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Environmental professor weighs in on Genesee County's 'most intense' drought conditions

Stephen Shaw
By Joanne Beck
Stephen Shaw
Associate Professor Stephen Shaw
Photo from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry website

With so much talk about global warming and climate change, that would seem to be the likely culprit for drought so extreme it has dried up dozens of wells in pockets of Genesee County.

However, Stephen Shaw, associate professor for environmental resources engineering at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, says it might be much more random than that.

Shaw has just completed a 20-year analysis and a report about dry wells across the entire northeast. He found that a drought in 2016 was “pretty intense,” especially across Western New York and Buffalo in particular. That didn’t match what these towns — the volume of households — in Genesee County have experienced, he said.

Local volunteer firefighters train and hone their skills to save lives and help in dangerous situations

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Fifteen area firefighers successfully completed the Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) training program held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. Also, an eight-hour Trench Rescue Awareness course was recently conducted at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. Twenty-two members of the County’s volunteer fire service completed this program on Nov

Large parts of Genesee County still without power

By Howard B. Owens

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There are still nearly 100 locations in Genesee County with reported power outages affecting thousands of National Grid customers, but several outages should be repaired by this afternoon, including much of Stafford and Bethany and the west side of the Town of Batavia.

National Grid reports that power has been restored

Presentation offers lessons, urges residents to test homes for radon

Sherri Bensley and Allysa Pascoe
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.

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

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.

East Bethany Presbyterian Church to celebrate 200th year

By Maria Pericozzi

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The East Bethany Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary on June 3 and 4, inviting past and present church members, and the community to join the festivities.

In 1817, 11 members were a part of the congregational church society, but later voted to adopt the Presbyterian form of government

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

Mrs. Marguerite James Breckenridge

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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

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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

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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

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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

Charles L. Rieks

By Lisa Ace

Charles L. Rieks, 74, of Greeneville, TN and Orange Park, FL passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017.  He was born July 6, 1942 in Warsaw, NY to the late Harvey and Edith Brower Rieks.
Mr. Rieks graduated from Pavilion Central School.  He worked at Caledonia Bean Plant, Rochester Telephone Company and retired from Amtote International of Hunt Valley, MD.  He worked in Buffalo, Batavia and Canandaigua before transferring to Jacksonville/Orange Park, FL.
Charles was a life member of Pavilion Fire Department and was instrumental in helping to establish the Pavilion Rescue Squad.  He was also an American Legion member.  He was a veteran of the US Army having served from 1961-1967.
Mr. Rieks is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy (Smith) Rieks of Greeneville, TN; son Daniel (Lisa) Rieks of Batavia, NY; daughters, Roseann (Doug) Harris of Greeneville, TN, and Kelly (Daniel) Cordell of Stafford, NY; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley Cotton of Greenville, TX; sisters-in-law, Lorraine (J.E.) Rieks of Silver Spring, MD, Judy (Nick) Cecci of Corning, NY and Patricia (Robert) Murphy of Wyoming, NY; brother-in-law, Gary Phillips of Attica, NY, step-brothers, Robert and Donald Hammond of Rochester, NY; many nieces and nephews; and a very special family friend, Brad Skwirsk.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Edgar (Ed) Rieks.
Services will be held at a later date at East Bethany Rural Cemetery in East Bethany, NY. Memorial contributions can be made to Pavilion Fire Department, P.O. Box 156; Pavilion, New York 14525.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.doughty-stevens.com

Pauline B. Jaczynski

By Joshua Smith

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LeRoy - Pauline B. Jaczynski, 91, formerly of Batavia, died Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at United Memorial Medical Center, in Batavia.

Mrs. Jaczynski was born June 19, 1926 in Turbotville, PA, the daughter of the late Henry and Harriet (Rider) Pursel.

She enjoyed Shopping, eating out and playing BINGO, Pokeno and scratch off tickets.

Her husband, Walter W. Jaczynski, died in 1985.

Survivors include 2 sons, David (Denise) Jaczynski of Basom and Roger (Karen) Jaczynski of Byron; 2 daughters, Mary (Jonathan) Pfennig of Corfu and Rose (Kenneth) Baker of Medina; a sister-in-law, Elsie Pursel of Batavia; 10 grandchildren, Kara Workowski, Bethany Pfennig, Daniel Pfennig,  Amber Jaczynski, Kate Campany, Diana Baker, Kenneth Baker, Jr., Julie Taylor, Samantha Baker and Eric Harter; 10 great-grandchildren, Hailey, Mitchel, Dylan, Eddie, Mason, Evan, Piper, Bella, Raelynn and James and several nieces and nephews. 

She is the sister of the late Calvin, Vernon, Walter, John, Andy, Clarence, Frederick, Charles, Annabelle, Dorothy, Catherine, Mabel, Leah, Julie and Edith.  

Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co, Inc., 403 E. Main St., Batavia, where services will be at 10:30 am Saturday.  Burial will be in Byron Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Homecare & Hospice, 29 Liberty St., Suite #6, Batavia, NY 14020.   Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

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