EAST BERNE — Richard M. Guilz, a man devoted to his family and community, died with his loving family by his side at St. Peter’s Hospice on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

A Berne man set his home on fire in order to demolish the house so he could build a new one in its place.

A new administrator will work to bring new technology to the Berne-Knox-Westerlo classrooms.

HILLTOWNS — Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s Boy Scout Troop 1079 will hold a pancake brunch on Saturday, March 17, at the Masonic Lodge in Berne, next to the Berne Post Office, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Troop is raising money to help fund a three-day trip to historic Boston over the April spring break.

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District held assemblies last week to address any questions or anxieties students may have about school shootings, from teaching how to respond to an active shooter to addressing mental health.

Jason Thomas Gerdsmeier had a passion for writing and meeting the homeless and learning their stories, his mother said.

“His dream was to make a place where people could heal by helping others,” said Pauline Gerdsmeier.

Mr. Gerdsmeier died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Crossville, Tennessee. He was 28.

Richard J. Ronconi, member, Switzkill Farm Board, Berne

Two residents who had been living at the town-owned Switzkill Farm were told to leave after code violations were found in their residence.

BERNE — Jacqueline “Jackie’ O’Keefe, a Berne resident, became the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Her commander handed her a sword used by her son, Bradley, to symbolize her assumption of power.