Obituary: Joyce B. Krupnik, 77, Wellsville

Wellsville, NY – Joyce B. Krupnik, 77, of 372 N. Main Street, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Hart Comfort House, with her loving family at her side. She was born February 18, 1947, in Fillmore, the daughter of the late Walter and Lois (Mills) Beardsley. On July 3, 1982, in Wellsville she married Stanley Krupnik, who survives.

Joyce was a graduate of Fillmore Central School and Houghton College, where she had studied Social Sciences. Her love of the subject lead her into an education career, first at Pioneer Central School, and then moving to Wellsville where she taught History and English for the Wellsville Elementary School. There she inaugurated the beloved ‘Explorer’s Day’ bringing an innovative and immersive way of teaching students about European Explorers as they dressed up as famous European explorers. Additionally, she produced the famous Wellsville Elementary Follies. After her formal retirement from Wellsville, she could not resist the ability to use her educational skills working at Scio Central School as a reading intervention teacher. Outside of her formal career, she was very involved in her community, teaching 9^th grade religious education for the Immaculate Conception Church, a member and secretary of the Genesee Valley Chorus, she served as President of the Allegany County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and the Hart Comfort House, and was Vice President of the Monday Club. She also was a member of the Wellsville Country Club for over 50 years, and belonged to beta sigma phi, beta epsilon, and delta kappa gamma. She loved to read and was a member of the Books & Wine Club.

Surviving in addition to her loving husband are two daughters, Jill Elizabeth Krupnik, and Kathryn Francyn Krupnik, three brothers, Willis, Lynn, and Roger Beardsley, and her beloved Scottish Terrier, Belle. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her twin brother, Joel Alan Beardsley.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, January 6, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 7, at 11:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church. The Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to the Comfort House of Allegany County, the Genesee Valley Chorus, or the Allegany County Association of the Blind and Visually Handicapped.  To leave online donations please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com .

DEC Lifts Drought Watch Statewide, Return to Normal Status in all 62 Counties

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today updated drought conditions across the state, returning all 62 New York counties to “Normal” status. In cooperation with the State's Drought Management Task Force, DEC updated drought status from “Drought Watch” to “Normal” statewide, including New York City, after assessing recent precipitation and elevated levels of ground and surface water. While statewide and regional hydrological conditions have notably improved, localized dry conditions may persist and despite encouraging hydrological conditions, New Yorkers are urged to continue reducing unnecessary water use and waste, fixing leaks, and choosing efficient water fixtures.

“Recent precipitation and the vigilance of New Yorkers who heeded calls to conserve water resources have alleviated dry conditions across the state,” said DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “DEC experts will continue to monitor conditions and work with New York City officials and localities across the state to identify any necessary steps and actions needed to help prevent additional shortages while New York State moves from a Drought Watch to Normal conditions.” 

New York State drought Region IIA, which includes New York City and Westchester County, is among the regions moving to normal status due to the satisfactory storage levels and refill probability of the New York City reservoirs.

“The lifting of the drought watch underscores the critical role of DEP’s strategic planning and adaptive management of New York City’s critical water resources,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “I’m grateful to our fellow City agencies for their partnership and to all New Yorkers for their conservation efforts, which helped us save water. Let’s continue to use water wisely to ensure the resilience and reliability of the city’s water supply system.” 

According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the City's reservoirs are at more than 75 percent capacity with over 420 billion gallons in storage. DEC continues to work closely with DEP to monitor reservoir conditions and encourage responsible water use, especially outdoors, regardless of the hydrological conditions or season. 

Following the declaration, DEC briefed the State Drought Management Task Force and federal partner agencies. A map of New York State drought conditions is available on the DEC website.

New York State encourages ongoing water conservation to ensure adequate supply for all emergency uses. To protect water resources, homeowners are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and follow these tips:

• Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water plants.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• Fix leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses and faucets.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly.
• Install water saving plumbing fixtures.
• Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold.
• Wash cars less frequently.

Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense for more tips on saving water indoors and outdoors. DEC has been a WaterSense partner since 2014.

Private Water Wells

For water wells that may be affected by drought, see the information and links below. Contact a registered water well contractor to discuss appropriate options for your individual situation.

• Check that the well is dry due to drought and no other issues. Sometimes the solution is quite simple, like a broken valve or electrical issue. The only way to definitively tell if a well is dry is to measure the water level in the well.
• Conserve water year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on water wells.
• Consider adding a water storage tank to help get through dry periods.
• Clean or redevelop existing wells.
• Deepen existing wells or drill a new well. If drilling a new well, properly decommission the old well to protect groundwater quality.

State Drought Index

Drought stages are calculated using the State Drought Index, which evaluates whether several drought indicators have reached critical thresholds. DEC experts track and evaluate drought conditions based on stream flows, lake and reservoir storage levels, and groundwater levels. These factors, and the duration of the dry period, season, and other information such as past and forecasted precipitation, weather patterns, and local conditions, are used by DEC to evaluate drought conditions across the state. The State Drought Index is attuned to the specific attributes of New York and may differ moderately from some national technical drought assessments.

DEC and the U.S. Geological Survey are partners in evaluating hydrologic conditions across New York State. In addition, DEC supports efforts by local governments and stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures based on specific local circumstances.

Allegany gov. issues statement on major fire in Friendship

Allegany County Fire Departments Battle Fire in Friendship

On January 2, 2025, our Office of Emergency Management reported that at 12:27 p.m., the Friendship Fire Department was toned out to respond to a structure fire at 4 Depot Street in Friendship. Ten Allegany County Fire Departments as well as the City of Olean Fire Departments responded to the scene. In addition, seven ambulance services responded, and three fire departments were on standby.  Our law enforcement offices including the New York State Police, Sheriff’s Office, and Friendship Police Department also assisted.

All people were evacuated from the structure, evaluated, and have been released.

Eight apartments were destroyed by the fire, and The American Red Cross and Love Thy Neighbor were contacted to assist the displaced families.

On behalf of the citizens of Allegany County, I would like to recognize and thank the many dedicated first responders whose quick actions and tireless efforts helped to minimize the devastation this tragic fire caused.  

W. Brooke Harris, Chair

Allegany County Legislature

Obituary: John G. Peet, 87, a lifelong resident of Hebron

 

HEBRON, PA---John G. Peet, 87, a lifelong resident of Hebron, passed away in his home with his loving wife by his side on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, after a brief illness. 

Born on Friday, July 23, 1937 in Port Allegany, he was a son of Robert H. and Marie L. Metzger Peet.  On May 10, 1969 in the Hebron Seventh Day Baptist Church, he married Karlene S. Parker, who survives. 

John was a graduate of Coudersport High School, Class of 1956.   He attended Penn State University for animal husbandry and business administration.  He also attended Pitt Bradford studying gerontology.  

John, along with his wife, owned and operated Sunset Valley Farm.  Early in his working career, he was employed as a technician with N.E.P.A. as an artificial inseminator.  For 35 years, John was employed at the former Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, holding various positions including opening the Physical Therapy department.  For the majority of John’s career, he was the director of Recreational Services for the hospital, a position that he truly enjoyed. 

For over 54 years, John served as treasurer of the Woodland Cemetery Association and for over 62 years, he was the caretaker of the cemetery, a position he was truly dedicated to serve. 

With an avid interest in history, John was a member of the Potter County Historical Society in Coudersport.  He was also a member and master of Odin Grange #1254 in Odin and a member and master of Potter County Pomona Grange #54.  He was also a member of the National Trust for Historical Preservation and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. 

Surviving in addition to his wife of 55 years are a brother, R. Theodore “Ted” (Lee) Peet of Coudersport; and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by a sister, Roberta M. Cunfer; two brothers, Marion K. “Mark” Peet and Raymond H. Peet; and a nephew, Sean Peet. 

Private funeral services will be held in the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, with John’s brother, Ted Peet, officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery. 

John entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse. 

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of John, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.

First baby of 2525 at UR Jones Memorial

The 2025 New Year's Baby was born this year to one of JMH's very own! Maria Murphy, an OB nurse and her husband Timothy, welcomed baby girl, Dylan Marie on January 1 at 8:50am, weighing in at 6lbs, 6.3 oz and measuring 19 3/4 inches. Congratulations to the family, from your whole Jones family!

New York State Police Blotter – Jan. 2, 2025

New York State Police Blotter – Jan. 2, 2025

1/2/25 6:53 p.m.- After investigating a weapon complaint in Amity in December, state troopers have now arrested Keith S. Kuder, 41, of Olean. He was taken into custody in Angelica. Kuder was charged with offering a false written statement and conspiracy. He was taken to the Allegany County Jail for Central arraignment.

In a separate case, state police charged Kuder with felony burglary and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

1/2/25 11:33 a.m.- Following an incident Christmas Eve, state police arrested a 14-year-old juvenile from Dundee. The youth was charged with first-degree rape involving a victim under the age of 11 and felony first-degree sexual abuse. The teen was released on a Family court appearance ticket.

Morrison Hayes Post 702 American Legion Family News for January and February 2025

Morrison Hayes Post 702 American Legion Family News for January and February 2025

Further information will be coming for February 2nd and March 2nd, 2025 Unit 702 American Legion Auxiliary breakfasts.

Post 702 Addition is coming along nicely and hoping to be finish soon.

Wellsville Police Blotter - Jan. 2, 2025

Date: Thursday January 2, 2025

 

Wellsville Police arrested Patrick W. Gallagher, age 33 of Wellsville, charging him with Criminal Mischief 3^rd (Class E Felony) and Pettit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor).  The charge stems from an incident that took place on North Brooklyn Avenue on December 23^rd.  Gallagher was processed and transported to the Allegany County Jail pending arraignment in CAP Court.  Gallagher is due to appear in Wellsville Village Court at a later date. 

 

Wellsville Police, acting on a Bench Warrant, arrested Ashley J. Taber, age 36 of Wellsville charging her with a Violation of Probation.  Taber was additionally charged with Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor). The charge stems from an incident that took place on North Brooklyn Avenue.  Taber was processed and issued an appearance ticket on the Resisting Arrest charge.  Taber is due to appear in Wellsville Village Court on January 7^th at 4:30 pm.  Taber was transported to the Allegany County Jail for arraignment in CAP Court on the Probation Violation charge.

Allegany County Democrats Partner with ACASA to Support Unhoused Community Members

 

Belmont, NY – As its 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service project, the Allegany County Democratic Committee (ACDC) is proud to announce its partnership with the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (ACASA) to help provide vital support for unhoused individuals in the county. Together, these organizations are collecting winter essentials to address the needs of those facing harsh conditions.

Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is a federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities.

“Our members recently attended a forum on poverty in Allegany County, which reinforced that low wealth and homelessness often go hand-in-hand,” said Karen Ash, ACDC Chair. “The local statistics are eye-opening. We hope our collaboration with ACASA will help shine a light on this issue and cause government leaders to devote attention and resources toward finding actionable solutions.”

A donation drive is underway to gather high-priority items, which include:

●        Sweatpants and sweatshirts (L & XL preferred)

●        Long winter underwear

●        Winter socks

●        Waterproof warm gloves

●        Hats and scarves

●        Hand and foot warmers

●        Gatorade packets

●        Cheese & cracker packets

●        Aquaphor

●        Blistex SPF 15

●        Deodorant

●        Hairbrushes

●        Ouchless Hair Elastics

●        Listerine (alcohol-free)

●        Wet Ones

The drive runs through January 17, 2025 and the collected items will be delivered on Monday, January 20^th, the national holiday.   ACDC invites everyone to contribute, to help ensure no one faces winter without essential goods.  Donation boxes are in place at the following seven locations:

 

Alfred: Alumni Hall at Alfred University; Box of Books Library; Union University Church Center

Belmont: Genesee Valley Central School

Canaseraga: American Legion Fawcett Post 1582

Fillmore: Wide Awake Club Library

Wellsville: David A. Howe Library 

Cassi Stives, CRPA and Street Outreach and Engagement for ACASA, said, “Winter is a hard time for our population in general, but the unhoused folks struggle more than most! This drive is a huge blessing.”

One injured in Wellsville house fire

A Wellsville home on East State Street/County Road 28 just outside the village suffered heavy damage in a fire Thursday night. Authorities said the occupant was rescued, but injured. Officials at the scene called it a "working fire" which prompted several nearby departments to be called. Several were later canceled after Wellsville fire crews brought the blaze under control. Wellsville ambulance transported an adult male victim to UR Jones Memorial for treatment. The Wellsville fire chief requested the utility company to shut down power and he also requested the Code Enforcement Officer be notified. Multiple fire investigators also responded to the scene. The American Red Cross was also requested to assist the male victim. This blaze comes on the heal of a mass casualty fire at an apartment complex in Friendship earlier in the day. At the same time Thursday night, Wellsville police were busy apprehending a wanted female suspect in an unrelated case.. Throughout the day Thursday troopers and first responders were also busy handling multiple vehicle crashes on snow covered highways. The cause of the East State fire remains under investigation.

Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio's final thoughts before leaving office- Represented Allegany County

Giglio served Allegany County - opted not to run again. Joe Sempolinski to take over

If I could have one wish granted in the New Year, it would be for be for a return of respect and bipartisanship in Albany to ensure that state government serves the common good of all New Yorkers, both upstate and downstate. This is my last statement as an elected official. It is not made out of malice for any region or political party. It is made out of profound concern for our great state and the hard-working New Yorkers who make this the Empire State. New Yorkers have a lot to be proud of. New York was the first capital of the United States. Much of the Revolutionary War was fought here and more New Yorkers fought and died during the Civil War, ending slavery and saving the union, than any other state.

Wall Street is the center of global finance and many consider New York City the cultural capital of Western civilization. We are truly all in this together, upstate and downstate, but a majority of those in power in the state Capitol don’t think or believe it. The fact is the people running things in Albany have turned rural, upstate New York into a colony of New York City. They treat us not as fellow New Yorkers but as a resource farm to supply them with energy, food and raw materials. Sometimes we are a convenient backdrop for a press conference. It’s a resource extraction model that would have the NYC elites protesting in the streets if it were happening to their constituents. We send money and electricity to NYC. In return we get taxes and regulations that are killing rural New York.

Under one-party-rule, the most powerful members of the legislature are from New York City. Yes, Gov. Hochul is from Buffalo. I hoped she would bring some Western New York common sense to Albany. Instead, she embraced the most radical members of her conference. Despite the cache of being home to one of the world’s great cities, upstate would be better off without New York City. That’s why I co-sponsored A01978 to hold a referendum on whether we should divide New York into two separate states. The Democrat majority killed the bill in committee and it never got a fair hearing.

We are in a similar situation to what the 13 Colonies lived under. We need independence from New York City the same way our country needed independence from the British Empire. A lot of my downstate colleagues believe upstate could never survive without Wall Street revenue. The truth is New York City needs upstate more than we need Wall Street.

Sure, Wall Street generates $19 billion in revenue for New York each year and all of us benefit to a certain degree. But relying on Wall Street is dangerously short sighted. Wall Street is data. You can do data from anywhere. The pandemic proved it, which is why so many offices in Manhattan remain empty three years later. Agriculture is the true economic foundation of New York State. New York’s farmers and ranchers generate $5.7 billion in gross income per year. Agriculture and related industries like cheese and yogurt production account for a whopping $44 billion in economic activity each year. And you can’t squeeze a potato or a cow down a fiber-optic cable. Meanwhile, the majority is working hard to drive us into bankruptcy. New York State’s budget has ballooned $70 billion dollars since 2018 when the one-party rule took over.

Our state budget was $170 billion in 2018. The current state budget is $234.9 billion dollars. That’s insane, reckless and unsustainable. The governor’s own budget division in June projected that current state spending will far outpace revenue to tune of $2.3 billion in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, $4.3 billion the following year and $7.3 billion for the 2027-2028 fiscal year. Her own accountants are projected a $14 billion deficit within four years. Let’s put these numbers in perspective. New York has a population of 19 million and an annual budget of $234.9 billion. That’s nearly double the state budgets of two places New Yorkers are fleeing to. Florida has a population of 22.6 million and a state budget of $116.5 billion. Texas has a population of 30.5 million and a state budget of $144 billion. So the combined budgets of Texas and Florida, two more populace states, is $260.5 billion. Our budget is $234.9 billion. Does that make sense?

And where is that $234 billion going? The CEOs of regional nonprofits, schools, libraries, hospitals and human service agencies tell me all the time that their state aid is has been flat or heading in negative territory. They rarely receive cost of living (COLA) increases from the state despite having to pay for unfunded mandates from Albany like increases in the minimum wage, and demands to switch their facilities from fossil fuels to all electric heat, etc.

The governor held a press conference last year to laud a $500 million fund to help school districts switch to all electric buses. The media played it up. She got great press on that one. In reality, it will cost taxpayers $20 billion to fully convert all New York schools to electric school buses by 2035, which is the mandated deadline of New York’s fatuously misnamed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The CLCPA is leading New York to bankruptcy. It also won’t do a thing to mitigate carbon emissions and reduce global warming. New York State is responsible for 0.4 percent of worldwide carbon emissions. If the majority truly cared about climate change, they would be protesting in Tiananmen Square demanding that the Chinese government stop building coal-fired electric plants.

Generations of New Yorkers will wind up paying for these policies. We are being taxed to death and taxpayers and businesses are fleeing New York like they never have before. New York leads the nation in outmigration. It’s the great emptying of the Empire State. Devoted to their own short-term interests, those in power ignore or are blind to the damage they are doing to our state.

New York politics is out of whack. Only New York’s voters can save it.

NY Attorney General to recuse office from prison death

Public Statement:

“Earlier today, after much consideration, research, and review, my office decided to recuse itself from the investigation of the correction officers involved in the events preceding the death of Mr. Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County. 

  

“This decision is not one that was made lightly, but we believe this is the best course of action to protect the integrity of the investigation, and to ensure accountability and justice for Mr. Brooks, his family, friends, loved ones, and for all New Yorkers. 

  

“My office’s Division of State Counsel, by law, represents state agencies in legal matters, including the Department of Corrections and correction officers. 

 

“My Office of Special Investigation investigates matters where an officer of the law may have caused the death of a civilian. 

  

“As part of our Office of Special Investigation cases, we do internal conflicts checks.  

  

“After obtaining video and identifying the officers involved in the incident, we conducted this standard check.  

  

“Four of the correction officers under investigation in the Robert Brooks matter are currently defendants in other matters and are being represented by lawyers in the Office of the Attorney General.  

  

“While we are confident in the firewalls set up between the Division of State Counsel and the Office of Special Investigation, even the possibility or mere appearance of a conflict could tie up a potential prosecution in lengthy legal challenges or get a potential prosecution outright dismissed. 

  

“And I will not allow justice to be delayed or denied because of a conflict.  

  

“Earlier today, we filed papers in Onondaga County Supreme Court under County Law Section 701 to appoint Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick as a special prosecutor in this matter. 

  

“When a prosecutor is unable to take a case, County Law Section 701 allows for the appointment of a district attorney in the same judicial department. 

  

“District Attorney Fitzpatrick has served Onondaga County for over 30 years. His office is well resourced to handle this complex and large investigation, and I thank him for taking on this case.  

  

“Additionally, my office’s Division of State Counsel will not represent the Department of Corrections and/or its officers in this investigation. 

  

“Again, this decision was made with the utmost respect for the integrity of this investigation, and we will ensure that there will not be any delays. 

  

“My Office of Special Investigation will hand over all records to the District Attorney’s office immediately. 

  

“My office has spoken with representatives of Mr. Brooks’ family to explain this decision. And I want to take this opportunity again to express my sincerest condolences to them during this unimaginable, difficult time. 

  

“It is critically important that justice is served. This decision ensures that it will be.”