1 2022
Allegany County boys bound for American Legion Democracy bootcamp
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allegany
FREE
community
JULY
Rebirth for a 1940 Ford Coupe
county
Alfred • Allentown • Alma • Andover • Angelica • Belfast • Belmont • Bolivar • Caneadea • Ceres • Cuba • Filmore • Friendship • Genesee Houghton • little genesee • portville • richburg • Rushford • Scio • shinglehouse • Ulysses • Wellsville • west clarksville • Whitesville
When it rained for three days: Wellsville and the Flood of ‘72 the Florida panhandle and carved a path as a severe tropical storm across the southeast and going into the Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina. The storm then tracked north again making landfall on Long Island as a subtropical storm. At the same time a cyclone was forming, and the two storms began feeding off one another. The two storms merged over Wellsville and stayed over Wellsville for three days resulting in the Flood of ‘72 from June 20 to 25.” In a special report in the Sunday edition of the New York Times dated June 25, 1972, James M. Markham wrote of Wellsville
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — When it rains in June, longtime residents of Wellsville look to the sky and remember Hurricane Agnes of 1972, when the heavens opened up, dumping between 13 and 16 inches of rain on the region. Surrounding creeks overflowed. The Genesee River, running through the heart of the village, poured over its banks. For three days it rained, creating so much devastation that it would take weeks, months and even years to clean up. The village landscape was forever changed. Only a few years after the flood, the course of the Genesee was moved farther to the west to make room for the fourlane arterial by taking over land from the library, thereby putting Jones Memorial Hospital on firmer footing. The National Weather Service explained that during the week prior to Hurricane Agnes a large amount of shower activity resulted in widespread areas of over an inch of rain. Heavy rain started on the night of June 20 and continued until June 25. Over the Genesee River basin the maximum official
Photo courtesy of Dick Neal
Wellsville’s South Main Street is flooded.
rainfall amount recorded was 13.7 inches at Wellsville, and reports of more than 16 inches were also received. In 2012, college student Courtney Waters wrote a thesis about the storm for a hydrology class. She found that the flood of 1972 in Wellsville was the result of the convergence of two storms. Waters presented her flood thesis at a Geological Society of America Conference in Baltimore. Waters wrote, “In mid-June, Hurricane Agnes made landfall in
and the flood, “Like well-placed punches, two floods struck this village of 6,000 inhabitants this week, pouring cascades of water, mud and debris onto a third of its homes and stores, destroying three bridges, wrecking part of its hospital, carrying away perhaps 100 automobiles, cutting off its electricity and telephones to the outside world and polluting its water supply. “Yet today, as the residents of Wellsville shoveled ankle-deep mud out of living rooms and carted huge logs, dead fish, and muskrats off their lawns, many Flood of ‘72 continued on PAGE 2
Home, farm, outdoor retailer buys former Kmart site BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — For several months, Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler kept it under his hat and his fingers crossed after he learned the owner of Riverwalk Plaza was in negotiations with Runnings. The mayor learned the possibility of the home, farm and outdoor store coming into the village in the first part of the new year, shortly
after the purchase and planned renovation of the Erie Depot was announced. In March, Shayler said, after the announcement of Quicklees and the new Walgreen facility, “I think retailers are beginning to recognize the unique position Wellsville is in. For about a 50-mile radius around us there is very little competition. Kmart did very well here, ours was a victim of failure at
nearly 100,000-squarefoot building. They have a lot of what the people around here need — farming and garden supplies and clothing. There isn’t anything like them around in Steuben or Cattaraugus counties and I think they are a good fit.” He went on to say that he believes Runnings will draw customers from the same area
the top level, not on the local level and I think we’ll see some recognition of that of our position.” District IV County Legislator Steve Heavy was manager of the local Kmart before retiring and going into public service. Uniquely familiar with the Wellsville property and the overall success of the store here, he said, “I’m delighted that Runnings is here. It is not easy to fill a
Kmart Site continued on PAGE 6
FRESH MEAT • QUALITY PRODUCE • BAKED GOODS • DELI AT OLD FASHIONED PRICES • PREPARED FOODS 44 Park Avenue Wellsville , New York
Open Daily 7am to 10pm • For Special orders (585)593-3354
72 Genesee Street Cuba, New York
Open Daily 7am to 9pm • For Special orders (585)968-2333
HOT
SALE PRICES EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, July 3, THRU SATURDAY, July 9, 2022
SAVE TIME...SAVE MONEY...EVERY DAY AT THE GIANT FOOD MART! Never Frozen!
Weberd’sish Horsertaard Mus 16 oz.
88
2
Fresh
Dutch Farm Real Cream Toppsing
Sirloin Burgers
699
6.5 oz.
5
2/
LB.
2
99
Ground In Store Daily!
73% Lean Ground Beef Whole
LB.
Fresh ‘n Tender, Boneless Beef
New York Strip Steaks
7
99 LB.
Turkey Hill Premium Ice Cream Several Varieties 48 oz.
10
3/
ess Seedl elons m r Wate
Miller ’s Horseradish
88
4
8 oz.
5
99
Fresh ‘n Tender
Baby Back Pork Ribs Bison
Chip D
299
E AC H
LB.
Fresh ‘n Tender
Boneless Sirloin Pork Chops
LB.
4
99
Fresh ‘n Tender
Boneless Beef Top Round Roast
LB.
Glaceau Vitamin Wate r
ip
69
1
Several Varietie
s 20 oz.
5
4/
12 OZ.
Utz Family Size Potato Chips Several Varieties 7.75-9 oz.
1
99
Pepsi Cubes 24 pack SAVE $4.59
Several Varieties 12 oz. cans, plus dep.
7
99
Coors Light, Molson and Miller Lite 30 Pack 12 oz. cans, plus dep.
21.99 - 12.00 Digital Rebate $ $
Final Cost
9
99 PLUS DEP.