Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse dome is shown Thursday night lighted up in purple this month in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

County legislators last week issued a proclamation in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Legislators said that while 90 percent of domestic violence cases go unreported, 265 cases were reported to the Orleans County Domestic Violence Unit in 2024, and 165 cases have been reported to the unit from Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2025.

County Legislator Fred Miller last week presented a proclamation to Judianne Gearing, Domestic Violence Supervisor (left), and Kelley Ortiz, Domestic Violence Services Coordinator.

“Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that may include physical, emotional, psychological, economic, or sexual abuse, perpetrated by an intimate partner over another, to establish and maintain power and control,” according to the proclamation from the county. “Domestic violence is the major cause of injury to women, resulting in more injuries to women then auto accidents, muggings and rapes combined.”

The courthouse dome is lighted up in purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Ed Morgan, right, presents a commendation to Charlie last week for his volunteer efforts in building new bathrooms at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Robert Batt, the executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, joins for the presentation.

The Legislature praised Ricci “for the extra effort put forth in the construction and completion of building new bathrooms at the Orleans County Cooperative Extension. Your effort is an excellent example of an everyday citizens getting involved.”

Ricci did most of the site work for the project.

This photo from July 16 shows the new bathrooms under construction just before the start of the fair in late July.

The new bathrooms also had four new showers. The new bathrooms and showers are handicapped accessible. There is more space for the users. The bathrooms and showers are now all in one building.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Lee-Whedon Memorial Library Director Kristine Mostyn last week updated Orleans County legislators on an expansion to the Medina library that will add meeting rooms and a “maker space” will be a separate room for some of the programs. County Legislator Bill Eick is in back.

ALBION – The libraries in Orleans Conty are seeking $1 per person in funding from the Conty Legislature. That has been the request in recent years, but the Legislature has kept libraries at $10,087 since 2011.

The four public libraries in Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina are collectively seeking $40,343. The county’s population was 40,343 in the 2020 Census.

One of the library directors, Kristine Mostyn of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, told legislators that libraries have changed to meet the needs of the community, offering more online service, meeting spaces and programs.

“We’re not just a warehouse for books,” she said.

Lee-Whedon has just started a $5 million construction project that will put a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet.

The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There would also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.

Mostyn said the initial projections on the local tax impact have lessened after Lee-Whedon secured grants and raised $360,000 in donations from the community. Lee-Whedon has set a $500,000 fund-raising goal on the capital campaign.

Library leaders from the other libraries are expected to make a presentation next month to the Legislature, seeking for a funding boost.

The county was giving $29,914 to be shared among the four libraries as recently as 2002, but that dropped to $7,480 in 2003. Since then, the amount was raised to $12,587 in 2007, $13,617 in 2010, and then was cut to $10,087 in 2011. It hasn’t changed since then.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) season begins this year on Nov. 3, with a tentative end date of April 7, 2026

Applications for HEAP will be available Nov. 3. Applications for an emergency other than your heating source will be accepted beginning Jan. 2, 2026, through April 7, 2026.

If you are applying for the first time, a phone interview is necessary which can be completed beginning on Nov. 3. Applications will be available at the County Office Building in Albion, PathStone, Community Action, or Ministry of Concern; at the Community Center in Holley; or at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.

You can apply online for HEAP by visiting www.myBenefits.ny.gov.  If you received a benefit through a HEAP case last season you may apply through www.myBenefits.ny.gov or submit your completed application along with necessary documentation to the Department of Social Services, 14016 Rt. 31 W. Albion, NY 14411.

If you are currently a Public Assistance or SNAP recipient, you should automatically receive your HEAP benefit through your case. Please be sure your worker has accurate vendor and account information to prevent a delay with your HEAP grant.

For questions or to set up an appointment call (585) 589-3182. Appointments cannot be made before Nov. 3. If you are aged 60 or older, please call the Office for Aging at 589-3191.

You can find more information about HEAP and other assistance programs by visiting www.myBenefits.ny.gov.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature, in conjunction with the county Youth Bureau, will be hosting its 11th annual “Family Game Night” on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate, located at 165 South Platt St. in Albion.

The event is free, however residents are asked to register in advance as seating is limited.

The event will feature free pizza, board games, prize drawings and other activities and promotions.  There will be several display booths with county departments that will be providing information on various programs and services available to Orleans County families.  Each family will also be given an opportunity to take home a free board game to start their own game night.

“Family Game Night has grown tremendously over the years, as many families love the idea of turning off all the electronic devices and taking part in an evening of old-fashioned fun,” said Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson.  “At the same time, the event helps us highlight important information about the programs, opportunities and services available to residents.”

For more information or to register for the event, click here. Call the Legislative Office at (585) 589-7053 or send an email to Lisa.Stenshorn@orleanscountyny.gov with your name, phone number, address and number of people attending.

Provided photo: Those who attend the class will receive a free disaster preparedness kit.

KNOWLESVILLE – There is still time to register for citizens preparedness class set for this 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Trolley Building of the Cornell Cooperative Extension on Route 31.

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Emergency Management Office in Orleans County is working to educate the community on how to prepare.

The class on Thursday is free, but registration is required – simply to ensure that National Guard can bring enough emergency kits to distribute to those who attend.

The mission of these training classes is to give residents the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible.  The course provides an introduction to responding to natural or man-made disasters.

Participants are advised on how to properly develop family emergency plans and stock up on emergency supplies. Those who attend a class will be given a free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit (one per family) containing key items to assist in the aftermath of a disaster.

“For our community, these classes are extremely beneficial in helping the everyday resident to prepare for the different weather events that impact us,” said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director. “The classes are taught by the Army National Guard and offer a quick synopsis of various events experienced regionally, the impact they had and how individuals and families can take steps to minimize the impacts of similar events in the future.”

To register for the event, visit www.prepare.ny.gov and click on the training calendar to find the event you would like to attend.

Photo courtesy of Orleans County Crime Victim’s Office: Pictured in photo include Holli Nenni, commissioner of DSS; Terra McGaffick, DSS; Judianne Gearing, DSS, Alex Eaton, District Attorney’s Office; Don Draper, undersheriff; James DeFilipps, OCSD chief deputy; Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner of DSS; Susan Howard, district attorney; Dan Punch, first assistant DA; Michelle Werth, Crime Victim coordinator.

Press Release, Orleans County Crime Victim’s Office

ALBION – The Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, Department of Social Services and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department on Monday gathered outside of the Public Safety Building to take part in the National Red Sand Project to help bring awareness to human trafficking and exploitation.

Today, 50 million people worldwide are being trafficked.  Overlooked populations, most at risk of being trafficked, need support to not fall through the metaphoric cracks.  The Red Sand Project fills sidewalk cracks to encourage people to question, connect, and take action against vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking and exploitation.

To learn more, visit www.redsandproject.org.

Photo courtesy of Orleans County: Officials from 18 counties gathered for a group photo after being recognized by New York State Association of Counties for money management. Jack Welch, the Orleans County chief administrative officer, is shown in back row, third from right.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

Orleans County was recognized at this week’s New York State Association of Counties Fall Seminar, held in Niagara Falls, with “cashVest 90+” Award.

This award is given to counties that receive a score of 90 or better for four consecutive quarters on several money management benchmarks. The honor recognizes counties that have taken proactive steps to maximize the value of every public dollar, strategically investing funds to generate new income and help ease the burden on property taxpayers.

“This award is really a testament to the hard work of County Administrator Jack Welch and Treasurer Kim DeFrank to mitigate risk while maximizing return on investment of public dollars that help fund county services,” said Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson.  “At a time when every level of government is faced with tight budgets, their sound fiscal leadership and ability to maximize revenue streams outside of tax dollars is more important now than ever.”

Orleans County was one of 18 counties across the state to receive the honor.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is shining a light on food/beverage businesses in Orleans County with a “Taste of Orleans” promotion at 20 locations.

“We are encouraging people to support local food and beverage establishments here in Orleans County,” said Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director. “We are hoping this social media event will showcase the multitude of wonderful restaurants, bars, farm markets and ice cream shops we have here in Orleans County.”

Taste of Orleans started on Aug. 24 and continues through Sept. 14. The Chamber and co-sponsor Orleans County Tourism encourage people to visit many of the local food/beverage businesses and post pictures of what they are eating and drinking, using the hash tag #tasteoforleans.

The Chamber will draw winners after Sept. 14 for participants to win gift cards from the participating businesses.

The businesses in the promotion include the Black North at Point Breeze, Coffee Pot Cafe in Medina, Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion, Confection Connection in Albion, Gilligan’s Galley in Kent, Mariachi De Oro on Medina, Mark’s Pizzeria and Tapped on Main in Medina, Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Partyka Farms in Kendall, Red, White & Moo in Holley, Roadies Pizzeria in Carlton, Serenity Spa in Albion, Shirt Factory/Newell Lounge in Medina, Sourced Market & Eatery in Medina, Tavern on the Ridge in Albion, Village House in Albion, Webber Cafe in Lyndonville, White Birch in Lyndonville, and Zambistro in Medina.

In the future, Hartway said she would like to see an event where people could taste food from many of the local businesses at one location at a festival. But, for now, she said the social media campaign highlights many of the food and beverage businesses around the county.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

TextMyGov provides information about the county government, and allows residents to report concerns.

ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson urged residents to take advantage of the TextMyGov system that allows people to quickly reach Orleans County government to report issues and access information.

This is a free service and residents just need to text “Hi” to 585-774-4111 to get started.

“We have been running TextMyGov for a few years now and it has proven to be a great way for people to interact with county government,” Johnson said.  “It allows people to skip the phone call and send us a text message to find information and report issues on the go.”

The county’s IT team has been working upgrades and recently rolled out the new and improved system, she said. TextMyGov works through smart technology which identifies keywords in texts to provide immediate assistance and can relay information back to residents to help report an issue.

“Residents can text words like JOBS or DMV to get information or POTHOLE or TRASH to report an issue,” said Johnson.  “The response is very quick and the process is very efficient.”

In addition, Johnson said residents can also opt-in to receive county alerts by texting OCCLOSURE to 91896.

“We have implemented these systems to keep residents better informed and help them interact with county services so I hope people will take just a minute to join,” she said.

Click here to learn more about TextMyGov.

Press Release, Orleans County Youth Bureau

ALBION – Orleans County is accepting applications for New York State Office of Children and Family Services grant funds related to Youth Development Programming (YDP), Youth Team Sports (YTS) and Youth Sports and Education Funding (YSEF).

Funding for the new program year begins Oct. 1, 2025 and continues through Sept. 30, 2026.

Kelly Kiebala, Orleans County Youth Bureau administrator, said there are separate applications and the required documents for each funding source which can be found on our Youth Bureau website (click here).

Programming and/or services must be provided within Orleans County.  Applications are due by Friday, Sept. 26, to OrleansCountyYouthBureau@OrleansCountyNY.gov.

“We are hopeful that youth organizations will pursue these funds and encourage proposers that may have never received funding through the Youth Bureau are encouraged to apply,” Kiebala said.  “We appreciate the great work our youth organizations do to serve our youth and these funds are available to assist them in their programming.”

Those with questions can call 585-589-2767 or email OrleansCountyYouthBureau@orleanscountyny.gov.

Dr. Lamb says GCC has $86 million economic impact in GLOW

Dr. Craig Lamb, president of GCC

ALBION – The president of Genesee Community College said the local college is adapting to changing needs in the community to better prepare students for the workforce and their educational journeys.

Dr. Craig Lamb said GCC has expanded beyond traditional academics to meet workforce development needs. It is offering technology training programs in industrial electric, plumbing, CNC machining, welding, HVAC-R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration).

GCC also has redesigned a two-year associate degree in cybersecurity, which Lamb said prepares students for high-demand careers in digital security.

“These programs are designed to connect students directly to good-paying jobs and support the economic vitality of our region,” he said during a recent presentation to the County Legislature.

Lamb said GCC strives to make college affordable. Tuition and student fees were not increased in 2025-26, he said.

GCC is also part of the SUNY Reconnect program, which opens the door for students ages 25 to 55 to return to college. Eligible students in the select degree programs will have their tuition, fees, books and supplied covered through SUNY Reconnect.  Lamb said the initiative “removes financial barriers and makes college more accessible than ever.”

The GCC programs included in the program include Alcohol & Substance Abuse Studies; Computer Information Systems; Computer Support & Operations; Computerized Drafting & Design; Cybersecurity, Systems and Networking; Health Studies; Liberal Arts & Sciences: Teacher Education Transfer; Nursing; Physical Therapist Assistant; Respiratory Care; and Web Design. Click here for more information.

He noted GCC has a total economic impact of $86.4 million in the GLOW region.

“That includes student spending, workforce development and the ripple effects of ur graduates contributing to local industries,” Lamb said. “GCC is not just an educational institution – it’s an economic engine.”

GCC has a campus center in Medina which is the busiest of the campus centers in GLOW, not including the main campus in Batavia.

The college is eager to partner with the community by supporting local initiatives or developing customized training programs, Lamb told the legislators.

“We are proud to maintain a strong relationship with Orleans County, and we’re always open to new partnerships,” he said.

Treasurer collects taxes for Albion, Lyndonville and Medina

Press Release, Orleans County Treasurer’s Office

ALBION – Orleans County Treasurer Kim DeFrank today said that school tax collection for the Albion, Lyndonville and Medina school districts will begin on Tuesday, September 2.  The Treasurer’s Office will collect and accept US-postmarked payments until Sept. 30 interest-free.

For those paying in person, DeFrank reminded residents that her office relocated last year to 156 South Main St. in Albion.

“Last year was our first tax collection at the new office and people really appreciated how much better parking and building access compared to our old location,” said DeFrank.  “And even better, many people took advantage of the drive-thru window to pay their bills without leaving their cars.”

The Treasurer’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Anyone with questions regarding payment can contact the Treasurer’s Office at 585-589-5353.  The office can accept cash, check and VISA, MasterCard and Discover cards, although credit card payments have an additional fee.

New this year, the office can accept online credit card payments, with an additional fee.  To pay online, go to the county’s website at www.orleanscountyny.gov and click on Treasurer under the departments tab.

Press Release, Orleans County government

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Planning and Development today urged residents to be aware of a scam targeting individuals with active applications submitted to their local town or village that require review by the county Planning Board.

According to Planning and Development Director Corey Winters, individuals are receiving fraudulent emails impersonating county planning officials. The email requests wire transfers, claiming payment is required as part of the planning board’s review process.  The emails appear to be coming from a fake email address planning-commission.OrleansCounty@usa.com

“These scams emails look very official and catch people off guard,” Winters said.  “The important things to remember are that county planning board review is free, no Orleans County office would solicit for wire transfer payments and any email from Orleans County will end with @orleanscountyny.gov.”

Winters said if you are unsure about suspicious emails, you should always contact the government office from which it purportedly came to directly to verity its authenticity.  The Planning Department can be reached at 585-589-3197.