Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County legislator Skip Draper, right, congratulates Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke for receiving the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award. It was presented April 28 by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, STOP–DWI and The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Bourke was recognized during the Orleans County legislature meeting on Tuesday and was joined by chief deputies Jim DeFilipps, left, and Torry Tooley.

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke has received a state-wide award for his efforts over many years to reduce drunk driving and keep the roads safer in Orleans County.

Bourke on April 28 received the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award, which was created in honor of Suffolk County special assistant district attorney.

Bourke arrested many drunk drivers on the road patrol as a deputy sheriff, including working on the night shift earlier in his 40-year career.

In the past six-plus years as the sheriff, he led the Sheriff’s Office to implement and expand drunk and impaired driving community outreach by obtaining the agency’s first DWI simulator, expanding community outreach into local schools, and increased Sheriff’s Office participation in prom season DWI simulations at schools.

These students from Lyndonville and Medina tried to steer pedal cars while wearing goggles that showed what is what like to have your vision affected by alcohol intoxicated or marijuana. The Sheriff’s Office had the pedal cars and googles available on May 12 as part of a mock DWI crash simulation today at the Ridgeway fire hall parking lot.

Under Bourke’s leadership, all eligible road patrol personnel have obtained training in ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) to help identify impairment from drugs and alcohol. The training is hosted by the Sheriff’s Office and made available to other agencies within Orleans County.

Bourke also made a commitment to re-establishing the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Drug Recognition Expert Program. For many years, the Sheriff’s Office didn’t have a certified drug recognition expert, but has added two in the past two years.

Under Sheriff Bourke’s commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has experienced a 150% increase in DWI arrests from 2021 to 2025, going from 22 to 55.

Bourke started his career at the Sheriff’s Office as a correction officer, and then a road patrol deputy, lieutenant and K9 officer and undersheriff.

“Throughout his forty plus year career with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bourke’s rank has changed, his roles have changed, but what has not changed is his commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement,” said Lt. James White, who nominated Bourke for the state-wide award.

Orleans County treasurer served as president of state-wide association

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Kim DeFrank, the Orleans County treasurer, is congratulated by County Legislator John Fitzak after she was honored as the County Finance Official of the Year.

She received that award on May 21 in Glens Falls. She was honored by the New York State County Treasurers’ and Finance Officers’ Association. DeFrank served as president of the association in 2025.

DeFrank has been the county treasurer since 2018. She has worked in the county treasurer’s office for 32 years.

The association of county treasurers and finance officials meets four times a year, and had its summer conference in Batavia when DeFrank was president.

She said the statewide association provides a network of knowledge from other treasurers and finance officers around the state from counties of all sizes.

The association praised DeFrank for her “service and leadership to the association and for dedication to issues of importance to New York State County Finance Officials.”

LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Youth Bureau will have its 44^th annual youth recognition banquet next week on June 3 and will be honoring 11 youths, while also presenting awards to adults who make a difference with kids.

The event will be June 3 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the program starting at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $25 and reservations are due today.

“For more than four decades, Orleans County each year has recognized amazing young people who are doing some extraordinary work in support of our community,” said Kelly Kiebala, Youth Bureau administrator.  “Celebrating young people for their service doesn’t just honor what they’ve done, it sends a powerful message that leadership begins with helping others.”

The 2026 Youth Recognition Awards honor those young people who have performed outstanding service for our community and/or have assumed an extraordinary role within their families by helping to support themselves.

Receiving awards are: Neveya Barnes, Isabella Bresett, Elizibeth Conner, Izabella Garcia, Nora Lindsay, Colton Smith, Logan Callara, Krysta Laitenberger, Maya Tatar, Winter English and Madison Hults.

In addition to the youth recognition awards, Jami Allport will receive the Helen Brinsmaid Award, given to an Orleans County youth-serving professional, in a paid position, whose work surpasses normal expectations. Allport is a cheerleading coach at Albion and the executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.

Jonathan and Brie Trembley of Albion will receive the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award, presented to adults who serve the youth of Orleans County in a volunteer setting.

The Trembleys are youth leaders at the East Shelby Community Bible Church, 4-H club leaders for the Cornell Cooperative Extension and work with the Albion marching band.

To make a reservation or for questions, please call 585-589-2767 or email OrleansCountyYouthBureau@OrleansCountyNY.gov.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

Provided photos: Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke is joined by his wife Suzanne in accepting an award on April 28 in Albany.

ALBANY – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) New York, STOP–DWI and The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee hosted their Annual Law Enforcement Recognition Event on April 28 at the Albany Capital Center.

The Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award was created in honor of Suffolk County Special Assistant District Attorney Maureen McCormick in 2022. These awards recognize the contribution for the lifetime commitment to keeping the roads of New York safe and for protecting our communities from the 100% preventable crimes of drunk and impaired driving.

The 2026 Maureen McCormick Leader of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Christopher M. Bourke.

Sheriff Bourke has committed over 40 years of service to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, serving as a Corrections Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant, and Undersheriff before being elected Sheriff of Orleans County.

During his time as a Deputy Sheriff and Lieutenant, Sheriff Bourke was known and respected as being proactive in impaired driving enforcement, routinely making DWI arrests.

During his time as Undersheriff from 2016 to 2020, Sheriff Bourke led efforts within the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to implement and expand drunk and impaired driving community outreach. Some examples include Sheriff Bourke obtaining the agency’s first DWI simulator, expanding community outreach into local schools, increased sheriff’s office participation in prom season DWI simulations, and more.

Chris Bourke accepts the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award for his 40-plus year career in law enforcement and drunk driving enforcement.

Since being elected Sheriff, Sheriff Bourke has continued his commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement—the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with DRE Instructors and hosted an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving class. In addition to numerous sheriff’s office personnel attending this course, it was also made available to other agencies within Orleans County. This training was the direct result of Sheriff Bourke’s personal mission to expand impaired driving enforcement training within Orleans County.

The Sheriff’s Office recently acquired the most updated DWI Simulator on the market, to more effectively educate young people about the consequences of drunk and impaired driving. Additionally, Sheriff Bourke made a commitment to re-establishing the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Drug Recognition Expert Program.

For many years, the sheriff’s office did not have any certified Drug Recognition Experts. Since re-establishing the program, the sheriff’s office has added two certified Drug Recognition Experts in the past two years. Under Sheriff Bourke’s leadership, there has been a 150 percent increase in DWI arrest by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office over the past four years.

Throughout his 40-plus year career with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bourke’s rank has changed, his roles have changed, but what has not changed is his commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Thaddeus Nauden receives congratulations from Melissa Blanar and a proclamation from Assemblyman Stephen Hawley after being selected by the OFA office staff as “Volunteer of the Year.”

KNOWLESVILLE – Seniors from across Orleans County filled the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Friday to celebrate the annual Senior Jubilee and recognize three outstanding volunteers.

The morning began with introduction of Orleans County Office for the Aging staff by director Melissa Blanar. They are Meghan Bevins, assistant director; Samantha Koons, Becky Karls, Kathleen Bates, Cierra Tiede, Jacklyn Taylor, Lisa Boyle and Eileen Ryan.

OFA Advisory Council members present were Diane Daum, David Gaudioso and Leanne Donovan. Also introduced were Kelly Anstey from the Arc GLOW Nutrition Program; Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Skip Draper on behalf of Senator Rob Ortt; Legislator John Fitzak, who shared a proclamation for Older Americans Month; and the county’s chief administrative officer, Jack Welch.

Next, entertainment was presented by the Holley Junior-Senior Select Choir, directed by Kelly Marzano and accompanied by senior Jax Dyson. Soloist was Isla Schultz, a junior. Dyson was also featured with electric guitarist Aidan Kelley, a junior.

(Left) Melissa Blanar, director of the Orleans County Office for the Aging, smiles as Outstanding Older Adult of the Year nominee Annette Grillo-Finch gets a kiss from Assemblyman Stephen Hawley during the annual Senior Jubilee at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Friday. (Right) Jean Wetherbee, center, of Medina is congratulated by Melissa Blanar and presented with a proclamation from Assemblyman Stephen Hawley as the OFA’s nomination for Outstanding Older Adult of the Year.

Each year the State Office for the Aging requests nominations for a representative for the Outstanding Older Adult Award to represent each county in Albany, said Orleans County Office for the Aging director Melissa Blanar.

Two individuals were nominated for the award – Jean Wetherbee of Medina and Annette Grillo-Finch of Albion.

Wetherbee was nominated by Jeanne Crane, who said Wetherbee has volunteered for 33 years at Medina Memorial Hospital, where she helps with filing. She volunteers at the Senior Center in Medina, where she is treasurer, helps run euchre games and assists with preparing meals for their monthly luncheon. She was a TWIG volunteer for many years and provides transportation to help individuals get to medical appointments. Married to husband David for 67 years and the mother of three children, she has traveled the world and enjoys playing euchre and Liverpool.

She is always the first to offer help in her community, Crane wrote. Wetherbee is dedicated to her church, supporting all its function. She said volunteering keeps her active.

“I was speechless when they called to tell me I had been nominated,” Wetherbee said. “It is a joy to help and assist other people.”

Jax Dyson played the keyboard, while Kelly Marzano, right, directed the Holley Junior-Senior Select Choir during the Senior Jubilee Friday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair’s Trolley Building.

Annette Grillo-Finch is the second nominee, who took the microphone and declared, “I am battling two kinds of cancer, but it will not stop me. I will continue to volunteer.”

Grillo-Finch retired as director of community services at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee after more than 40 years of service. During that time she was honored as The Salvation Army Volunteer of the Year, the Rosemary Fleming Memorial Award presented by the New York Community Action Association, Orleans Chamber of Commerce Award for Community Service, Local American Legion Award for Continued Service and the New York Senate’s “Woman of Distinction” in Albany in 2017.

Organizations which she has dedicated her time to for more than 50 years to the Village of Albion Recreation Committee also has served on the Albion Grievance Committee, Social Justice Committee, Hospice board, Albion Woman’s Prison board, treasurer of The Salvation Army for more than 40 years, the Bereavement committee for Holy Family Church, Job Corps and the Albion Hometown Christmas Parade.

“What I do is not for recognition or awards,” Grillo-Finch said. “I do it from my heart to better families, children and older adults and individuals with disabilities. You feel the satisfaction of helping others, by even doing the smallest act of kindness. The world can use some kindness, so do what you can, where you can and with what you have.”

Aidan Kelly on the electric guitar and Jax Dyson on keyboard play a special duet for seniors at the Senior Jubilee Friday.

One other senior was chosen by OFA office staff as their Volunteer of the Year. That was Thaddeus Nauden, who dedicates his time to the OFA Advisory Council. The council meets bi-monthly and advises on activities, planning, budgeting, outreach for seniors and services for older adults in Orleans County. Terms are for three years, with the ability to seek another three-year term.

Nauden has served the two terms, took a year off and recently completed another two terms, for a total of 12 years. He has served as vice chair and chair of the Council over the years. He has a passion for assisting older adults in the community, Blanar said.

Wetherbee and Grillo-Finch will travel to Albany later this month, where one senior will be announced as the NYS Adult Volunteer of the Year.

Friday’s celebration concluded with lunch by Nutrifair, under the leadership of Nutrition Program coordinator Vicki Havholm.