet's last lead of the night. 

"I've seen them several times this season and those guys play hard," said Perry Head Coach Phil Wyant. "We knew it was going to be tough. They scrap, they battle, they play a lot of guys who can put it on the floor and are willing to shoot and that presented a tough match-up, especially when they’re making tough shots."

Reice Woodward and Dalton Carlsen fouled out and either because that took some defensive pressure off the Yellowjackets, or O-A fatigue or just the great talent on the Perry team, the Yellowjackets quickly pulled away and never let the Hornets get back in the game the rest of the way.

Cowie finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and nine blocked shots. Croll scored 24 points.

"Austin and Tyler, not only are they great players, but they do whatever it takes to find the open guy, make a play for a teammate, and get it done on the defensive end," Wyant said. "They were down there guarding two of their better players. Yeah, Austin and Tyler, I'm glad they're on our team, that's for sure."

Also for Perry, Spencer Owen scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds.

For O-A, Tylor Ohlson scored 18 points, including hitting three three-pointers. Woodward scored 15 and Carlsen scored 15.

Perry faces Cuba-Rushford on Friday for the Section V Class C title. 

"We know it's going to be a tough challenge," Wyant said.

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To purchase prints, click here.

O-A outguns Pavilion in shootout to advance in Section V playoffs

By Howard B. Owens

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It was all action on the home court of the Hornets last night as Oakfield-Alabama and the Pavilion Golden Gophers staged a shootout in a quest to advance in the Section V tournament. 

O-A came out on top, 75-70.

For Oakfield-Alabama, Tylor Ohlson scored 17, Ryan Douglas, 16, Reice Woodward, 15, Dalton Carlsen, 13, Joey Burdick, 11.

For Pavilion, Luke Milligan scored 20, Hunter Seaman, 15 (hitting four three-pointers), Ryley Elliott, 12 (two three-pointers), Caleb Milligan, 11 and Rob Cutcliffe, eight.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

 

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Genesee Tourism: Visit your Local History Museum Series -- Oakfield Historical Museum

By Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

The Oakfield Historical Museum will theme their 2017 exhibits in honor of the town's 175th anniversary. As you'll learn in this short clip, the museum showcases a large variety of history including the town's Native American heritage and mining roots.

Your visit is always welcome -- call 585-948-5901 for a personal tour! Oakfield Historical Society, 7 Maple Ave., Oakfield; 585-259-4145.

Visit www.VisitGeneseeNY.com to learn more about Genesee County's unique attractions.

 

Oakfield entrepreneurs announce Kickstarter campaign for MöbileSchlägen

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Eichenfeld LLC, a company based in Oakfield, will be launching a MöbileSchlägen Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign on Feb. 27th at midnight. To celebrate, Eichenfeld owners Marc Johnson, James Betters and Dan Manges invite the public to a MöbileSchlägen Launch Party on Saturday, Feb 25, 7 p.m., at Ken’s Charcoal Pits & Bar-B-Q (formerly, City Slickers Bar & Grill) located at 59 Main St., Batavia.

The traditional nail-pounding game of skill, strategy and fun, can only be played by acquiring large stumps of wood that must remain stationary in your yard or gaming venue. MöbileSchlägen has reinvented this favorite German game, made it mobile and now you can be the first to purchase the world’s only portable nail hammering game. 

Of MöbileSchlägen’s much anticipated product launch, coinventor Marc Johnson said, “We’ve spent a great deal of time proving our concept, engineering our product, and securing a full utility patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We have a deep bench of MöbileSchlägen ambassadors that have patiently waited for this moment.

"We anticipate a very active Kickstarter project. Our team is poised to meet the demand of our customers and we are excited with the amount of support the crowdfunding community has promised to the MöbileSchlägen project. This is the beginning of a fun run.”

The event on Saturday evwening will feature food and drink, music, swag giveaways and a chance to try MöbileSchlägen. The fun starts at 7 o'clock. If you cannot attend the launch party, please check out MöbileSchlägen’s website at www.mobileschlagen.com, once the campaign is active, just follow the provided link. This site goes live at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 27.

Photos: File photos from an event announcing MöbileSchlägen at the Carryville Inn in June. Top photo: Marc Johnson.

Previously:

Two-car accident with injuries reported in the Village of Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Main Street and Gibson Street in the Village of Oakfield.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: A second accident is reported at Lewiston Road and Maltby Road. The initial report was no injuries, no possible minor injuries. Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. The accident is blocking. On the first accident, we believe we heard that a patient has a complaint of back pain.

Rollover accident with minor injuries reported on Lewiston Road, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A rollover accident with minor injuries is reported on Lewiston Road just north of Fisher Road in Oakfield.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:29 a.m.: A chief reports a Mercy medic on his way to work is on scene and has checked out the patient and Mercy EMS can go back in service.

Photos: Sno-Packers host annual bikini rally

By Howard B. Owens

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No snow? No problem for the Genesee Sno-Packers, who went ahead with their third annual Bikini Snowmobile Rally at their clubhouse in Oakfield.

The event is a fundraiser for the Roswell Cancer Institute.

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Pembroke defeats Oakfield 59-57

By Destin Danser

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The visiting Pembroke Dragons defeated the Oakfield Hornets Monday in a game that was hard fought to the bitter end. The first half ended tied at 26 and both teams traded baskets through the second half, leading to a 57-57 tie with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. Pembroke went on to score two points with just over 20 seconds left on the clock, followed by a huge stop on defense to secure the Dragons' victory. 

Leading scorers for Pembroke were #15 Kyle Ludwig (pictured above) with 14 points, and #10 Ried Miano (pictured below) with 13 points. 

Photos by Destin Danser Photography. Click here to view more and purchase photos.

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