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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.”

Cornfield fire reported off Creek Road in Bethany

By Billie Owens

A cornfield fire is reported in Bethany at 9561 Creek Road. The location is between Putnam Road and Old Creek Road.

"It's pretty heavy fire," says Bethany Fire Department command.

Alexander fire's UTV is called to the scene along with a tanker. A brush truck and "a lot of hose" will

County leaders bring Congressman Jacobs up to speed regarding bridge, broadband, water needs

By Mike Pettinella
Video Sponsor
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Genesee County government leaders made the most of their 30 minutes with Rep. Chris Jacobs on Wednesday afternoon, informing the recently elected congressman of the major challenges they face

Trailer fire reported in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A trailer fire is reported at 7660 Telephone Road, Pavilion, well off the roadway. A propane tank is near the trailer. Pavilion Fire Department is responding and mutual aid from Le Roy is requested. It started after a pile of leaves was ignited. 

It's east of South Street Road, and west

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.

Towns, city owe nearly $100,000 in county assessment services 'charge-backs'

By Mike Pettinella

Genesee County is preparing statements totaling nearly $100,000 for assessment services provided to towns and the City of Batavia in 2019.

The legislature’s Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday approved a resolution authorizing Kevin Andrews, director of real property tax services, to bill the municipalities for assessment rolls, tax rolls

Learn how to find your way out of the wild using just a map and compass

By Press Release

Press release:

Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal – by using a map and compass! Experts Rick Worner and Linda Kohn teach Orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center on Saturday Sept. 26from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 11

County prepared to distribute $418,882.58 in mortgage tax revenue to municipalities

By Mike Pettinella

The Genesee County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday recommended distribution of more than $400,000 in mortgage tax revenue to the county’s towns, villages and City of Batavia.

The resolution will be considered by the full legislature on Dec. 9.

County Clerk Michael Cianfrini and Treasurer Scott German reported

Science and honeybee programs offered for students this fall at GC Park & Forest

By Press Release

Press release:

East Bethany The Interpretive Nature Center at the Genesee County Park & Forest has science programs for kids this season.

For Students Pre-K – 12th Grade

Students explore the natural world and discover the fascinating lives of forest animals and plants with Science Wednesdays at the Interpretive

​Marilyn W. Dills

By Lisa Ace


Marilyn W. Dills, age 84 of East Bethany, NY passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, March 20th 2020 at
Crossroads House in Batavia. Born November 6th 1935 in Olean, NY the daughter of the late Harold L. and Elsie Brinker Weaver. Marilyn was a 1954 graduate of Pavilion Central School and worked as the bookkeeper for the family farm, Dills Bros. Inc. She was a longtime member of the East Bethany Presbyterian Church and more recently Warsaw's Valley Chapel Free Methodist Church. Marilyn was a terrific homemaker always putting her family first in all she did. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, and socializing with her friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Edwin H. Dills; a son Andrew W. Dills; two brothers Dean Weaver and Dana Weaver.
Survivors include three sons, Timothy (Tena) Dills of Clymer, NY; Thomas (Michelle) Dills of East Bethany; Daniel Dills of Wright, WY; sisters, Sonia (Bill) Whaley of Pavilion; Nancy Weaver of Farmington, NY; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Marilyn's family would like to thank the volunteers and staff at Crossroads for the excellent care that she received. We also want to thank all of her friends that took the time to visit mom at Crossroads.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date at the Valley Chapel Free Methodist Church in Warsaw. Burial will follow in the East Bethany Rural Cemetery. Please visit www.weeksfuneral.com to offer condolences, send cards. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Crossroads House at PO Box 403 Batavia, New York 14021. Crossroads House has been operating for 22 years, providing no cost service to the residents and their families. They rely entirely on donations and volunteers.

Law and Order: Two GC residents accused of driving without a valid NYS license

By Billie Owens

Elijah J. Richardson, 23, of Batavia (address not provided), is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree, unlicensed operator and failure to keep right. At 4:10 a.m. Aug. 23 in the Town of Middlebury, Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy Bliss conducted a traffic

Janet L. Murray

By Joshua Smith

BATAVIA - Janet L. Murray, 64, of Batavia, passed away Friday, (March 27, 2020), at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo.

Ms. Murray was born July 8, 1955, in Adrian, Michigan, a daughter of Joanne (Peavey) Dart of Batavia and the late Donald Dart.

Janet was a member of Cornerstone Church in East Pembroke and enjoyed reading, crocheting, and playing card and board games.  She cherished time spent with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Thomas (Amanda) Murray of Bethany; grandchildren, Nora and Jack Murray; brothers,  James Dart of Batavia, Dale (Katherine) Dart of Homer, Darrell (late Jennifer) Dart of Holley; a sister Kayleen (Vinny Pastore) Dart of LeRoy.  Serveral nieces and nephews also survive.

Private services will be held for immediate family.  A video of the service will be posted to the funeral home's website. A public service will be held at a later date and will be announced.  Burial will be in West Bethany Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Janet's memory may be made to Volunteers for Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, New York 14020.

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

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