Photo by Ginny Kropf: Owner of The Walsh Rollin Hellner, right, and his girlfriend Mary Flores pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus during a free toy giveaway to 200 children on Sunday.

MEDINA – The Walsh on Sunday continued what owner Rollin Hellner hopes will be an annual tradition of giving away free toys to children.

Hellner started the giveaway last year at the West Avenue establishment and it was so successful he decided to do it again.

“I want to give back to my community,” Hellner said. “I felt this was something the community needed. I also gave out 100 meals last month, and last year I gave business owners gift certificates for a meal.”

In addition, Hellner said he planned to give his profits from The Walsh to the Medina community.

Hellner said the toy giveaway was very popular.

“We had 75 kids in the first half hour, and 150 by 11:30 a.m.,” he said.

Also on hand were Santa and Mrs. Claus, who met with children and posed for pictures.

Jim Dunn and Nichole Penner of Medina were one of the families who brought their children, Jace, 6; Ricky, 4; and Maci, 2. The children eagerly scampered between Santa’s lap and the tables full of toys, where they each got to choose one.

Hellner said any toys left over he would likely donate to MAAC toward their Christmas giveaway.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

ALBION – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will be holding their Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC) Quarterly Meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Orleans County Health Department (14016 State Route 31, Suite 101, Albion, NY 14411). Refreshments will be provided.

The LEICC is a supportive group made up of county officials, early intervention providers, childcare providers, parents of children with disabilities and other community members.

The goal of the LEICC is to afford the opportunity for parents and other members to voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention Program and to work together to improve the program.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are encouraging parents to attend and to offer input as to how we can best meet the needs of all infants and toddlers in our local communities.

For zoom connection information or for more information on the meeting, please contact Deborah Krenzer-Lewter, Director of Children with Special Needs, at 585-344-2580 ext. 5572 or 585-589-2777.

Provided photo: The Holley Rotary Club organizes Wreaths Across America at Hillside Cemetery. Some of the volunteers are shown at a veterans’ memorial at the cemetery last year. The memorial includes five granite etched stones for the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. The memorial has a pentagon-shaped concrete base and a 25-foot flagpole.

HOLLEY – There will be a Wreaths Across America ceremony for the third consecutive year on Saturday at Hillside Cemetery.

Volunteers will then place 300 wreaths at the graves of veterans. The effort is organized by the Holley Rotary Club with donations from the community and the Rotary Club. The wreaths are up from 250 last year, and 200 in the first year – 2023.

There will also be Wreaths Across America ceremonies at noon in Orleans County at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina, Mount Albion Cemetery in Albion, and Lynhaven Cemetery in Lyndonville.

Boxwood will host noon ceremony before volunteers place wreaths there and at other cemeteries

Photo courtesy of Jacob Hebdon: Lance Corporal Nick Fitzak carries one of the wreaths during a ceremony at Wreaths Across America on Dec. 14, 2024. Medina has participated in the event each year since 2013.

MEDINA – The Medina community will be placing about 1,200 wreaths at veterans’ graves on Saturday for the Wreaths Across America observance.

Wreaths Across America has grown in Orleans County since Medina was the first to do it at Boxwood Cemetery in 2013. Lyndonville, Albion and Holley also have joined the effort.

Medina started with seven wreaths in 2013 at Boxwood. On Saturday the wreaths will be placed at vets’ graves at Boxwood, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sacred Heart Cemetery and Bates Road Cemetery. If there are enough wreaths, some will also be placed at Tanner Cemetery on Telegraph Road and perhaps other local cemeteries.

There will be a ceremony at noon at Boxwood before the volunteers set out on the task of setting the wreaths at gravesites for veterans.

Taxes increase 2.6 percent, but that’s within county’s allowable limit

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Legislature last week held a public hearing on the county’s $100,261,320 budget for 2026. From left include Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer and budget officer; Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the County Legislature; and Lisa Stenshorn, clerk of the legislature.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has unanimously approved the 2026 budget, a $100,261,320 spending plan that increases taxes by 2.6 percent.

That is under the county’s allowable tax levy limit. The levy will increase by $500,000 in 2026 – from $19,639,000 to $20,139,000. The county’s allowable limit is an increase of $623,787. The tax rate will go up 14 cents from $7.91 to $8.05 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The budget tops $100 million for the first time. Spending is up 1.18 percent from the $99,092,747 in 2025 to $100,261,320.

County officials said the budget faced pressure from two significant increases: retirement contributions and the costs of a mental health program for people deemed unfit to stand trial.

Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, thanked Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch and County Treasurer Kim DeFrank for their work on the budget.

Jack Welch, the chief administrative officer, said two big expenses, pension contributions and a mental health law 730.30, strained the budget for 2026.

“This has been a particularly challenging year and the fact that we continued to stay under the property tax cap is a testament to the hard work and creativity of Jack, Kim and all of our department heads,” Johnson said during a budget hearing on Dec. 3.

The budget also faces a 20.8 percent increase in New York State retirement costs due to a lower stock market evaluation on March 31, 2025, as well as some employees earning more money from longer work weeks – 35 to 40 hours, Welch said.

The county’s bill for retirement costs will be up $786,267 in 2026. The retirement costs are one of the nine state mandated programs which now account of 115 percent of the tax levy, Welch said.

The other big increase for the county: Mental Health Law Expense 730.30, where people deemed unfit to stand trial are committed to a facility. That can cost $30,000 to $50,000 a month per person.

The “730” expense went from $57,000 in 2023 to $367,000 in 2024 (with $50,000 budgeted). This year the budget was increased to $550,000 but the county has already spent over $1.8 million. The budgeted amount for 2026 is $1.5 million.

The cost used to be a 50-50 split with the state, but the state made it a 100 percent county expense.

“Orleans County and its taxpayers have no more capacity left to continue with these drastic increases. New York State must address this and do it now,” Johnson said.

The county was able to stay under the tax cap despite the big increases in retirement contributions and the “730” costs through other cost savings and revenue growth.

The county is moving its health insurance and medical coverage from Highmark to NYSHIP’s Empire Plan, which will reduce those costs by 6 percent.

The county also is projecting a $1.6 million increase in the local sales tax revenue. This year the sales tax receipts have been strong, nearly 9 percent ahead of 2024.

Welch said the budget maintains core county services and programs “in the most cost-effective manner possible, complies with the New York State property tax cap and provides funding for prioritized projects and programs while avoiding fiscal stress.”

Welch and Johnson both said the county budget remains driven by state-mandated programs.

The nine mandated programs used to account for 90 percent of the overall tax levy. With the 12026 budget, those mandates now account for $23,196,803 or 115.2 percent of the tax levy, Welch said.

9 state-mandated programs:

• Medicaid – $8,810,237 (down 0.3 percent)
• Public assistance/Safety Net – $3,169,135 (up 6.5 percent)
• Child welfare/protection – $2,321,194 (up 2.7 percent)
• Special education – $1,042,878 (up 3.5 percent)
• Indigent defense – $605,188 (down 19.2 percent)
• Probation – $830,723 (up 19.6 percent)
• Mental Health law expense 730.30 – $1.5 million (up 272.7 percent)
• Early intervention – $360,258 (up 13.0 percent)
• Pension – $4,557,190 (up 20.8 percent)

Total: $23,196,803 (up 10.1 percent)

Welch said the budget also maintains funding to local municipalities (sales tax sharing, community college local expense, animal control, vehicle and traffic prosecution) at $3,819,691 in 2026, up from $3,810,445. That accounts for 19.0 percent of tax levy or $1.53 of the overall rate.

The budget keeps funding at the same levels for organizations providing services in the county including:

Cornell Cooperative Extension at $240,000; Orleans Economic Development Agency at $200,000; Soil & Water at $100,500, four public libraries to share $10,000; Mercy Flight at $5,000; Council of the Arts at $4,000; Cobblestone Museum, $3,000.

The budget includes $8,566,052 for capital projects:

Highway – $7,446,143 ($7,060,509 from state and federal governments)

• Local bridge and culvert repairs, $50,000
• Patch and seal county roads, $150,000
• Highway reconstruction, $2,668,458
• Eagle Harbor Knowlesville culvert, $865,000
• Bridge Project #2, $2,375,500
• Groth Road bridge replacement, $1,337,185

Buildings and grounds – $610,000 (all county cost)

• Boiler pump (Public Square), $40,000
• Pole barn, $150,000
• Parking lot at DPW, $130,000
• Elevator maintenance, $30,000
• Air handlers (Treasurer and Probation), $50,000
• Fiber loop, $210,000

Sheriff – $509,909 (All county cost)

• Animal control for leased truck, $15,000
• Fleet maintenance program: 2026, $105,000
• Fleet maintenance program: 2024, $52,957
• Fleet maintenance program: 2025, $106,800
• Tasers lease (2024-2028), $45,575
• 8×10 omega plate, $15,000
• Jail – vests, $13,577
• Jail – Axon Tasers lease, $6,000
• Jail repairs, $150,000

MURRAY – Voters in the Murray Joint Fire District elected three fire commissioners on Tuesday: Scott Harrington, Jenna Amering and Shawn O’Mara.

The district also announced the fire operations officers for 2026. They were elected on Dec. 4.

• Fire Chief: Rick Cary
• Deputy Fire Chief: Pete Hendrickson
• Assistant Fire Chief: Kevin Dann
• Captains: Jeff Elsenheimer and Allan Smith
• Lieutenant: Chris Middleton
• Fire Police Captain: John Morriss
• Fire Police Lieutenant: Jerry Wagner

“These dedicated leaders will guide us through another year of service, safety and community commitment,” the fire district announced on Tuesday night.

Charlie Monacelli

ALBION – A long-time volunteer firefighter has been elected fire commissioner in the Albion Joint Fire District.

Charlie Monacelli was elected to a five-year term today. He received 77 votes to the 58 for Derek Howes.

Monacelli will take the place of Chris Kinter on the board of commissioners. This was the second election for the Albion Joint Fire District. A year ago, the five commissioners were elected for the first time. Kinter didn’t seek re-election to the unpaid position. Monacelli’s term starts on Jan. 1.

The turnout was steady for the election which lasted three hours from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hoag Library.

Monacelli has been a volunteer firefighter for 36 years. He said he is running to bring more transparency in the joint fire district.

Howes is an Albion native who recently moved back to the community after being very involved with the Town of Niagara Active Hose fire company. He served on the Executive Board and as a lieutenant with that fire company. He works full-time as a project manager/estimator for a fire protection company.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley announced that arts and cultural organizations in the 139^th Assembly District have received more than $600,000 in state funding.

That includes $25,000 for both the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines and the Genesee Country Village in Mumford. Those funds from the New York State Council on the Arts are in the category of “NYSCA support for organizations.”

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) also received a similar $25,000 grant, plus $35,000 in rehearsal space for performing arts. GO Art! also received $385,000 in statewide community regrants to support arts and cultural programs in Genesee and Orleans counties.

GO Art! also was approved for funding in Statewide Community Regrant administrative fees, including $35,875 SCR administrative fees from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2025; $49,500 in fees from April 1 to June 30; and $30,125 in administrative fees from July 1 to Dec. 31.

“As your assemblyman, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is securing funding that will go toward strengthening local organizations and bettering our community,” Hawley said. “These vital grant awards will not only help boost current conditions and initiatives for these organizations, but they will also set them up for future success with targeted support and improvements. I’m proud to be able to announce this funding for our community, and I will continue to work in Albany to make sure our local institutions have the funding and resources they need to succeed.”

Claudia Tenney

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is seeking re-election to the 24^th Congressional District which covers 14 counties, including Orleans County.

Today, she announced that the Republican Party chairs in all 14 counties have endorsed her for another two-year term, including Skip Draper, the Republican Party chairman in Orleans County.

“Claudia has delivered real results for our communities by leading the fight to cut taxes through President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and championing strong border security policies to end the chaos created under the Biden administration,” according to a joint statement from many of the Republican leaders in the district. “Her proven conservative leadership, tireless advocacy for families, farmers, and small businesses, and her close partnership with President Trump, who has already issued his full endorsement, make her the clear choice to continue representing NY-24. We are united in our support and confident she will keep fighting for our values in Washington.

This statement was attributed to Genesee County Republican Chairman Scott German, Orleans County Republican Chairman Skip Draper, Wyoming County Republican Chairwoman Cheryl Mayer, Wayne County Republican Chairwoman Amy Schreiber, Yates County Republican Chairman Jack Prendergast, Cayuga County Republican Chairman Nate VeVone, Oswego County Republican Chairman Terry Wilbur, Seneca County Republican Chairman Tom Fox, Jefferson County Republican Chairman Donald Coon, Schuyler County Republican Chairwoman Maryann Friebis, Genesee County Conservative Chairwoman Julie Carasone, Wayne County Conservative Chairman Michael Garlock, Jefferson County Conservative Chairman Ken Parks, Oswego County Conservative Chairman Ronald Greenleaf and Cayuga County Conservative Chairman David Pappert.

Tenney’s press release today also included statements of support from Ontario County Republican Chairwoman and Finger Lakes Regional Chairwoman Trisha Turner, Niagara County Republican Chairman Richard Andres, Steuben County Republican Chairman Joseph Sempolinski and Livingston County Republican Chairwoman Andrea Bailey.

Orleans could get 2 to 5 inches of snow

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Orleans County beginning at 7 this evening until 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The advisory includes Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and northern Erie counties, with 2 to 5 inches of snow expected.

“Lake effect snow this evening will produce 1 to 3 inches across the Buffalo Northtowns and Niagara County,” the Weather Service said. “Widespread snow will then produce a few more inches of snow late tonight through Wednesday morning for the entire region.”

The overnight low for tonight is forecast for 27, followed by a high of 38 on Wednesday with an overnight low around 19.

Thursday snow showers are likely with a high of 27 and overnight low of 20, followed by more snow showers likely on Friday with a high of 32 and overnight low of 19.

2025 guide put special emphasis on bicentennial of Orleans County and Erie Canal

Press Release, Orleans County Tourism Department

The cover of the 2025 Orleans County Travel Guide features a vintage black-and-white image of downtown Medina from the 1906 Old Home Days, accompanied by three photos showcasing agriculture, the Erie Canal and world-class fishing on Lake Ontario.

ALBION – Orleans County Tourism is proud to announce that its 2025 travel guide “Celebrate Orleans County’s Bicentennial” has received the Excellence in Print Marketing: Large Format Print Publications for Destination Marketing Associations award at the inaugural ANDIES Awards, held during the Campground Owners Expo in Branson, Missouri on December 3.

The 2025 travel guide, designed by Orleans County Tourism Creative Director Lynne Menz, commemorates the bicentennials of Orleans County and the Erie Canal. Designed as a collectible, coffee-table-style publication, it features a vintage black-and-white background image from the 1906 Old Home Days in Medina, along with three cover photos showcasing the county’s signature attractions: agriculture, the Erie Canal and world-class fishing on Lake Ontario.

“I am deeply humbled by the unexpected accolades as I complete my tenure with Orleans County Tourism and transition into my retirement,” Menz said. “It has been an honor to highlight the many assets that Orleans County has to offer as a destination. I am especially grateful for the partnerships with those who contributed to the content, including photographers, historians and colleagues.”

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by our peers with this ANDIES Award for the Orleans County travel guide,” adds Dawn Borchert, Orleans County Tourism director. “We wanted to make this a special travel guide this year, and my staff worked hard to achieve this for our bicentennial celebration of Orleans County.”

Anderson’s Brochure Distribution Service, a division of Merchantry Tourism LLC, has been serving the outdoor hospitality and tourism industries for more than 40 years and is widely respected for its expertise.

Owned and operated by Lisa and Don Bennett Jr., the company developed the ANDIES Awards to recognize excellence in print marketing for businesses and associations in these industries. The awards honor creativity, design and effectiveness in engaging audiences, with winners selected by a panel of industry professionals with expertise in tourism, outdoor hospitality and marketing.

The 2025 travel guide is available at the Orleans County Tourism Office in the Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 W, Albion, N.Y., at local libraries or online (click here) for viewing or to request a copy.

Surgical Associates will keep Lockport office but will be doing all surgeries at Medina hospital

Dr. Jeffrey Schratz, left, and Dr. Robert Hodge are surgeons with the Great Lakes Surgical Associates, which has become part of the Orleans Community Health Surgery Clinic.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced that Great Lakes Surgical Associates has officially become part of the Orleans Community Health System, strengthening the hospital’s shared commitment to accessible, high-quality surgical care throughout the region.

This partnership, effective Dec. 1, represents a significant expansion for Orleans Community Health, while ensuring continuity and stability for patients and providers, the hospital said in a recent announcement.

As part of this integration, the Great Lakes Surgical Associates’ name will remain unchanged, and patients will continue to seeing the same trusted providers they rely on today, the announcement said.

Locations and office hours will remain the same, insurance relationships are unchanged and day-to-day operations will continue without disruption.

Great Lakes Surgical Associations is already home to two highly respected surgeons, Dr. Jeffrey Schratz and Dr. Robert Hodge, both of whom are part of the Orleans Community Health Surgery Clinic and are well-known, trusted names across the community, said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health.

Their continued presence further strengthens the alignment between the organizations and reinforces a seamless experience for patients.

“This partnership allows us to enhance care while keeping the experience familiar and seamless for patients,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “We look forward to integrating our systems and aligning our clinical teams to deliver even better care for our community.”

This acquisition moves procedures to Medina Memorial Hospital, increasing surgical procedures occurring at Medina. Both surgeons, however, will continue to see patients at both the Lockport location and Medina.

The collaboration will bring additional resources, coordinated services and expanded support for both patients and staff, while preserving the personalized, community-focused care Great Lakes Surgical Associates is known for, Robinson said.