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No Thanksgiving at community center, but water on the way, Bethany supervisor says

By Joanne Beck
Tanker at Bethany
A tanker filled with 6,700 gallons of water arrives early Wednesday morning in Bethany. 
Photo submitted by Carl Hyde

All things considered, Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde was in fairly good spirits Tuesday evening after making phone calls to Bethany residents for three hours to, as he put it, serve as an early Grinch and rob them of their holiday. 

Those people had been planning on celebrating Thanksgiving at the town’s Community Center because they didn’t have water in their own homes. On Tuesday morning, the Community Center went dry as well. 

Bethany residents will have opportunity to fill water totes Saturday

By Joanne Beck

Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. would like all town of Bethany residents to know that there will be a first come-first served opportunity for them to fill up their 250 and 500-gallon totes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

You are asked to only use the Bethany Center

Barniak Farms in Bethany named Conservation Farm of the Year

By Howard B. Owens

soilwaterfarmof2018-2.jpg

Barniak Farms has been selected by the Genesee County Soil and Water District as the 2018 Conservation Farm of the Year.

Brad Mudrzynski, with Soil and Water, said the farm was selected because of what it does to protect soil health and the watershed, such as planting cover crops, which helps

Bethany town residents with dry wells asked to contact town hall

By Press Release

Press Release:

Today we received a tanker of water from the NY State Office of Emergency Management to temporarily provide water to our residents experiencing dry wells.

For those residents affected, please call 585-343-1399, Ext. 202, and leave your full name, address and phone number. You will then be contacted

Getting their fill: Few residents show to first-time call to fill water totes, more dates set

By Joanne Beck
bethany water tanker nov. 2023
Bethany Town Board member Timothy Embt helps out at the water tanker on Saturday at the town hall parking lot.
Photo by Howard Owens

Jerry Kujawski had no trouble with Saturday’s rule of first-come, first-served to fill up his 300-gallon water tote. In fact, he made a return trip to fill it up a second time to help out a neighbor, and he was only the third or fourth person who had been at Bethany Town Hall to do so for the two-hour fill-up period.

When it seemed as though there would have been dozens of people clamoring for a go at the pump connected to a tanker of water to shore up their dried-up wells, the parking lot was empty most of the time. 

Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. had put out the notice that anyone with no water could get their totes filled between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday at the town hall, and he and members of the Bethany town board and fire department stood at the tanker ready and waiting.

Paper plates and plasticware: modern day life without running water

By Joanne Beck

One’s lifestyle most definitely changes without running water, he said. You microwave your meals, eat on paper plates and use plastic cutlery. Showers are taken at obliging family members’ homes, and dirty clothes are taken care of at a laundromat.

There’s no turning on the tap, hopping in the shower or taking anything for granted when it comes to a steady stream of that liquid gold labeled H2O.

Worth: 40-year water supply pact is a win-win for City of Batavia, Genesee County

By Mike Pettinella

Approval of a 40-year water supply agreement between the City of Batavia and Genesee County is a win-win situation for both municipalities, according to a City official who has played an integral role in the negotiations.

Speaking after tonight’s Batavia City Council meeting – at which council members unanimously approved

Ride the wave: County planners OK second waterslide at Darien Lake

By Mike Pettinella

wahoo_wave.jpg

The “Wahoo Wave” waterslide made a big splash with Genesee County planners on Thursday night as they recommended approval of the site plan for the state-of-the-art 60-foot attraction that will be coming to Darien Lake in the spring.

The planning board, at its monthly meeting at County Building No. 2

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.

Dennis F. Roberts

By T.J. Woodward

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  Dennis F. Roberts, 79 of Attica, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019 at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia. He was born in Buffalo on June 10, 1939 to the late Fredrick (Norma Ruth) Roberts. He is preceded in death by a sister Shirley Limpinsel, brothers-in-law Robert Heller, Matthew “Sonny” Parrish and fur baby Gidget.  

Denny was a member of Attica Volunteer Exempt Fire Department Benevolent Association, WNY Gas & Steam Engine Association and past member of the Mighty St. Joe’s Drum Corp. He retired from Town of Attica Highway Department and was caretaker of St. Vincent’s Cemetery for many years. Denny was a longtime member of Sts. Joachim & Anne Parish in Attica.

Mr. Roberts is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Mary Jane (Parrish) Roberts of Attica; loving daughter Jody (Tim) Lutey of Stafford; beloved Pa to Rachel (Michael) Blecha of East Bethany; Matthew (Emily) Lutey of Batavia; Pop Pops beloved pride and joys, Macey & Preslee Blecha; Kylie & Claire Lutey; fur babies Cabela & CeCe. Beloved siblings, Paul (Linda) Roberts of Michigan; Ronald (Barbara) Roberts of Florida; Daralee (Donald) McCulloch of Attica; Michelle Carr and Frank of Arizona; Yvonne (Rex) Bishop of Colorado; brother-in-law Gene Limpinsel of Elma; sisters-in-law, Ann Heller of Florida; Joann Parrish, Nancy (David) Dimick of Attica; Cathy (James) Perl of Varysburg; Goddaughter Breanna Hummel, along with many loving nieces and nephews.  

Friends are invited to an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday April 27, 2019 at Sts. Joachim & Anne Parish, 50 East Avenue, Attica, NY 14011. Denny will be laid to rest in St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Attica.    

Flowers are gratefully declined, memorials may be made to Attica Fire Department, 11 Water Street, Attica, NY 14011 or to Wings Flights of Hope, P.O. Box 872, Orchard Park, NY 14127. 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.  

Weather-related calls starting at 2:30 p.m.

By Billie Owens

Unknown wires are down in the roadway at Colby Road and Genesee Street. Corfu Fire Department is responding.

******

A tree is down on wires, which are smoking, at 2679 Galloway Road, Batavia. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding. National Grid has been informed.

*****

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: A broken

Deadliest rural road accidents in NYS involve farm tractors and equipment

By Billie Owens

Information from New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health:

Genesee County is one of the state's top five farming counties by sales, with more acreage dedicated to corn for grain and silage than any other local crop. And this is the time of year motorists can expect to begin

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

Ruth E. Lewis

By Joshua Smith

BATAVIA - Ruth E. Lewis, 94, of Batavia, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

Ruth was born September 25, 1924, in Lockport, a daughter of the late William and  Edna (Brooks) Cornell Hofert.

She was a sales clerk for the former W.T. Grant Co. in Batavia and lived in Washington Towers for 23 years.  She enjoyed playing BINGO.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda (Sam Williams) Rindell of Corfu, 2 sons, Keith Lewis of Batavia and Richard (Diane) Lewis of Pavilion; a daughter-in-law, Mary Lewis of Stafford; a brother, Donald (Norma) Hofert of Lockport; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.         

She was predeceased by her husband, Howard W. Lewis; a son, Walter Lewis; a daughter, Karen Rindell; a son-in-law, Richard Rindell; a brother, Kenneth Cornell and 4 sisters, Joyce DeMarco, Mary Briggs, Edna Schwertferger and Betty Farina.

Service will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Maple Lawn Cemetery, 10424 Bethany Center Rd in Bethany.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.  Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main St., Batavia.  Please leave a concolence, share a story or light a cancle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

 

Marian F. Sisson

By Joshua Smith

DUNKIRK/BATAVIA/BETHANY - Marian F. Sisson, 91, of Dunkirk, formerly of Batavia and Bethany, passed away Friday, January 25, 2019, at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk.

Marian was born November 15, 1927, in Avon, a daughter of the late John and Martha (Mulroy) Clark.

She was a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked with her husband as Family Care Providers in the Family Care Program from West Seneca Developmental Center for over 20 years.  Both she and her husband were awarded the "Top Home Care Providers" in the State of New York by the Western NY Developmental Disabilities Service Office (DDSO). 

Marian loved music and was an active participant in any activities involving music.  She loved flowers and tended to her own garden.  She was happiest as her life revolved around her family. 

She was the wife of the late Donald G. Sisson who died on June 24, 2009.

Survivors include 3 sons, Thomas (Rosemary) Sisson of Canandaigua, David (Dawn) Sisson of Batavia and Steven (Donna) Sisson of Richmond, VA; 2 daughters, Margaret Sisson (Sue Rocque) of Fredonia and Patricia (Richard) Hoagland of Fredonia; 7 grandchildren,  Brian (Cheryl) Sisson, Kristy Sisson Valdivia, Kevin (Cheryl) McAllister, Kailee Sisson, Andrea Sisson, Daniel Sisson and Caroline Sisson; 6 great-grandchildren, Drew Sisson, Lucy Sisson, Charly Sisson, Lucas McAllister, Brycen McAllister and Owen McAllister; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is predeceased by her siblings, James (Helen) Clark, John Clark, Edward (Maureen) Clark, Marguerite (Deston) Paddock, Genevieve (Lewis) Paine, Martha (Gerald) Smith, Alice (Richard) Kosakowski and Dorothy (William) Stoltman.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 E. Main St, Batavia.  Marian's Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday at Resurrection Parish, St. Joseph's Church, 303 E. Main St., Batavia.  Burial, at a later date, will be in West Bethany Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Marian’s name to the Chautauqua Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, 10836 Temple Road, Dunkirk, New York 14048 for the Music Therapy program.   To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com

Please note the changes for the calling hours and Funeral Mass.  These changes were due to the severe weather expected in the next few days.

 

Robert K. Aradine

By Joshua Smith

BERGEN - Robert K. Aradine, 84, of Bergen, passed away Monday, (December 2, 2019), at United Memorial Medical Center, in Batavia.

Mr.  Aradine was born June 26, 1935, in Bergen, a son of the late Kenneth and Imogene (McIntyre) Aradine.

Bob was a lifetime farmer and truck driver, a 45 year member and past Master of the Hesperus Lodge Free and Accepted Masons in Bergen, and a member of the Bergen United Methodist Church.  He was active with the FFA and enjoyed huting, fishing, snowmobiling, and spending time with his family.

Robert is survived by his loving companion, Jackie Toscano of Bergen, sons, Richard A. (Sharon) Aradine and Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Aradine both of Bergen; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Bethany) Aradine of Bergen, Brandon (Megan) Aradine of Byron, Justin Aradine, and Jenna Aradine both of Bergen; great-grandchildren, Levi, Evelyn, Kate, and Abby Grace Aradine; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Aradine of Bergen; a brother, David (Marie) Aradine of Bergen, brother-in-law, Kenneth Bater of Cali. 

Mr. Aradine is preceded in death by a son, Barry Aradine; Brother, Roy Aradine; and sisters, Emily Bater, and Ann Bater.

There will be no visitation.  A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.  Burial will be in Mt. Rest Cemetery, Bergen. Flowers are gratefully declined, however those wishing may make a memorial contribution to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in Robert's name.  Please leave a message of condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Bergen. 

Law and Order: Jackson Street man accused of strangulation jailed without bail

By Billie Owens

Jeremy M. Fairbanks, 41, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree strangulation. Fairbanks was arrested following an investigation into a domestic dispute that occurred at 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 13 on Jackson Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court at 3:03 p.m. on Dec. 18 and

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