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UMMC, Genesee County, team up again to provide park visitors with sunscreen

By Press Release
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Press release:

More than 4,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with skin cancer a year.  United Memorial Medical Center and the Genesee County Parks Department are collaborating once again to

Freedom Weekend in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Philip and I  will be at the Muckdogs game Friday evening handing out water bottle kozies (assuming the shipment arrives today as expected). Game time is 7 p.m. at Dwyer Stadium and fireworks are scheduled to follow the game.

Weather.com
is predicting continued showers  through today, partly cloudy for Friday

On the Beat: Three nabbed for break-in at Rolling Hills

By Philip Anselmo

Three teenagers were picked up following a break-in at the Rolling Hills Paranormal Research Center in Bethany Saturday night, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Robert A. Ferguson, 19, of Oakfield, was charged with third degree criminal trespass, fourth-degree criminal mischief and unlawful possession of marijuana. Catrina M. Colvin, 16, of

Police Blotter: Wednesday, June 11

By Philip Anselmo

Police Blotter for Wednesday, June 11:

  • Genesee County sheriff's deputies charged a Batavia driver with a felony count of aggravated driving while intoxicated last night. Arron L. Zimblis, 44, of 114 Vine St. (Lower), Batavia, was driving on Putnam Road in the town of Bethany when deputies allege that he

On the Beat: Missing from Sheldon

By Philip Anselmo

State police out of Warsaw are searching for a Sheldon man who went missing nearly ten days ago. Michael F. Shiltz, 42, was last seen by his family on November 10. From the state police:

Sources close to the family reported locating Shiltz’s truck parked on a trail off of

Weekend Arrests

By Philip Anselmo

The following arrests were reported over the weekend:

  • Adam M. Zastrocky, 23, of Bergen, was charged with aggaravated driving while intoxicated Friday night, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Zastrocky was stopped on Lake Avenue in Bergen and ticketed with driving without a front license plate.
  • Dietrich Williams, 26, of 541

Ethyl I. Sojda

By T.J. Woodward

Ethyl I. Sojda, age 84, of Creek Rd, Batavia, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 8th, 2022. Ethyl was born in Batavia as the only daughter of the late Vincent N. and Ruth M. Kirch. She was a life-long resident of Alexander, NY.

After graduating from Alexander Central School, she held various jobs until she married her late husband, John F. Sojda, Jr. in 1961 and raised three children. As a dedicated mother she could be seen braving any weather to watch her children’s sporting events. She returned to work in 1977 and held a number of positions with local companies over the following thirty years. In her last role she was a Loose Ends hostess managing the GCC cafeteria where many folks came to enjoy her kind and pleasant personality and her dedicated work ethic.

Though a long-time crocheter, later in life she became a serious quilter and active in the Batavia Museum Quilt Guild. She produced a number of quilts for family and friends that are still enjoyed daily.

For a number of years, she was also a volunteer with All Babies Cherished. It was not uncommon to see her with her knitting material creating baby hats for the regional hospital system. For many years she was an assistant to John Sojda, Jr. in his role as Alexander Town Justice. Part of her charm and grace was how resiliently and quietly she met life’s challenges—both her own and those of others who knew her.

Ethyl is survived by her sons John and Steve (Barb), her daughter Ann, five grandchildren; Lily Whisman, Jacob (Paige), Stephanie (Patrick) Guarino, Michelle (Andrew) James , and Angela (Martin) Pohl, great-grandchildren; Ezekiel Guarino, Emily and Eli James, Alex, and Maria Pohl. She was preceded by her brother Merlin Kirch and has 4 surviving brothers (Ralph, Arnold, Harold, and Myron), and many nieces and nephews.

Mass at St. Mary's in Batavia at 9:30am Saturday June 25th followed by a graveside service at West Bethany Cemetery. Lunch to follow at her home at

9926 Creek Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alexander Rescue Squad PO Box 336 Alexander, NY 14005 or Homecare & Hospice 29 Liberty St. Suite 6 Batavia, NY 14020. 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, NY 14011

Three Pavilion alumni inducted into school's Hall of Fame

By Press Release

The Pavilion Hall of Fame inducted three new members on Friday: Jack McGee, a veteran of WWII, Diane Davis Torcello, a banker and community activist, and TJ Majors, a NASCAR spotter.

The family of McGee received a U.S. flag, which had been flown over the Pentagon. Torcello shared stories of her work and volunteer contributions. 

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