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Large onion processing plant in Elba total loss after massive fire

By Howard B. Owens

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It's been more than 12 hours since the first alarm sounded for a barn fire at  5520 N. Byron Road in Elba and volunteer firefighters are still on scene.

On Thanksgiving Day.

It was a massive fire. It consumed the entire onion packing and storage facility owned by the Torrey family. It's

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.

Apartment complex ablaze on Starr Road in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A six-unit apartment complex is reportedly on fire at 10980 Starr Road, Pavilion. Unknown if any occupants are inside. Pavilion and Le Roy fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: An additional Le Roy engine and its ambulance service are requested to the working structure fire along with equipment from Stafford and Bethany.

UPDATE

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

By Joanne Beck

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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

Law and Order: Bethany man charged with DWI with BAC greater than .08

By Billie Owens

Steven Robert Tanner, 43, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Bethany, is charged with DWI with a BAC greater than .08, and DWI. He was arrested at 4:47 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, after an investigation into a traffic offense complaint in the Town of Stafford. He was allegedly found

Ronald "Ron" D. Heywood

By Joshua Smith

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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

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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

Heather Lynn Perdock

By T.J. Woodward

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Heather Lynn Perdock, 30, of LeRoy, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday December 4, 2016 at Unity Hospital in Rochester due to complications from her pregnancy. She was born on November 18, 1986 in Batavia to Gerald and Dawn (Eschenlauer) Yarington. She is predeacsed by her step-father Gerald Yarington Sr.

Heather was a stay at home mom who loved her children unconditionally. She loved animals, especially elephants and cows. Heather loved to go camping, being around the fire with her family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by her children; Zachary Fetterly, Victoria Yarington and her baby Gavin R. Perry; mother Dawn Yarington of E. Bethany, father and stepmother Gerald (Tammy) Yarington Jr. of East Aurora; siblings Greg Yarington of Darien, Russell Yarington of Orchard Park, Monica Yarington of Orchard Park and Gerald Yarington III of East Aurora along with several step siblings; uncles Donald (Rita) Eschenlauer of FL., Ronald (Louann) Eschenlauer of Dansville and Robert (Theresa) Eschenlauer of Batavia and her aunt Robin (Walter Hale) Eschenlauer of Oakfield.

Family and friends may call on Wednesday December 14, 2016 from 3:00-4:30PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC. where a 4:30 Memorial Service will immediately follow visitation at the Funeral Home. Interment will be held privately for the family at a later date.

For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011.

Mrs. Marguerite James Breckenridge

By Joshua Smith
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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

Law and Order: Destro finds burglary suspect in Bethany home

By Howard B. Owens

Pedro Vazquez Diaz, 31, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with burglary, 2nd. At 10:21 a.m., Saturday, the Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary in progress at a residence on Bethany Center Road, Bethany. Deputies and troopers responded, along with Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro

Constance Boundy

By Joshua Smith

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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
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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

Dawn Marie (Palmer) Piasta

By LaVern Falcone

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

   

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  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.

Paul Strogen

By Joshua Smith
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Paul D. Strogen 81, of Daly City, California and formerly of Batavia, passed away January 29, 2023 at his home.

Mr. Strogen was born May 17, 1941 in Batavia, the son of the late Joseph P. Strogen and Elva Hyde Strogen.

Surviving are his son James Wohlford (Sherri) of Bloomsburg,PA, brother James A. Strogen (Virginia) of Sunrise Beach, MO and sister Mylynne Austgen (Wayne) of Elizabeth,CO.

Mr. Strogen was a graduate of Batavia High School where he played drums in the band and ochestra. He also was a member of the Saint Joseph Drum and Bugle Corps.

Paul served his country honorably in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Dewey and later as an electronics instructor at the Treasure Island facility of the US Navy at San Francisco.He served during the Vietnam years on a special warfare intelligence aircraft.

He was a member of the Batavia VFW as well as in San Francisco.

In later years he worked as an electrical engineer for various firms.

Mr. Strogen travelled extensively all over the world.  He especially loved to sail his own sailboat  with friends.

Special destinations for him were the Hawaiian Islands, Australia , Europe and especially Slovakia where he visited Strogen family relatives.

Mr. Strogen was a patron of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera and participated in folk dance in Europe and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  His motto was: "Music feeds my soul-Dance is my lifeblood"

He will be missed by family and a large number of friends all over the world.

Mr. Strogen's Navy Honors Memorial Service we be held at the West Bethany cemetery at 1:00 pm on Saturday June 17th, 2023.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. Ste 123, Washington,DC, 20004-2608.

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