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Bethany issues State of Emergency for water shortage

By Joanne Beck

The Town of Bethany has declared a State of Emergency for water services during a year-end meeting on Thursday due to the town’s inability to provide water services to the affected parcels of approximately 100 residences and two dairy farms in the town.

The town’s Water District 5 had previously

Santa visits Bethany Friday morning, in the form of a water donation, as officials wait for word on district funding

By Joanne Beck
Water donation in Bethany
A donation of four pallets of drinking water by Eric Santos, second from left, of Casella Waste Systems, arrives at Bethany Town Hall Friday morning for residents who have been struggling without water.
Submitted Photo

As town officials and residents work through a water shortage brought on by drought, all of them have said it has been the worst they have ever seen since living in Bethany, many of them for decades. Fill dates are being scheduled week by week from a tanker that was provided by the state Office of Emergency Management.

Santa came early again for a visit Friday morning in the form of a donation of four pallets of bottled water all ready to be distributed to residents, Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. said. Operations Manager Eric Santos of Casella Waste Systems had heard about Bethany's plight and showed up with his crew and the much-welcomed donation of water at town hall, Hyde said.

In the midst of drought, Bethany gets a splash of good news with $5M grant

By Joanne Beck
bethany water tanker nov. 2023
2023 File Photo of Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. reviewing the town's water districts, including the latest Water District 5, which will be a go, thanks to the $5 million WIIA grant awarded to the town. 
Photo by Howard Owens

Tuesday afternoon was unexpectedly busy and gleeful for Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr.

And while still being embroiled in town residents’ plight of dry wells and being in need of daily water supplies, he found something to smile about, he says.

“We’re on the list,” he said about the town’s placement on the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Award approvals. “My phone’s been ringing off the hook. I heard from Steve Hawley and J.W. Cook from the governor’s office. He called to say congratulations, you got your grant. I’m very happy.”

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

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

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

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.

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

Dennis F. Roberts

By T.J. Woodward

roberts.jpg
  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

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.

 

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.

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

A week left to register to vote before primary election

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Election law changes have resulted in an earlier Primary Election date. The Primary Election will be held on June 25th. Because of these calendar changes the following deadlines for registering to vote, if eligible, are the following:

May 31, 2019, is the last day to register in person

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