Gas prices slid down a penny for the average national price to $3.06 today, while the state average is $3.15, with no change from a  week ago, AAA reported today. A year ago the average national price was $3.26, while the state average was $3.58.

AAA says the average national price today matches the low for 2024 back in January.

Here are the average prices in Western New York counties:

• Orleans, $3.242
• Genesee, $3.259
• Wyoming, $3.232
• Livingston, $3.350
• Monroe, $3.227
• Niagara, $3.142
• Erie, $3.202
• Chautauqua, $3.405
• Cattaraugus, $3.365
• Allegany, $3.328

“Oil, the primary ingredient in the production of gasoline, is trading in the low $70s per barrel this morning – similar to last week – and that’s helping keep prices down as demand for gas is expected to rise for the holiday,” AAA stated in a news release.

For drivers who use diesel fuel, the national average price for diesel is $3.53, no change from last Monday. The New York average is $3.86, down one cent from last Monday, AAA reported.

“AAA is forecasting nearly 72 million Americans will drive 50 miles or more from their home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Tuesday to Monday),” AAA stated. “That’s a new record and an additional 1.3 million compared to last year.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The lamp post on Main Street, right in front of the Courthouse Square, is decorated with a glowing Christmas tree.

About 40 of the lamp posts will be decorated for Christmas and the holiday season.

Maureen Bennett is coordinating the effort for the second year. It’s part of the “Bring Christmas Back to Albion” initiative that started last year to pump up the holiday spirit in Albion.

The group also will soon have Christmas trees decorated on the Courthouse lawn.

This angel is at the corner of Main and West Park streets near the Bethlehem scene for the Holy Family Parish.

This lamp posts has lots of Santas on Main Street next to Gurney’s.

This lamp post in on East Bank Street near the Roots Hair Salon. Many businesses, families and organizations have adopted the posts.

Hearth & Home Real Estate Professionals decorated this lamp post with the courthouse and First Presbyterian Church in the backyard.

This collection of Indian points ranges in age from 400 to 5,000 years, and was found near Waterport. Illustration from the book: Orleans County History: Past to Present, Bicentennial Year, 1976.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, Number 37

WATERPORT – As Orleans County prepares to celebrate its 200th year in 2025, we are moved to reflect on time, history and prehistory and our place in the continuum.

Geologists date the formation of the North American continent to 2.5 to 1.3 billion years ago. The glaciers that formed during the most recent Ice Age, some 120,000 years ago, formed the topography of New York State as they retreated north. The melting glaciers carved out the Niagara Escarpment and created Niagara Falls. Ridge Road was once the shoreline of Lake Ontario, formerly Lake Iroquois.

We are aware of these facts of our geological history but somehow the span of time covered in that short synopsis is unfathomable to us. We can more easily relate to more recent archeological history. Ample evidence of earlier human habitation has been documented throughout the county.

No mention of archaeology in Orleans County can fail to reference Stanley Vanderlaan of Albion, who literally stumbled upon what became his life’s passion when he found his first artifacts – flint chips and arrow points – while woodchuck hunting near Otter Creek in Barre in 1956. He was recognized as a Research Fellow of the Rochester Museum and the NYS Archeological Association for his contributions to the field.

In an essay on the Archaeological History of Orleans County which he wrote for inclusion in the book “Orleans County History: Past to Present, Bicentennial Year, 1976”, Vanderlaan wrote that Orleans County was primarily a hunting, fishing and food gathering area for the Indians. Over 10,000 years ago, Paleo-Indians hunted mastodons in this area. They used a spear with a sharp flint point known as a Clovis point. One was discovered in the mucklands, about one mile west of Barre Center and is believed to be 8,000 to 9,000 years old.

Following the extinction of the large animals, humans apparently left the area for some 3,000 years and returned some 5,000 years ago. Known as the Archaic Hunters, they used a distinctive javelin point for hunting, referred to as a Lamoka point. Many have been found along Oak Orchard Creek.

Illustration from the book: Orleans County History: Past to Present, Bicentennial Year, 1976 Artifacts from the Bamber Mound, near Waterport.

The Waterport area in general has yielded many treasures. A site referred to as the Bamber Mound on the Oak Orchard Creek “a mile downstream from the Waterport Dam” yielded stone and flint artifacts from the Hopewell or Adena Indians who lived there: net-sinkers, gorgets (ornaments hung around the neck), celts (stone ax blades), 4-sided projectile points, cache blades, human and animal bones. A site nearby yielded the earliest pottery found in the county, some highly decorated, with an estimated age of  2,000 to 2,500 years.

Two later sites, about 800 to 1200 years old, home to the Owasco Indians, were also located near Waterport. Fire-making flints, triangular points and pottery decorated with a herringbone design were found there. The Owasco Indians gave way to the Early Iroquois Indians who had significant habitations in the Oakfield area.

This whirlwind summary of human habitation in Orleans County begs the question: what will remain of our culture 5,000 years hence and how will it be interpreted?

(The Shelby Neuter Fort,  which dates to 1500 A.D. was the only known large permanent village in the  county. It will be discussed in a forthcoming column.)

As the holidays grow near, activities to celebrate add up in Orleans County

Residents won’t have to go far to find events for shopping, train rides, parades, children’s activities and more.

Medina already kicked off the season of holiday events with Moonlight Madness on Thursday, a night of pre-holiday sales with exclusive deals and the chance to win a giant gift basket.

Today (Nov. 24) is Kendall Fire Hall’s One Stop Holiday Shop, with vendors, crafters and a cookie maker. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The ever-popular Polar Express train ride rolls into Medina Railroad for excursions Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8,14, 15, 21 and 22. The magical one-hour journey takes passengers to meet Santa at the “North Pole,” set to the film’s film track.

Once aboard, hot chocolate and a cookie will be served and costumed characters will read the Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Arriving at the North Pole, Santa will join the train for the return trip and give each passenger a sleigh bell as the first gift of Christmas. Families are encouraged to wear pajamas.

A food vendor will be onsite with various meal options, snacks and drinks. All items purchased there can be brought on the train, but no outside food or beverages are allowed.

Nov. 30 brings the biggest celebration during Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights. This is hailed as one of the biggest and brightest parades in Western New York, with dozens of lighted floats expected to enter.

Highlights include the Home for the Holiday’s 5K race at 9 a.m.; entertainment and vendors downtown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Santa’s arrival and Pet Parade at noon; Yohe draft horse wagon rides from 1 to 5 p.m.; Friends of Harmony barbershop quartet in Rotary Park at 2 p.m.; Christmas tree lighting in Rotary Park with parade marshal Ginny Kropf at 5:30 p.m.; fireworks over Main Street at 5:45 p.m.; Parade of Lights from the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue to Main Street at 6 p.m., ending at North Main Street.

More daylong events are listed on the Christmas in Medina website.

Dec. 5 though Dec. 8 will feature Holiday Open Houses, hosted by the Medina Area Partnership. This weekend is dedicated to promoting local businesses and their special offerings. The weekend promises to be filled with holiday spirit, shopping and local charm, all amid Medina’s spectacularly decorated downtown.

More information on the days can be found on Medina Area Partnership’s Facebook page.

Dec. 7 is Holley’s annual Memory Bulb Tree Lighting and Holiday Social, at 1 Public Square. Activities include the tree lighting, holiday photos, memory bulb presentation, caroling, cookies and cocoa and Santa.Up-to-date information on the event can also be found at the Village of Holley Festivals Facebook page.

Lyndonville will host its tree-lighting and holiday celebration on Dec. 7 at Veterans Park. There are many activities from 2 to 6:30 p.m. with Santa arriving at 5 p.m. to light the trees.

Dec. 14 will shine as the date of Barre’s Lighted Tractor Parade, starting at 5 p.m. on East Barre Road and ending at the Barre Town Park. Complete information is available on the Barre Betterment Committee’s Facebook page.

At 6 p.m. Dec. 14, the Hometown Holiday/Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade is scheduled in the village of Albion. The parade will begin at Dubby’s Tailgate on East Avenue and then proceed down South Main Street.

The public is invited to spend the day enjoying the festivities of “Hometown Holiday,” which will occur across the town and in the Albion small business district prior to the parade.

The Albion Merchants Association have up-to-date information on their Facebook page regarding the event.

If residents and visitors are still looking for a calm experience after the string of exciting events, Orleans County Tourism reminds everyone of winter fishing in Orleans County.

In the Oak Orchard River and nearby tributaries, such as Johnson Creek and Sandy Creek during the fall, winter and spring, the trout and salmon make upstream migrations, where guides and anglers cast and make hopeful drifts.

During November, the focus is on brown trout and Atlantic salmon.

December and January the focus is on coho salmon and steelhead, still some brown trout and even King salmon.

In February, the focus is all on steelhead, while waiting for fresh chrome fish.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Haylee Zogoda helps with the set up this morning of the holiday scenery at State Street Park in Medina. She set up the sheep in front of the shepherds who are watching over their flock.

Zogoda helped the Medina Lions Club with the annual display. Her father, Jason Cogovan, is a member of the Lions Club.

Tom Robinson, left, and Bernie Froman work on the display that will be up until early January. The volunteers appreciated the decent weather this morning. Sometimes they have done the task in a deep freeze.

Carol Bellack strings lights on some of the Christmas trees.

These volunteers get the Nativity scene set in the park. At left are Jason Cogovan, Pete Kaiser and Scott Grimm.

From left Kevin Bogan, Howie Gardner and Ken Dunham work on the advent wreath.

Chris Limina helps gets the lights on the trees.

Mark Irwin, Bernie Froman and Tom Robinson get the three wise men in place.

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will sponsor two holiday events during the month of December, beginning with “Simply Christmas” on Dec. 7.

During the day, the Holiday Shoppe will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lower level of the Cobblestone Church, where shoppers can browse for a wide variety of low-priced new and gently used Christmas-themed merchandise, according to Museum assistant director Sue Bonafini. Visitors will be able to find décor galore, including replacement lights and light strings, paper goods, holiday books and more for themselves or gift-list recipients.

The Holiday Shoppe is conveniently located near the Gift Shop, where visitors will find old-fashioned toys, mini hurdy-gurdy instruments, new Cobblestone Museum logo T-shirts and caps, half-priced Merle maple products, scented candles and more for sale. Most books for sale are written by local authors and inspire reading related to Orleans County history, Bonafini said. Another item to be found in the Gift Shop is Cobblestone Candy, which makes a great stocking stuffer or sweet treat.

At 11 a.m., Simply Christmas, a program celebrating the traditions of St. Nicholas Day at the Cobblestone Church will begin, with stories, songs, readings and carols guaranteed to put visitors in a festive mood. A free will offering will be received, and light refreshments will follow in the Proctor Room, near the Holiday Shoppe.

Special pricing will be in effect inside the Used Books Building behind the brick house. Readers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to take advantage of this special half-price savings on hundreds of selections of fiction and non-fiction titles before the winter season ushers in a temporary closing of this self-serve operation. All sales benefit the Cobblestone Society and Museum.

Following the Simply Christmas program, the Orleans County Historical Association will hold its annual luncheon meeting and program at Tavern on the Ridge, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Membership in OCHA is not required, so attendees from the Cobblestone event are invited to participate for a full day of activities.

A brief business meeting will follow lunch, with speaker and author Mike McFarland, who will present “The Civil War and the Erie Canal.” Lunch options are $20 and include rolls, beverage and gratuity. Choices are beef on weck and fries, bowl of French onion soup and Caesar salad or chicken parmesan and pasta. Call (585) 589-6015 to make a reservation.

Dec. 14 will feature Create a Keepsake from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center across the road from the Cobblestone Museum at 14386 Ridge Rd. Shirley Nigro, a local artist of world renown will head the event. A charge of $10 includes a seat, paints and brushes. A wide array of ornaments and decorations will be available for purchase, starting at $4, to paint on site or take home for painting later.

Space is limited, so reserving a space early is recommended. Those attending are urged to bring a friend or family member to enjoy the day with them. Registration can be made at CobblestoneMuseum.org or by calling (585) 589-9013.

Screenshot

Provided photos

HOLLEY – The Holley Village Board last week honored Sal DeLuca as Holle’s Citizen of the Year.

DeLuca was hailed for his long-time contributions on the Board of Education, as a coach and with the Holley Sports Boosters.

The top photo from left shows village trustees Rochelle Moroz and Jessica MacClaren, Sal DeLuca, Mayor Mark Bower, and trustees John Morriss and Jim DeFilipps.

The photo at right shows Mayor Bower presenting the award.

“Sal DeLuca has given an enormous amount of his time in service to the Holley community as a school board member and coach,” Bower said. “ He has impacted numerous Holley residents for the better.”

Growing congregation on Crandall Road eyes expansion

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Trellis Pore, pastor of Shiloh Church on Crandall Road, Albion, and his wife Caleia are shown with some of the more than 50 blankets they recently collected and donated for the homeless.

ALBION – When Trellis Pore started to lead the Shiloh Church, only a few people showed up for his first sermons. That was Nov. 17, 2021, and last Sunday Pastor Pore celebrated his third anniversary with guest speaker the Rev. Wayne Lewis and a full congregation.

Pore has a full-time job as weapons trainer with the New York State Department of Corrections, but his passion is preaching. He first became licensed to speak at the age of 19 at Shiloh Church and was ordained at 21.

Since that time, he and his wife Caleia have seen Shiloh grow, along with their desire to make a difference in their community.

They are aware of rising number of homeless in Orleans County.

“Growing up here, I didn’t see that as a kid,” the Rev. Pore said. “We saw that was where we could make a difference.”

They put the word out for donations of blankets for the homeless, and the support was absolutely amazing, the pastor said. Just recently, they delivered more than 50 blankets to warming shelters at Hoag Library in Albion, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina and Community Action’s Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley.

They plan to continue collecting blankets for the homeless, and then branch out to see what else they can do to help out in their community.

Going forward, the Rev. Pore knows they are going to have to expand at the church on Crandall Road. Their congregation averages 130 people and continues to grow. The building is outgrowing their needs and they need more space to accommodate the things they want to do, such as mentoring, tutoring and youth activities.

They have formed Shiloh Angels, which is compiling a prayer book filled with prayers from youth. Artist Pat Standish is doing the illustrations and the book will be handed out to anyone in need, especially kids who are facing tough times.

“We want them to know their prayers will be answered,” the Rev. Pore said. “When we come together in unity, all things are possible.”

Shiloh Church is also planning a Shiloh family Christmas giveaway at 3 p.m. Dec. 21 at Albion Elks Lodge.

A Christmas Eve service is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., with a New Year’s Eve service, also at 6:30 p.m.

The Pores welcome anyone to join them in Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and worship at 11 a.m. Sundays.

HOLLEY – The Holley Rotary Club is leading the effort to place 250 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Hillside Cemetery.

Last year was Holley’s first time in the Wreaths Across America program and 200 wreaths were placed at Hillside.

This year, the Rotary Club wants to see more wreaths at the cemetery where about 600 veterans are buried. There will be a noon ceremony on Dec. 14 at Hillside Cemetery. Volunteers are then welcome to help set the wreaths.

Holley was the third Orleans County community to join Wreaths Across America. Lyndonville and Medina have been a part of effort in recent years. Mount Albion also will be in Wreaths for the first time on Dec. 14. Wreaths has grown to about 4,000 communities around the country.

Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America or sponsoring a wreath to support Holley Rotary should visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/NY0482 to learn more. The wreaths are $17 each. Holley already has sponsors for 183 wreaths.

Press Release, Attorney General Letitia James

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today reminded licensed pet dealers with retail stores that selling dogs, cats, and rabbits will be illegal in New York starting on Dec. 15.

The pet sale ban is intended to stop dangerous large-scale breeding operations known as “puppy mills,” where animals are often mistreated and suffer from serious health issues. Puppy mills often misrepresent the health of the animals they breed and send retail stores sick pets that then cost families thousands of dollars in veterinary care.

Retail pet stores that continue to sell pets after Dec. 15 can face penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. New Yorkers can still adopt pets from duly incorporated humane societies, animal rescues, or licensed breeders.

“Bringing a new pet into a family should be a time of excitement and joy, but often animals from ‘puppy mills’ suffer from serious medical issues and leave families heartbroken over their sick pet and with a heavy bill to pay,” said Attorney General James. “This pet sale ban will help put an end to the dangerous puppy mill to pet store pipeline that endangers pets and costs New Yorkers thousands of dollars in veterinary care. New Yorkers interested in adding a furry friend to their family can still adopt a pet at a human society, animal rescue, or a licensed breeder.”

Press Release, Governor’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced retail rebates are now available for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to purchase energy efficient appliances at participating retailers.

Through the state’s new Appliance Upgrade Program, New York is the first state to offer retail point-of-sale appliance rebates to provide a customer-centered process for replacing inefficient electric or fossil fuel-powered clothes dryers with clean heat pump powered alternatives, and making associated electrical upgrades if needed.

New York State contractors are also eligible to enroll to participate and receive incentives for installations. Today’s announcement will help New York families save energy and reduce harmful emissions in their homes and communities.

“New York is demonstrating its continued commitment to ensuring an equitable energy transition by leveraging all federal funds available to incentivize consumers to make energy efficient appliance purchases a priority,” Governor Hochul said. “As a result of these new rebates, low- and moderate-income New Yorkers will save energy and money while doing their laundry with modern technology that will reduce emissions.”

Today’s announcement was made in New York City at Samsung 837, an interactive sustainable green space that also showcases efficient technology options for consumers. The new Appliance Upgrade Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Home Energy Rebate (HER) Programs.

This launch builds on New York being the first state to offer HER funding for home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades through the IRA.

In total, New York’s allocation of federal funding is $317.4 million with $159 million from the Home Efficiency Rebates program and $158.4 million from the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program.

The Appliance Upgrade Program will allow income eligible customers earning up to 150 percent of the state’s area median income (AMI) to apply for rebates on a first-come, first-served basis to replace their non-working, outdated or inefficient dryers with ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump clothes dryers, as well as receive additional support for electrical wiring and/or panel upgrades that may be necessary for such appliance installations.

ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers use around 70 percent less energy compared to conventional dryers, which will save consumers significant electricity costs over the life of the product. Eligible appliances also include all-in-one washer-dryer units with a heat pump clothes dryer.

Households may receive a maximum of $840 in incentives for the appliance purchase and installation, and additional maximum incentives of $2,500 and $4,000, respectively, for necessary electrical wiring and panel upgrades. Households under 80 percent AMI are eligible to receive up to $14,000 in total combined incentives under the Appliance Upgrade Program and EmPower+, which helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money toward energy improvements made to their primary residence. New York will expand the rebate program in 2025 to include additional clean energy appliances and eligibility for owners of residential low- and moderate-income multifamily buildings to apply for rebates.

Participating retailers include:

• Connect Distributors – New York City Metro Area
• Happy Electronics – Flushing
• Keith’s Appliances – Norwich, Connecticut
• Klearview Appliance – Brooklyn
• LG Electronics – Statewide
• Michael’s Appliance – Middletown
• Orville’s Appliance – Western New York Area
• PC Richard & Son New York City Metro/Long Island
• Riester’s Appliances – Auburn
• Samsung – Statewide
• Supreme Appliances – Monroe – (845) 288-2661
• S&W Appliances – Brooklyn

NYSERDA’s website will be updated as additional retailers sign up. To assist consumers, NYSERDA’s Regional Clean Energy Hubs will be engaged to help low- to moderate-income households apply for appliance incentives including the ability to submit applications on behalf of customers, attendance at community events, partnering with community organizations, and connecting customers with participating retailers and contractors.

NYSERDA has created the MyEnergy portal, a one-stop shop for information on state and federal incentives and rebates, home energy technologies and services, participating retailers and qualified contractors to help implement home improvement projects, and NYSERDA’s Regional Clean Energy Hubs (Hubs) with local experts who can provide support to customers.

Provided photo: Katie Harvey, left, the county’s director of personnel, presents the “Employee of the Year” award to Danielle Figura, the county’s mental health director.

ALBION – Danielle Figura, the county’s director of the Mental Health Department, was named the “Employee of the Year” during an awards program last week.

The county recognized the employees of the month from October 2023 to September 2024. From that pool the employee of the year was chosen by a separate committee.

Figura, a county employee since 2014, was praised for “strengthening the presence of mental health services in Orleans County for all residents.”

She has mental health personnel working from all five public school districts in the county. Figura also expanded walk-in counseling appointments at the Mental Health building in Albion, allowing for increased access for services at a time when mental health services are a critical need all over the country, said Katie Harvey, the county’s director of personnel and self insurance.

Figura also leads a staff that responds to a local crisis offering grief counseling for students and staff at schools or for firefighters and other first responders.

“As a member of the Orleans County community she can respond timely to numerous other local incidents and crisis situations that our first responders have had to respond to,” Harvey said. “Her attention to the need for mental health services for first responders both as a coordinator for services and a counselor are critical to our ability to have a vibrant, healthy first responder service for our residents in a rural county.”

The EAP Committee at the county is tasked to recognize employees of the month.

“This is a very important and a very special occasion when fellow county employees are recognized for not only their service to the citizens of the county but to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond their duty,” Harvey said. “The EAP Committee receives nominations from fellow employees and department directors and then the nominations are reviewed and discussed by the committee and a selection is made.

The employees of the month for the past year include:

• October 2023 – Kailyn Dellinger (Planning & Development)
• November 2023 – Sharolyn Wallis (Public Works)
• December 2023 – Carie Doty (Public Health)
• January 2024 – Brandy Tooley (Social Services)
• February 2024 – Kelley Ortiz (Social Services)
• March 2024 – Kathy Fantasia (Social Services)
• April 2024 – Dana Goetze (Sheriff) & Danielle Figura (Mental Health)
• May 2024 – Michael Schultz & Leigha Collins (Dispatch)
• June 2024 – Jack Finley (IT Services)
• July 2024 – Jennifer Hammons (Social Services)
• August 2024 – Elizabeth Milazzo (Social Services)
• September 2024 – James Houseman (Animal Control)

ALBION – The tentative Orleans County budget for 2025 increases funding one agency while others stay at the same level.

The tentative budget includes $99,092,747 in spending, a 7.1 percent increase and would raise taxes by 1.95 percent.

The county allocates some funding to different agencies that provide services in the community.

Only the Soil & Water Conservation District was given an increase, from $97,500 to a proposed $100,500.

Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer and budget officer, said Soil & Water has been working with more property owners who have experienced flooding damage and need help from Soil & Water with drainage issues.

The agency requested the additional $3,000 and it was approved in the tentative budget.

The Legislature will have a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 for the budget, with the Legislature to vote in a meeting following the hearing in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County both sought increases but have been kept at the same level as 2024.

GO Art! sought $6,000 but stays at $4,000 in the budget, while the Cooperative Extension asked for $250,000, but was kept at $240,000. That is where the county funding for the Extension has stayed since 2017.

The Extension last year requested an increase to $275,000. This time the organization tried for a more modest hike of $10,000 but again is in the budget at $240,000.

The four public libraries collectively asked for $1 per resident or $40,343 to reflect the county’s population in the 2020 Census. But the libraries remain $10,087 in the budget, the amount since 2011. (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.)

Two other agencies stay the same and didn’t request more money: the Orleans Economic Development Agency at $200,000 and Mercy Flight at $5,000. The Orleans EDA was boosted to $200,000 in 2024 after getting $190,000 in 2023.

One of the funded agencies in 2024 was dropped from $3,000 to zero in the tentative budget. The Cobblestone Museum was given the $3,000 in 2024 after not being in the budget. Welch said the museum didn’t submit a formal written request for funding for 2025. The museum expects to break ground on a new visitor’s center in 2025.

The Sportsmen’s Federation used to be in the county budget and typically received $1,000 a year through 2023. It was dropped to $0 in 2024 and isn’t allocated any funding for 2025 in the tentative budget.