Every day is Memorial Day for families and friends of fallen soldiers. Blaise Oleski of Holland Patent was just 22-years old when he was killed in combat in Afghanistan 3 years ago. Family friends of Oleski say time doesn't always heal all wounds-- as they remember Oleski everyday.
"It doesn't just happen because somebody throws a day on the calendar and says today we're gonna remember our troops. For me, it could be a Thursday night when I'm sitting by myself or a day that I'm sitting at the bar and his favorite song comes on. To me, those are the days that are special. Today is just the day everybody else calls me," says Trevor Hiffa.
Trevor Hiffa was Blaise Oleski's best friend, or as he says, his brother. Though three years have past since Lance Corporal Oleski was killed in combat, Hiffa says he still feels the hurt everyday.
"Those days where you just feel alone in a crowded room, someone as close to you as a brother or best friend is the only person that can fill that void-- and there's just no one to fill it. When there's no one to fill it, that's hard enough but when you realize that person was here and they're not here anymore, that's the most difficult time for me," says Hiffa.
Friends remember Blaise for his good heart and his caring nature.
Former girlfriend Samantha Sexton says, "Blaise was such a beautiful person, so good to people. For me, it was so hard to believe none of us would have him again. He was loved by so many and touched so many people's lives. Even if you knew Blaise for 5 minutes, you remembered him for the rest of your life."
While family and friends deal with broken hearts, they find comfort knowing Blaise died doing what he loved: serving his country.
Hiffa adds, "You almost feel like there's a light inside of you because of the things he did, the things he accomplished and the sacrifices he made and it makes you so proud."
Blaise Oleski is gone but not forgotten. Friends say he leaves an everlasting legacy.
"Even if I live 100 years, I probably won't make as much of a difference on this world as Blaise did at 22," says Hiffa.
The New York SAFE Act, which was recently signed into law by Governor
Andrew Cuomo, has been a controversial topic since the day it was signed
into law. But now law enforcement officers are up a...
Homicide laws may be changing here in New York, and that's sparking a debate between pro-life and pro-choice. Governor Cuomo's annoucement of a forthcoming 'Reproductive Health Act' in his address a...
The rescue efforts in and around Oklahoma City continue, but the recovery efforts are also underway. Officials say at least 24 people were killed in the devastating 2-mile wide twister that entire 4...
Many taxpayers across New
York State are voting on their respective school district's budget and board of
education today.
The biggest budget being
voted on in our area is that of the City...
As taxpayers of the Herkimer
School District vote on the school's budget, they'll also decide whether or not
an area library will change its funding structure.
Basloe Library is to approve...
The Herkimer County Legislature
has proclaimed today as a "Day of Reflection and Recognition."
Officials tonight will
remember the four lives taken on March 13th during a shooting spree in...
The Trenton Town Supervisor accused of sexually abusing a young boy
began his trial today. Mark Scheidelman was in Oneida County court this
morning for a single charge of first-degree sexual is...
When everyone is running away.. they're the ones running toward the fires, floods, and shootings. Red Cross is implementing a new program to increase volunteerism in Central New York. They've an for...
Today marks the start of 'Small Business Week' across the entire state. In Herkimer County, the Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to shop locally by hosting different events all week In a...
12 of the world's elite
PGA golfers are to compete in this year's NB3 Foundation Challenge.
Oneida Nation
Representative Ray Halbritter and four-time PGA Tour winner Notah Begay the details...
As taxpayers of the Herkimer
School District vote on the school's budget, they'll also decide whether or not
an area library will change its funding structure.
Basloe Library is asking
residents to approve them to become a library district, meaning the taxpayers
will vote on the library's budget and its board of trustees.
In return, it will provide
more funding for the library.
"We're looking to get
$270,000 out of this vote. That will restore our funding to where it was five
years ago. This is what it's about- to restore our funding," said Library Director,
Lesley Paul.
The library is currently
funded by the Village of Herkimer. Over the years, officials say the village
had to cut contributions to the library. By becoming a library district,
funding will be coming from the taxpayers within in the school district.
The Herkimer County Legislature
has proclaimed today as a "Day of Reflection and Recognition."
Officials tonight will
remember the four lives taken on March 13th during a shooting spree in the Herkimer
and Mohawk communities.
First responders and
public safety agencies that responded that day will also be recognized for
their brave services.
"During the events of
that day and that month, we had to bury the dead and mourn appropriately. Now
we let everything reset," said Chairman Vincent Bono.
A ceremony will take place
tonight at HCCC's gymnasium. The public is invited the event will kickoff at 7
tonight.
The Trenton Town Supervisor accused of sexually abusing a young boy
began his trial today. Mark Scheidelman was in Oneida County court this
morning for a single charge of first-degree sexual abuse.
Jury
selection is all about finding an honest jury with no outside
influence. But when it comes to a case involving a well-known town
supervisor, also a former political leader, that process can be more
difficult. Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer spoke to more than 70
potential jurors before a selection was made.
"We need you to be
fair and impartial and that means coming into this courtroom without
any preconceived notions," says Judge Michael Dwyer, Oneida County
Court.
It's
a case that's garnered media attention; and after hearing, reading, and
seeing several allegations about Mark Scheidelman these past few
months, will a jury of his peers give him a fair shot? Scheidelman is
charged with first-degree sexual abuse after he was accused of sexually
touching a boy through his clothes in the presence of two other boys.
Scheidelman's attorney says his clients' social standing will only help
his case
"I'm not worried about it. I'm pleased with it because
he has such a well respected standing in the community. And I certainly
think it will be reflected in the outcome. He's earned a good standing,
he's earned a good reputation," says George Aney, Scheidelman's attorney.
A
topic of debate in previous hearings has been a secretly recorded
conversation Scheidelman had with police while he was being questioned.
Scheidelman was not in custody at the time. But Judge Dwyer ruled that
police did not violate his rights and prosecutors will be allowed to use
parts of that conversation in the trial.
"That secret recording,
which I do not approve of, strangely enough, bodes well for Mark. Not
only then but throughout the trial and let's find him not guilty and
let's be done with it, that's the way it should be," says Aney.
Judge
Dwyer also ruled that prosecutors could not use any part of the
recording after Scheidelman said he wanted to speak with an attorney -
that was 16 minutes into the recording.
After a long
selection process, there will be 5 men and 8 women serving on the jury
for Scheidelman's trial. Both sides also gave opening statements.
Witness testimony will begin on
Wednesday, and is expected to last through Thursday.
When everyone is running away.. they're the ones running toward the fires, floods, and shootings. Red Cross is implementing a new program to increase volunteerism in Central New York. They've created an on-call program for their Disaster Response Team; those are the volunteers that respond to day-to-day accidents. Members will be on-call for one full week at a time and then off for 3 weeks. Coordinators say this will provide more structure to the Red Cross and more responsibility for volunteers.
"Having a small group of 6-10 people is fine and we could cover the 2 counties that way. But we'd like to have a big bench so if something happens like the Herkimer shooting, we're not relying on 6-10 people. Now we have 20-30 responders and they can help us with those," says Rich Hajeris, Red Cross Emergency Service Manager.
Coordinators say this new program will require more staffing though and that's why they're urging people to volunteer today.
For more information, visit: www.redcross.org/ny/utica and/or www.redcross.org/ny/syracuse
Today marks the start of 'Small Business Week' across the entire state. In Herkimer County, the Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to shop locally by hosting different events all week long. In honor of Main Street Monday, Eyewitness News visits an Ilion restaurant who says this week has a big impact on owners, as well as community members.
"We're giving people a different variety and with our product , we've very personal, we like to take care of our customers. Something special, fresh cooked, and just taking care of our customers like we do our family members," says Kelley Holmes-Morton, owner of Froggy's Take-Out in Ilion.
Complete week-long schedule of events:
May 20th: Main Street Monday- encouraging residents to shop locally May 21st: Tidy-Up Tuesday- Deb Cabral the DeClutter Coach hosts efficiency consulting at HCCC 8:30am May 22nd: Wine & Dine Wednesday- encouraging residents to support local restaurants May 23rd: Thank you Thursday- Find out how HCCC can help your business at an Evening Reception 5:30-7:30pm May
24th: Fun Friday- Stop in the Chamber Office for additional information
from week's events and grab some coffee and a doughnut 7:30-9:30am
For more information, visit: http://www.herkimercountychamber.com/
12 of the world's elite
PGA golfers are to compete in this year's NB3 Foundation Challenge.
Oneida Nation
Representative Ray Halbritter and four-time PGA Tour winner Notah Begay III
announced the details for the 6th annual event today.
The tournament will be led
by Tiger Woods and other stars like Rickie Fowler and KJ Choi.
The Athletes playing this
year will represent three teams, Team USA, Team Asia and Team International.
"Spectators who are
fortunate to get tickets and come are going to be treated to some of the best
golf they will see in this area for a long time. These guys are competitors. They
want to come out and don't want to lose to the other team. So, these guys are
going to come out and do their best and put on a good show," said Begay.
The event raise awareness
and funding for the health and wellness of Native American Youth on Indian
Reservations across the country.
The NB3 Foundation
Challenge is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28th.
