ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Motor Vehicles – along with all DMV offices in the state – will be undergoing a large-scale system upgrade next month that will require the office to be closed and potentially alter our business hours, according to County Clerk Nadine Hanlon.
In February, the New York State DMV is implementing the initial phase of a multi-year project to replace and modernize the aging technology systems. To bring the first part of the new system online, the state is ceasing all DMV operations, including online and phone systems at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 13.
Hanlon said in order to implement the changeover, the Orleans County DMV will close at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 13. Customers who are in line by 12:30 p.m. will be served. However, all DMV operations cease at 2 p.m. The office will remain closed on Presidents Day, Monday February 16 and Tuesday, February 17.
The state DMV’s implementation timeline calls for all offices to be operational and open for customer transactions beginning Wednesday, February 18. Orleans County anticipates opening at 8:30 a.m. on that day provided the state gives the go-ahead. Any changes to this schedule will be posted on the county website at www.orleanscountyny.gov, the Orleans County Facebook page and shared with local media outlets.
“February tends to be a slower time of year for DMV offices across the state so this is the best time to implement the system but we understand this can still be an inconvenience for residents,” Hanlon said. “That is why we are letting people know now, so they can plan accordingly.”
During this time, the state DMV will migrate about 30 million records to the new system and complete the transition to bring the first phase of the upgrade online. Again, no DMV transactions will be able to be completed during this period, including through the state DMV website, and no one will be available to answer phones.
“Our DMV staff have been diligently working through the mandatory training, however, transitioning to and fully understanding a new system takes time,” said Hanlon. “We remain committed to providing efficient and accurate service and we appreciate the public’s understanding during this adjustment period.”
About the DMV system upgrade
New York State DMV has contracted with software company FAST Enterprises, LLC, which has implemented similar systems in more than 20 other states, to help NYS DMV modernize its technology platforms and service delivery in two major stages over the next two years. The new technology will replace and consolidate a significant portion of DMV’s legacy technology, some of which are over 50 years old. The goal of this initiative is to make the DMV more secure, stable, and agile and to provide DMV customers with more efficient, secure, and convenient services.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 January 2026 at 11:58 am
Chart information from NYS Department of Labor. October’s date was combined with November’s due to federal government shutdown in October.
The unemployment rate in Orleans County was at 4.1 percent in November, according to the New York State Department of Labor.
The rate started at 5.1 percent in January and generally decreased until June at 3.3 percent and was then up and down through November. December’s data hasn’t been released yet.
The 4.1 percent is close to neighboring counties:
Orleans, 4.1 percent
Genesee, 3.4 percent
Wyoming, 3.8 percent
Livingston, 3.6 percent
Monroe, 3.9 percent
Niagara, 4.4 percent
Erie, 4.0 percent
Compared to a year earlier n November 2024, Orleans County has 400 more people working – 17,400 in November 2025 versus 17,000 in November 2024. The unemployed is up by 100 from 600 to 700. The unemployment rate increased by 0.7 percent from 3.4 to 4.1 percent.
That 0.7 increase is among highest in state. Six other counties went up by 0.7 percent: Niagara (from 3.7 to 4.4 percent), Chautauqua (3.8 to 4.5 percent), Chenango (3.0 to 3.7 percent), Greene (3.3 to 4.0 percent), Otsego (3.6 to 4.3 percent) and Greene (3.3 to 4.0).
There were two counties at a 0.8 percent increase: Lewis (from 3.3 to 4.1 percent) and Yates (from 2.9 to 3.7 percent).
Delaware County saw the highest at 0.9 percent (3.4 to 4.3 percent). There are 62 counties in the state.
ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson said the county supports the new tax exemption for veterans signed into law by Governor Hochul this past December. The new law exempts qualifying veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability from local property taxes.
“The Orleans County Legislature is fully supportive of legislation that provides benefits like this exemption to those who made tremendous sacrifices for our country,” said Johnson. “Like other counties across the state, we are waiting for guidance from the state over implementation, as things seem to be in flux. But I want to stress is that, to the extent we have any say over this, we will be fighting for our veterans.”
Nikolas Mroz, Director of the county’s Veteran Service Agency, said his team has been in regular contact with state officials and is trying to get clarification for the many veterans who have already called his office.
“We do know that the date for this exemption to be included in the tax roll is October 1 which means it would take effect for 2027 for those who qualify,” said Mroz. “There are around 120 vets in Orleans County who have a 100 percent disability rating and receive the current tax exemption, and based on the criteria in this new law, they may or may not qualify for the new exemption. But this situation is fluid and there could be changes.”
Mroz encouraged any veterans with questions to call his office at 585-589-5219.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2026 at 8:31 pm
26 class members will learn about different sectors of county throughout 2026
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Leadership Orleans Class of 2026 kicked off its year of exploration in Orleans County with an opening day retreat today at Fairhaven Inn.
Pictured, front row, from left: Patti Doyle, Ashley Sutherland, Meghan Bevins, Jenai Walker, Krista Dhow and Will Gregoire.
Second row: Pam Wadhams, Ciara Silversmith, Hana Robinson, Rachel Frasier, Darelyn Songer and Brandon Smith.
Third row: Brett Sobieraski, Geen Henry, Lisa Elschker, Susan Thaine and Dr. Taweepon Farrar.
Back row: Sara Flansburg, Jake Weller, Terry Kingdollar, Tim Smith, Gabriella Bottorff, Timothy Dunham, Craig Lane and Chris Hughes. (Missing from photo: Valerie Wells and Amy Crandall.)
Skip Helfrich, executive director of Leadership Orleans since the program started in 2018, discusses different leadership styles during the opening retreat today.
Some of those styles in the “DISC” profile include dominant controller, cautious analytical, influencing promoter, and steadfast supporter.
The “dominant controller” tend to be very determined and decisive, and “results oriented,” Helfrich said, and are often CEOs, entrepreneurs and people who excel at sales.
The “cautious analytical” are very thorough and organized and are often engineers and accountants.
The “influencing promoter” bring lots of ideas and energy and are often politicians, artists and debaters, Helfrich said.
A “steadfast supporter” is a team player and collaborator, often people who excel in human resources, service jobs and as union reps.
Each of the class members did a DISC profile to see where they landed. Helfrich discussed how the different types of people can often clash, and often help each other when they appreciate their different skill sets and styles.
Fairhaven Inn hosted the opening retreat which continues on Friday. This is the ninth class of Leadership Orleans. In the first eight years, 203 people graduated from the program.
The new class of 26 members will spend a year learning about the county and themselves.
The class represents several sectors in the community, including agriculture, education, human services, government, business, a church and volunteerism.
The program aims to build the “citizen capital” of the community, helping develop leaders who are educated on the many facets of the community.
The class will meet monthly, building leadership skills and gaining knowledge, experiences and meeting people from many different sectors in the community. The class will spend different days focused on agriculture, non-profit organizations, government services, small and larger businesses, law enforcement, tourism, arts and culture, community health and economic development.
The group typically visits about 40 sites around the county and hears from about 50 presenters.
The program receives a stipend from the county, and there are many sponsors of programs throughout the years. The class members also pay tuition to be in Leadership Orleans.
This year’s class members include:
Meghan Bevins, assistant director of Orleans County Office for the Aging in Albion
Gabriella Bottorff, food safety coordinator for Lake Ontario Fruit in Albion
Amy Crandall, assistant vice president Generations Bank in Medina
Patti Doyle, art engagement director for GO Art! in Batavia
Krista Duhow, learning coordinator at Medina Central School
Timothy Dunham, executive director of human resources at Orleans/Niagara BOCES
Lisa Elschker, human resource generalist at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
Dr. Taweepon Farrar, district superintendent for Niagara/Orleans BOCES
Sara Flansburg, owner of Blissett’s Specialty Shop in Medina
Rachel Frasier, executive assistant for Western New Energy in Medina
Will Gregoire, mechanical engineer for Udderways in Albion
Geen Henry, assistant director of prevention for UConnectCare in Albion
Chris Hughes, director of district wellness at Medina Central School
Terry Kingdollar, family support specialist at Arc GLOW in Albion
Craig Lane, commissioner of public works for Orleans County
Hana Robinson, founder of World Life Adventures in Albion
Ciarra Silversmith, clinic manager at Orleans Community Health in Albion
Brandon Smith, loan officer at Farm Credit East in Batavia
Tim Smith, senior principal engineer at Baxter Medical in Medina
Brett Sobieraski, investigator for District Attorney’s Office in Albion
Darelyn Songer, secretary to Orleans County chief administrative officer
Ashley Sutherland, branch manager for M&T Bank in Lyndonville
Susan Thaine, pastor for First Presbyterian Church of Albion
Pam Wadhams, director of Headstart for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Janei Walker, HR manager at Baxter Healthcare in Medina
Jake Weller, network engineer for Info Advantage in Rochester
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 January 2026 at 8:21 pm
Johnson has led the seven-member Legislature the past 8 years
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Lynne Johnson presides over today’s Orleans County Legislature meeting after she was elected by the seven-member Legislature to serve another term as chairman. Lisa Stenshorn, clerk to the Legislature, is at right.
Johnson has led the body the past eight years, serving four two-year terms.
The current term will only be for one year, after the state changed the legislators’ terms from two to one year so the legislators will be up for election on even years instead of odd years. That one-year term will only be for 2026, and then legislators will be back to two-year election cycles.
Orleans County legislators take the oath of office this afternoon in the Legislature’s chambers at the County Office Building. County Court Judge Sanford Church administered the oath to from left: Legislature Clerk Lisa Stenshorn, Legislator Bill Eick, Legislator Don Allport, Legislator Ed Morgan, Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson (with daughter Clancy next to her), Legislator Fred Miller (with wife Betty Sue Miller in back), Legislator John Fitzak and Legislator Skip Draper.
Lynne Johnson of the town of Yates had unanimous support among the legislators to continue as chairman. She has been on the Legislature for 18 years.
Legislator Ed Morgan praised her for keeping all the legislators informed and welcoming their input.
“She keeps us all involved,” said Morgan, a Murray resident. “She listens. She doesn’t make decisions on her own.”
Legislator Don Allport commended both Johnson and Bill Eick, the Legislature vice chairman, for their time and effort in leading the county government.
Bill Eick signs the oath of office book. Legislator Don Allport is at left and County Clerk Nadine Hanlon is at right.
Eick of Shelby was re-elected to serve as vice chairman of the Legislature. Eick just completed 20 years on the Legislature, and previously was a Shelby town councilman.
He is a retired dairy farmer who also worked at Western New York Energy. Johnson praised his experience, and the contributions from all seven legislators.
“We argue and share our opinions, and then we all walk out the door as friends,” Johnson said. “Everyone has their own voice.”
Johnson said she spends three to five days a week in the office, but there are also many other phone calls and emails. She said it is an honor to represent the county at ceremonies, events and funerals for veterans.
This year the county expects to break ground on a new facility for the Emergency Management Office and Johnson said a countywide study of fire/EMS services should help guide how those services are provided in the future.
During today’s organizational meeting, the Legislature also:
Reappointed Lisa Stenshorn as clerk to the Legislature.
Reappointed Kathy Bogan as county attorney.
Set the salaries for legislators at $13,886 for the year, with the vice chairman at $15,750 and the chairman at $20,829.
Designated The Daily News of Batavia as the official newspaper for legal notices.
Designated Don Allport the majority leader of the Republicans and Fred Miller the minority leader for Democrats. Miller is the lone Democrat on the Legislature.
Kim DeFrank takes the oath for a new term as county treasurer. She has been in the role the last eight years. Her husband, Glenn, holds the Bible.
Judge Church also administered the oath of office to Jesse Cudzilo, a new councilman for the Town of Ridgeway.
Bill Jurinich, a new Yates councilman, takes the oath while his fiancé, Patti Bower, holds the Bible.
ALBION – Orleans County Chief Administrative Office Jack Welch said the 2026 garbage and recycling calendar from Modern Disposal Services should have been received by residents over the last week.
Anyone who has not received it can visit the county website by clicking here. That same website also has information on acceptable items, tips for collections and contact information for any issues.
Service will be interrupted and delayed by a day on New Years, Jan. 1; Memorial Day, May 25; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, Sept. 7; Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26; and Christmas, Dec. 25.
Provided photo: A new class has completed the Microenterprise Assistance Program through the Orleans EDA. A new class will start in the spring. Pictured from left include Michael Hughson, Peter Poodry and Kim Poodry, Carolyn Odalovic, Dawn Hungerford, Maggie Olles, Becky Harris, Stacy Buckland, Kimberly Haight and Timothy Seibert.
Press Release, Orleans Economic Development Agency
ALBION – The Orleans County Local Development Corporation celebrated the graduation of 10 entrepreneurs from its Fall 2025 Microenterprise Assistance Program on Oct. 30, marking another successful cohort in the program’s 26-year history of fostering small business growth in rural Western New York.
The graduating class represents a diverse cross-section of Orleans County’s entrepreneurial landscape, spanning industries including landscaping, property maintenance, welding and fabrication arts, professional dog training, hospitality and tourism, massage therapy, specialty food production, and 3D design services.
The Fall 2025 MAP graduates include:
Michael Hughson, Certified Dog Trainer
Peter Poodry and Kim Poodry, Riverview Campground
Carolyn Odalovic, 3-D Inspirational Designs
Dawn Hungerford, Dust and Rust Fabrication
Maggie Olles, Long Bridge Greenery
Becky Harris, Confection Connection
Stacy Buckland, Massage Therapist
Kimberly Haight and Timothy Seibert, Orleans Heating-Cooling and Property Maintenance
“This was an excellent mix of different types of businesses at varying levels of experience, which always makes for interesting course discussions and learning experiences,” said MAP Program Manager Matt Holland. “I am excited to watch these businesses develop into their next phases.”
The comprehensive 10-week program provides participants with essential business education, covering accounting fundamentals, banking relationships, business plan development, marketing strategies, legal requirements, taxation, pricing strategies, and financial management. Expert instruction is delivered by seasoned professionals from the Small Business Development Centers in Niagara and Brockport, along with local business mentors.
By program completion, each participant develops a comprehensive business plan that serves as a roadmap for growth and a critical document for accessing capital. Graduating from MAP is a prerequisite for applying to the OCLDC Microenterprise Grant Program, which awards between $10,000 and $35,000 to qualifying Orleans County-based entrepreneurs.
Program Impact
Since its establishment in 1999, the Orleans County MAP has graduated over 570 individuals, with more than 200 successfully launching businesses throughout the county. The program is funded through a combination of New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and OCLDC resources, reflecting a commitment to building sustainable economic opportunities in rural communities.
The initiative addresses a critical need for entrepreneurial support in communities under 50,000 population, providing access to business education, technical assistance, and capital resources that are often unavailable in rural areas. The program specifically supports microenterprises – businesses with five or fewer employees – which form the backbone of the local economy.
Spring 2026 Program
The next MAP cohort will begin in April 2026, with applications opening in mid February. The course fee is $300, with financial aid available for qualifying applicants based on demonstrated need. Prospective entrepreneurs aged 18 and older who maintain a permanent residence or business in Orleans County are encouraged to apply. Applications will be available in early 2026.
For more information about the Microenterprise Assistance Program, grant eligibility requirements, or to schedule an informational interview, contact Matt Holland at mholland@orleansdevelopment.org or call (585) 589-7060 ext. 1.
More 200 social media posts, TikTok videos and many appearances
Photo by Brenda Tremblay: In one of his boldest outings, Orly the Ox went kayaking on Glenwood Lake and made it close to the Medina Waterfalls on Aug. 18. He met up with the Buffalo Paddle People, a kayaking group that goes to sites all over WNY. Orleans County is popular with kayakers, especially the Oak Orchard Creek and Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.
Photo by Isabella Zasa: Orly the Ox made it to the top of the Mount Albion Tower in one of his journeys in Orleans County in 2025. Orly had more than 200 social media posts on Facebook and Instagram about local historical sites, notable residents of the past and local attractions. Orly also went kayaking, hydro-biking, skateboarding and tackled many adventures in Orleans County during all four seasons. Orly also is featured on about 200 TikTok videos.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub contributor
ALBION – Orly the Ox has completed a busy year promoting Orleans County, highlighting interesting people, places and things in the community.
Isabella Zasa and Tom Rivers were the driving force behind Orly’s adventures in 2025. Zasa works as a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department. Rivers is the Orleans Hub editor. Both are members of the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee.
The committee picked an ox as a mascot for the county to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2025. Oxen were critical in transporting early settlers across rough terrain. The oxen helped clear land and plow fields. They are somewhat underappreciated for their important role with the early settlers.
The committee wanted to recognize the oxen and acknowledge their link to the pioneers. The group also decided to have an ox in costume as a fun way to promote the bicentennial.
“Orly” was initially intended to just appear in Medina’s Parade of Lights in 2024, walking in front of the Bicentennial Committee’s float that included an ox statue. But Orly was popular along the parade route. (Lucy Rivers, the daughter of Tom Rivers, wore the costume in that parade with her sister Cordelia following up at Albion’s lighted parade in December 2024.)
Orly’s look was created by Robyn Watts of Medina, who makes many of the costumes for the Medina musical products and also for Lake Plains Players. She gave Orly a vest with all 10 towns, four villages and some of the hamlets. She also embroidered some of the early names – Newport for Albion and Saltport for Holley.
Zasa noticed how Oswego County uses a character, Ozzy the Elf, to highlight sites in that county. She suggested an ox be used to showcase places in Orleans County. Orly was activated last January for the task, and he kept up a busy pace, with at least five social media posts a week.
Zasa and Tom Rivers worked as team on the social media posts. They would share the duties of wearing the costume, taking the photos and writing the blurbs.
Zasa put together an active social media presence for Orly on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Tourism’s Facebook followers have nearly doubled in the past year from 2,300 to 4,500 and many of the Orly posts get hundreds of likes.
Catherine Cooper, Orleans County’s historian, loves Orly and said he has helped the community better understand local history.
“Orly’s delight in exploring the treasures of Orleans County is infectious,” Cooper said.
Zasa said the Orly posts connected with many in the public, who enjoyed the authentic storytelling over AI-generated content.
“We covered the bigger attractions and hit the smaller niche things,” she said. “It was to promote the county in a fun way.”
Photos by Marsha Rivers: (Left) Isabella Zasa, a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department, takes a picture of Orly on West State Street in Albion by the historical marker for Grace Bedell, an Albion native who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, urging him to grow a beard during the presidential campaign in 1860. Lincoln took her advice. Bedell, 11 at the time, was living in Westfield at the time when she sent the letter. (Right) Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, takes a photo of Orly holding a cake with “200” with the Orleans County Courthouse in the background. This was right before the April 15 anniversary of when Orleans County was officially recognized by the State legislature as its own county, after splitting off from Genesee County. Rivers and Zasa took most of the Orly photos and wrote the features about him in 2025. They also took turns wearing the Orly costume throughout the year.
Orly picked up fans outside of the county, too. The NYS Canal Corp. often would like and share his social media posts and invited Orly to the bicentennial celebration to kick off the 200th anniversary of the canal season, a ceremony that was cancelled due to flooding on the eastern end of the canal.
Zasa said Orly helped people learn about the county, with people from other towns seeing assets that didn’t realize. The post about Orly climbing Mount Albion Tower included comments from people in Medina who didn’t realize there was a 68-foot-high tower in the back of the cemetery.
Rivers has worked as a local reporter for nearly 30 years now. He has done features about many of the local sites over the years. He saw the Orly features as a challenge to see how well he knew the community. He was also able to draw on historical columns from Catherine Cooper and past county historians, Matt Ballard and Bill Lattin.
Another way the community got to connect with Orly was via the Flat Orly challenge, where people could color printouts and take him on an adventure, snapping a commemorative photo. Flat Orly was featured in New York City, Iowa and other states. These photos were featured on Orly’s social media pages.
Orly was named the Grand Marshall of Albion’s Strawberry Festival. He also attended the Lyndonville parade, Barre tractor parade, and the Albion Christmas parade.
Orly was intended to be a 2025 phenomenon, and then head to retirement. But Rivers and Zasa said Orly is much loved by many people who would be sad if he went away.
They concocted a storyline were Orly meets up with a long-lost brother, Scout, and the two will work together in 2026, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA.
Zasa and Rivers also want to make a book of Orly’s 2025 adventures, an effort that will be a fundraiser for the Cobblestone Museum.
Click here to see Tourism’s Facebook page to see more of Orly’s adventures.
Photo by Isabella Zara: Orly the Ox ended his active year of 2025 by being reunited with his brother Scout at Welker Farms on Sanderson Road in Shelby. Scout was added to the storyline for Orly, giving him a brother as a partner in 2026 to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country. Robyn Watts made both of these ox costumes. Orly has a vest with the names of towns, villages and some of the hamlets in Orleans County. Scout has a more patriotic themed vest.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2025 at 5:31 pm
Photo courtesy of Marsha Rivers: A fallen tree lies on a road at the Carlton Town Park this morning. Many trees were knocked down from the powerful winds.
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke rescinded a travel advisory, effective at 3 p.m. today. That advisory had been in place more than 24 hours since early Monday afternoon.
An advisory isn’t a ban but discourages from unnecessary driving.
“We continue to experience some wind and snow creating winter driving conditions,” Bourke said. “National Grid would like residents to know that they continue to restore power in treacherous conditions and to stay safe and avoid any downed wires. Please report an outage to National Grid.”
The sheriff said the 911 center has been very busy with storm-related calls since Monday morning.
From 5 a.m. Monday to 12:30 p.m. today, dispatchers handled 159 weather-related calls included 62 for trees down; 23 for wires down; 4 for wires arcing; 1 for pole down; 13 for water problems; 32 to notify highway departments for tree removal; and 24 to utility companies when a fire department wasn’t needed.
There were 19 additional medical calls during this time, Bourke said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2025 at 7:50 am
Provided photo: A big tree fell across Route 31 in Albion on Monday evening. This tree was on the north side of Route 31 and fell near Mount Albion Cemetery.
About 10 percent of the National Grid customers in Orleans County are without electricity this morning.
National Grid reports that as of 7:35 this morning 1,973 of its customers in Orleans County (out of 19,724) are without electricity. The power was knocked out on Monday from the high winds taking down wires, trees and branches.
In Western New York, Orleans is one of the hardest hit by outages.
Other counties with outages served by National Grid include:
Cattaraugus: 830 without power out of 32,268 customers
Chautauqua: 73 out of 41,420
Erie: 2,248 out of 288,213
Genesee: 628 out of 27,513
Monroe: 399 out of 21,809
Niagara: 1,573 out of 83,683
Wyoming: 114 out of 3,608
Travel advisories are in effect for Orleans, Genesee, Erie and Wyoming counties with the sheriffs in those counties recommending no unnecessary travel.
