Skip to main content

Site search

Search results

49 results found

Proposed technology park gets final STAMP of approval from Town of Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Five years of planning, public meetings, studies, environmental reviews and dozens of written reports came down to one vote Monday night in the Town of Alabama, and by unanimous decision, the town's planning board said yes to a proposed industrial technology park.

The 5-0 vote to change the zoning for

Heavy thunderstorm creating havoc for emergency services

By Howard B. Owens

There's a report of basement flooding at 16 Watson St., Batavia.

City fire has Engine 12 and Ladder 15 responding to a fire alarm at 1 Elizabeth St., Batavia, and a crew is taking Engine 16 to check on Watson.

The city had a brief power outage about 10 minutes

Presentation offers lessons, urges residents to test homes for radon

By Joanne Beck
Sherri Bensley and Allysa Pascoe
Sherri Bensley, left, and Allysa Pascoe, of Genesee and Orleans Health Department, give a presentation about radon during this week's City Council meeting at City Hall. Free test kits are available at the health department to find out your home's level for this odorless, tasteless radioactive gas.
Photo by Howard Owens.

If you were asked to name the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, it may surprise you that the answer is not second hand smoke, often portrayed as perhaps the most dangerous substance to lungs for those exposed to the fumes of others.

Winter weather keeping road crews and law enforcement busy

By Howard B. Owens

High winds and blowing snow have been keeping county salt crews busy so far Friday morning.

There are currently reports of an accident on Route 63 and a report of car off the road in East Pembroke.

A UPS truck can't get up a hill in Pavilion.

Currently, National Grid

Longtime tradition of ag district review continues to ensure 'farm protections'

By Joanne Beck

felipe_oltramari.jpg

Only one person spoke during a public hearing about Genesee County’s Agricultural District 1 Wednesday, and it was the organizer of the hearing, Director of the county Planning Department Felipe Oltramari.

He explained the process and importance to conduct reviews and hearings for Ag Districts, which occur every eight years

Paul Osborn making his mark on Genesee County's parks

By Will Barton

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of a series prepared on behalf of the tourism agency of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. The new tourism guide was recently published and is available at the chamber's office and will soon be available at other tourism locations. The official tourism site

Two men arrested for allegedly trespassing at Rolling Hills Asylum

By Billie Owens

Two men were arrested today for allegedly trespassing at the Rolling Hills Asylum in the Town of Bethany, according to State Police, following an investigation of an incident that occurred on Sept. 15.

Arrested where Andrew E. Cox, 18, of Gainsville, and 18-year-old Timothy E. Rafferty, of Pike. They were

Ronald "Ron" D. Heywood

By Joshua Smith

heywood314.jpg
East Bethany- Ronald "Ron" D. Heywood passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Strong Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was born November 7, 1934, in Batavia, NY, the son of Donald and Thelma Heywood.

Ron graduated from Pavilion Central School, class of 1953, and married his high school sweetheart. He served our country in the US ARMY, spending 2 years in Amberg, Germany He worked at Jello in Leroy and later retired from O-at-Ka milk products as a Distribution Manager, after 35 years.

Ron was a lifetime member and past trustee of East Bethany Presbyterian Church, served as Cub scout roundtable commissioner for pack 20 in East Bethany. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and trapper. His passion was passing his knowledge and talents to his children and grandchildren. He loved camping and traveling with his RV through all 50 states, half the providences of Canada, and spent the last 20 years in Texas for the winter.

Surviving is his wife, Mary Jane "Mike" Heywood, of 66 years; sons, Douglas (Peggy) Heywood of East Bethany and Richard Heywood of Tennessee; daughters, Bonnie (Kenneth) Morgan of Tennessee and Linda (Randy) Page of Batavia; grandchildren, Sharan (Ron) Demana, Brent (Valerie) Heywood, Joe (Jessica) Hewitt, Patrick O'Connor, Danielle (Tim) Dosch, Shawn McGiveron, Chris (Megan) Page, Amanda (Jason) Krohn, and Ashley (Tony) Fortney; sister, Roberta Carter; brothers, Daniel (Denise) Heywood of Florida and David (Mary Lee) Heywood of Illinois; many nieces, nephews, and 13 great grandkids.

In death Ron is reunited with his parents, Donald and Thelma Heywood; sister, Beverly Emerson, Brother in laws, Gerald Carter and Tom Emerson; Daughter, Kim McGiveron.

Friends may call on Monday, February 13, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia. His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 11 am at East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Rd, East Bethany, NY 14054. Burial, along with military honors, will follow in East Bethany Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Rd, East Bethany, NY 14054, or the New York State Bluebird Society c/o Murial Prianti, Treasurer 5157 Orangeport Road, Brewerton, NY 13029.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Bethany Fire salutes volunteers, honors top members for 2022

By Howard B. Owens

bethanyfireinstall2023.jpg

William Thurley and Lyle Boundy, pictured with Chief Jeff Fluker on the left, by a vote of the membership, were selected as co-Firefighters of the Year for the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.

They received the award Saturday night at the Batavia Country Club during the department's annual installation and awards

Mrs. Marguerite James Breckenridge

By Joshua Smith
Breckenridge

Marguerite James Breckenridge, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and neighbor passed from this life on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the age of 97.

She was born on December 7, 1925 to the late Thomas S. James and Lucille James of Batavia.

Marguerite was married to Robert J. Breckenridge of Bethany, NY, where they had a dairy farm. After retirement, the couple moved to Sarasota, FL and raised beef cattle. Later they located to Wylie, TX and then Keller, TX, then finally relocated back to Bethany.

She is predeceased by her husband, Robert J, Breckenridge, sons, Thomas R. Breckenridge and Robert W. Breckenridge and a granddaughter, Heather D. Smith.

As always, Marguerite was a loving companion and devoted wife through their marriage of 63 years. She was a caring, guiding and adoring mother to Lynda (Mauro) Gaetano of Austin, TX and Stephen (Joanne) Breckenridge of Bethany. She leaves four granddaughters, Jennifer (Shawn) Covert of LeRoy,NY, Bernadette (Larry) DeLaGarza of Austin, TX, Kristen (Joseph) Magyar of Newburgh,NY, Kimberly (Timothy) D'Amico of Batavia, NY, and a step-grandson, David (Katrinia) Gaetano of Atlanta, GA. She is survived by nine great grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Covert, Santiago and Gabriella DeLaGarza, Isabella, Lukas and Vivian Magyar, Macey D'Amico and Adriana Gaetano, who all made her proud.

In her younger years, she was employed by the First National Bank in Batavia, CL Carr's, Chapin Manufacturing and a Nurse's Aide at St. Jerome's Hospital following World War II as a Gray Lady, which was an extension of the American Red Cross. She was active in the Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club, and an active member for many years in the Cerebral Palsy of NYS organization as well as Home Bureau. She also was a member of the First Baptist Church of Batavia.

Marguerite was a strong, resilient and thoughtful person who was a talented homemaker, cook and baker. As the wife of a farmer, she would attend cattle auctions and purchase cows for the dairy herd, help with milking or delivering calves later in the day. During the Blizzard of '77 she opened her home providing meals and lodging to stranded motorists on Route 20.

Marguerite leaves a great void in the hearts of those close to her. She will be dearly missed though memories and the love she shared will live on among family, friends and those whose life she touched. Her family would like to extend a sincere thank you to her nurse, Patti Cunningham, and health care aides, Shirley Farley, Mary Merle, and Linda Jackett, as well as friends, Diane Hall, Darleen Peters, Linda Sanders, Kris Kujawski, and Sunshine.

At Marguerite's request, there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. She will be laid to rest in West Bethany Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in her name to West Bethany Baptist Church, 10333 West Bethany Road, East Bethany, New York 14054 or Bethany Volunteer Fire Department, 5253 Old Telephone Road, East Bethany, New York 14054. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.

Mrs. Marguerie James Breckenridge

By Joshua Smith
Breckenridge

Marguerite James Breckenridge, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and neighbor passed from this life on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the age of 97.

She was born on December 7, 1925 to the late Thomas S. James and Lucille James of Batavia.

Marguerite was married to Robert J. Breckenridge

Law and Order: Duo from Rochester accused of fleeing police in stolen Cherokee

By Howard B. Owens

Ronnel Simien Agee, Jr., 20, of Depew Street, Rochester, and  Jaquel Rashod Gibson, 21, of Rochester, are charged with criminal possession of stolen property, reckless endangerment 1st, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Agee and Gibson are accused of fleeing

Constance Boundy

By Joshua Smith

img-2014.jpg
Batavia- Constance Boundy, 78 of Batavia  passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at LeRoy Village Residential Health Care Facility, Inc. in LeRoy, New York.

Constance was born Thursday, May 11th, 1944 in Buffalo, NY.

She Graduated from Attica central school and later when on to marry the love of her life Kenneth Boundy Sr.. Together they raised 3 wonderful sons in Alexander, NY, until Kenneth's passing in 2014. Constance worked as a cashier for Sugar Creek, in Attica, NY, until her retirement

Surviving are her sons, Kenneth Boundy Jr., of Batavia, Mike (Paula) Boundy, of Bethany, and Steve Boundy, of Batavia; grandchildren, Alexis Boundy, Jake Boundy, and Lyle Boundy, all of Bethany.  

In death Constance is reunited with her husband, Kenneth Boundy Sr.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. funeral home. As per the families wishes there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Volunteers for animals of Batavia, 3841 W Main Street Rd, Batavia, NY 14020 .  Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Clara R. Galliford

By Howard B. Owens
galliford obit

Clara R. Galliford, 98, of East Bethany, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2023, at Crossroads House in Batavia after a brief illness. Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her long life was devoted to supporting her family and her community. She was blessed by 75 years of marriage and celebrated the births of 36 direct descendants, all of whom survive her.

Clara was born May 1, 1925, in East Bethany. She was a 1942 graduate of Batavia High School. From 1951, she was a member of the East Bethany Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, trustee, and church elder. From 1956 to 1992, she served as Clerk and Postmaster for the United States Postal Service in East Bethany.  

Surviving are her four children: James D. Galliford Jr. of Batavia and Linda (Gerry) Fry, Jean George and Douglas (Judy) Galliford of East Bethany; ten grandchildren: J. Daniel (Kirsten) Galliford III, Laurie Fox, Julie Fry, Melissa (Allen) Iovannisci, Sarah (Tim) Lemley, Stacey (David Macdonald) George, Michael (Kristen) George, Debbie (Frank) Drazen, Brian (Becca) Galliford and Mary (Steve) Skoczylas; 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, J. Daniel Galliford Sr.; her brothers, Howard Raymond and Albert Raymond, and sister, Edith Nichols; and her parents, Arthur and Mabel (Cone) Raymond.

Clara’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Cindy Saeva at South Street Senior Care in LeRoy for the loving care she provided to Clara during her residence there.

Burial will be private with no prior calling hours. A memorial service for both Clara and her late husband Daniel will be held at a later date.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, NY 14021, www.crossroadshouse.com/donate, or to the East Bethany Rural Cemetary Association, P.O. Box 117, LeRoy, NY 14482.

Arrangements for Clara were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home of Batavia. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Law and Order: Man accused of pointing rifle at juveniles

By Howard B. Owens

Douglas M. Ashworth, 48, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing. Ashworth is accused of pointing a rifle at two youths on Oct. 9 on Vine Street in Batavia and placing the individuals in reasonable fear of injury or death. He was arrested on Feb. 28 and issued

Driver in guarded condition after head-on crash with semi on Route 63

By Howard B. Owens

A pickup truck driver reportedly blew right through a stop sign coming off of Fargo Road, Bethany, just before 11 a.m., Friday, and struck a semi-truck head on that was northbound on Route 63.

Investigators are trying to determine if alcohol and prescription medication were factors in the crash.

The

Serious accident at Route 63 and Fargo Road

By Billie Owens

A serious motor-vehicle accident is reported at Route 63 and Fargo Road, which is near Little Canada in Bethany. A passerby who called it in said it looked like a head-on collision of a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck. There are two three victims, one with a head injury.

Bethany

Dawn Marie (Palmer) Piasta

By LaVern Falcone

Batavia ~ Dawn Marie (Palmer) Piasta, age 67, passed away at home on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

   

piasta_0.jpg
  She was born October 8, 1955, in Cuba NY to the late Francis Palmer and Barbara Harter, and later, Don Bradford, her step-father. Dawn was the oldest of six children; Joel, Kit, Carrie, Marge, and Joyce. Dawn is predeceased by her brother, Joel and survived by the rest of the siblings. Dawn had four children whom she is survived by; Bethany Palmer, Michael Piasta, April Palmer and Ceciely Palmer along with two grandchildren; Bianca Gregory and Ava Freeman.

     Dawn enjoyed reading and was an avid gardener, as well as a phenomenal quilter, spending a lot her free time sewing . She loved the outdoors and had a special place in her heart for animals, once saving 4 baby squirrels in her front yard. Dawn also enjoyed cooking and baking, a wonderful talent of hers. She was a resilient woman and cared deeply in her own way for those around her.

     Information regarding services will be shared at the discretion of the family. 

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Dawn’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Bernadette A. Meyers Peterson

By T.J. Woodward
Bernadette

Bernadette (Bernie) A. Meyers Peterson went home to be with the Lord on Saturday July 8, 2023 at the young age of 63 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Batavia, a lifetime resident of the surrounding area and spent the majority of her life in manufacturing as well as tending to an oversize garden of green peas and potatoes on the family farm.

Bernie is survived by her life partner John Peterson of Warsaw and his son Jonathan of Alexander. Her siblings: Teresa (late Al) Thorley of Alexander, Jim (Linda) Meyers of East Bethany, Vince (Marie) Meyers of Alexander, Fran (Greg) Michalak of Ashville, Anne (Tom) Vanderbosch of Alexander, Tom (Heather) Meyers of Montezuma and Jen (Joe) Decker of Belmont. Also survived by aunts, and uncles, many nieces and nephews, grandnephews and a plethora of cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Virginia Meyers.

In her final days, Vickie and George Matteson were always there to tend to her needs.

There will be a Celebration of Life at West Middlebury Baptist Church 4950 W Middlebury Road, East Bethany, NY 14054 at 10AM on Saturday July 22, 2023 followed by a gathering from 11AM to 3PM in the church social center.

She will be laid to rest next to her grandmother M. Cecelia Meyers at St. Vincent’s Cemetery in Attica, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wilmont Cancer Center 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642 (she received the most wonderful care from Dr. Yirinec and his staff at the Batavia location) or the York Animal Hospital Stray Animal Fund 2275 Main St., York, NY 14592 (who took the best care of her fur babies – Kitty, PK, and Renny). To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020.

Authentically Local