By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2025 at 11:26 am
Site has seen increase so far this winter
Photo by Tom Rivers: Julie Carasone, warming center coordinator for Oak Orchard Health, is shown this morning inside Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, where five people stayed last night. Three were people without a place to stay and two others didn’t have electricity.
ALBION – The warming center at Christ Episcopal Church welcomed five people last night, another bitter cold day.
Three of those people are unhoused without a place to stay and two others lost their electricity from the powerful winds yesterday and wanted a warm place for the night.
The Clarendon fire station also opened as a warming center, but no one chose to stay there overnight, said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director.
Oak Orchard Health is now in its third season of running the warming center at Christ Church, 26 S. Main St., Albion.
The site has 12 cots, coffee, tea, soup and hygiene kits when the temperature drops below 32 degrees at night. Oak Orchard also has the ability through the Emergency Management Office to have up to 90 cots set up.
Oak Orchard was ready with additional supplies and cots if needed last night, said Julie Carasone, warming center coordinator for Oak Orchard Health.
The site typically had 1 or 2 people each night the first winter it opened in 2023-’24, and then 2 or 3 on most days last winter.
This year there are more people, usually 3 to 8 each night, Carasone said.
“This year we have a significant increase in the number of people who are un-homed or unhoused,” she said. “We’ve been very busy this season.”
The warming center is activated on “Cold Blue” nights when the temperature falls to 32 degrees or below. That started early this year – on Nov. 3, Carasone said.
She said some of the people who stay at the warming center are only there for a couple weeks and they are able to get housing and a job. Others struggle to come up with the money for a security deposit and down payment and are there more long-term.
“In Orleans County there is a limited housing supply,” Carasone said. “And rent has become expensive.”
She praised the collaboration among Oak Orchard Health, the Orleans County DSS, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern and Community Action in trying to keep people safe from the cold and headed towards more secure housing.
The warming center is paid for through a state grant to operate the “Code Blue” centers. Oak Orchard Health has two staff that work at the site, one in a six-hour shift from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., and then another coming in from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m.
When the temperature is above 32 degrees, the warming center is not available. Carasone said she hears from the people that they will stay in tents, or by the canal park in Albion, or with family and friends.
They often stay in public libraries, fast food restaurants, laundromats and other businesses during the day, Carasone said.
She also thanked other agencies and the community for helping keep the warming center stocked with supplies for the people staying overnight. The Medina Area Association of Churches, Hands 4 Hope, Community Action and Zonta Club all have helped with materials at the site.
The warming center will likely be available into April when the temperature usually gets over 32 degrees at night.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2025 at 7:31 pm
More than 2,600 still without power in Orleans County
The Clarendon fire station on Route 31A has opened as a warming center for people to stay and warm up and charge their devices. The fire station at 16169 East Lee Rd. will be open all night for people to stay or stop by.
Christ Episcopal Church in Albion at 26 S. Main St. will also be available as a warming center. Anyone that needs access to the warming center at Christ Church is asked to call (585) 340-1355 to make arrangements prior to going.
UPDATE at 7:50 p.m.: The Pullman Memorial Universalist Church at 10 East Park St. in Albion also announced it will be open as a warming center until 10 tonight.
There will be snacks and beverages available, as well as the chance to charge phones.
National Grid is reporting at 7:06 p.m. that 2,683 of its customers are currently without electricity.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C–Batavia) today commented on the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) announcement of new Gold Star Family license plates.
The new plates will give qualifying family members a meaningful way to honor the service and sacrifice of their fallen loved ones and will be offered alongside the existing Gold Star Mothers license plate.
Assemblyman Hawley’s bill, A.2334, has long supported efforts to waive registration fees for Gold Star parents and family members who apply for commemorative plates. He welcomed the unveiling of the new plates and thanked DMV Commissioner and former state Assembly colleague Mark Schroeder for his work in making them available to Gold Star Families across New York. Hawley also said he plans to amend his bill to ensure the DMV includes this new plate when waiving registration fees for eligible Gold Star Families.
Qualifying family members can order the new plates now by visiting the DMV’s website.
“I’m proud to see the DMV take this important step supporting our state’s Gold Star Families and my legislation and providing them with another way to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Hawley said. “One of my goals as an assemblyman has been to ensure these plates are accessible and affordable for qualifying families. This announcement marks real progress, and I look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Schroeder and my colleagues in Albany to make sure Gold Star Families will be able to obtain these plates for no registration fee.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2025 at 6:45 pm
OK Kitchen cancels Thursday dinner due to frigid forecast
The Barre Town Board has rescheduled the year-end board meeting from 6 p.m. today until noon on Tuesday due the rough weather, including a travel advisory. The meeting will be at the Town Hall on West Barre Road.
The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen’s board of directors also has canceled the meal scheduled for Thursday on New Year’s Day due to the forecast of very cold weather.
“We want everyone to stay home and stay safe and warm,” said Faith Smith, the kitchen’s director. “It will be very cold and there will be ice everywhere. Our only concern is for everyone’s safety. We will be back open Thursday, January 7.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2025 at 5:16 pm
Site is available for residents of Orleans County
ALBION – The warming center at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion is open tonight for people in Orleans County who need a warm place to stay.
The site is operated by Oak Orchard Health. Anyone that needs access to the warming center/shelter is asked to call (585) 340-1355 to make arrangements prior to going
“Our staff is on standby and ready to help, including providing a warm cup of coffee and a safe place to warm up,” Oak Orchard Health stated on its Facebook page. “Do not stay stranded in the cold. Please call for assistance.”
There are also daytime warming centers that include Hoag Library in Albion at 134 South Main St.; Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina at 620 West Ave.; and the Eastern Orleans Community Center at 75 Public Square in Holley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2025 at 2:30 pm
Power outages near 4,000 in county
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke has issued a travel advisory urging no unnecessary driving due to many downed trees and wires causing unsafe conditions throughout the county.
“Please exercise extreme caution when traveling, and only travel if necessary,” Bourke said in a press release sent at 1:55 p.m.
Additional information will be released when the travel advisory is lifted, he said.
“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with keeping our roadways safe,” the sheriff said.
National Grid also reports the number of customers without electricity is up to 3,740 as of 2:35 p.m. That is about 19 percent of National Grid’s 19,724 customers in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2025 at 11:05 am
Drivers dodge garbage cans, recycling carts on windy day
Photos by Tom Rivers: It’s a bad day to be garbage day with powerful winds knocking over the recycling carts and garbage cans. Drivers needed to dodge a recycling cart and toppled cans on East Park Street in Albion.
National Grid reported at 10:45 a.m. that the number of customers without electricity in Orleans County has increased to 2,147. That was up from 564 just after 8 a.m.
The biggest outages are in the Kendall area. National Grid expects that power to be restored there by 11:45 a.m. and the rest of the county back on line by 3 p.m. today.
A high wind warning is in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday with southwest winds at 35 to 45 mile per hour and gusts up to 75 mph.
These garbage cans blew into South Clinton Street in Albion after being emptied by Modern Disposal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2025 at 8:26 am
Provided photo: A crew works to restore electricity in Barre on Route 98 this morning around 8 a.m. This is in between the Barre fire hall and East Barre Road.
Powerful winds have knocked out electricity to 564 National Grid customers after 8 a.m. today.
National Grid said the power should be back on in the affected areas by 11:30 a.m.
A high wind warning is in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday with southwest winds at 35 to 45 mile per hour and gusts up to 75 mph.
National Grid reports the following outages by county:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2025 at 10:17 pm
Photo by Celeste Morien: This Turkey Vulture is shown in the Oak Orchard Swamps.
BASOM – The annual Christmas Bird Count that was scheduled for Dec. 29 has been pushed back a week due to the powerful winds forecast for Dec. 29.
Those winds, with gusts that could reach 70 miles per hour, make it unsafe for people to be out in the wooded areas, said Celeste Morien, the county compiler.
Last year, 41 counters found 70 species and just over 12,000 individual birds.
The Oak Orchard Christmas Bird Count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts since their inception.
The bird counters will instead be out on Monday, Jan. 5. They will be equipped with spotting scopes and binoculars from dawn to dusk.
The Oak Orchard count is centered on the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge at the Orleans and Genesee County line on Route 63. Count volunteers follow routes staying inside a designated 15-mile diameter circle.
National Grid is increasing staffing and extending evening and overnight work shifts as the company prepares for a severe weather system that is anticipated to begin Sunday evening and continue through Tuesday morning across Upstate New York.
Weather forecasts are predicting heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and wind gusts that could approach 70 mph.
We anticipate large portions of Upstate New York to be impacted, including the shorelines of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and the Genesee Valley, Central New York, Tug Hill, Mohawk Valley, Capital and Adirondack regions.
Additionally, the company has secured external resources to support potential power restoration efforts. The company also has activated its comprehensive emergency response plan.
Customers are reminded to keep safety a priority with the following reminders:
If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.
Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. Before operating a generator, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.
Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1-800-642- 4272. In a medical emergency, always dial 911.
Stay tuned to local news outlets or the National Weather Service for storm updates, weather alerts
Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices.
If the power is out, use flashlights or other battery-powered lights. Do not use candles, which can pose a fire hazard.
Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.
Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors, and others who may need assistance during an outage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2025 at 8:56 am
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a flood watch and a high wind warning for Orleans County.
The flood watch is in effect from 1 p.m. today through Monday afternoon with flooding possible from excessive rainfall. The excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
The flood watch includes Niagara, Orleans, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. Widespread rainfall totals of 1-1.5 inches are expected within the watch area, the Weather Service said.
A high wind warning also is in effect from 4 a.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday with southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.
The high wind warning includes Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties.
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” the Weather Service said. “Widespread power outages are expected. Shallow rooted trees in a saturated ground will be more susceptible to falling. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 December 2025 at 9:15 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jim Nudd of Medina, a retired career military officer, sits at his desk at the Orleans County Veterans’ Services Agency in Albion, where he was hired as a Veterans’ Services Officer to assist director Nik Mroz.
ALBION – Soon after assuming duties as director of the Orleans County Veterans’ Service Agency in Albion, Nik Mroz realized it would be even more beneficial to local veterans to have a second person on staff to serve the veterans’ community.
“Not only is it an advantage to have a veterans’ services officer available to manage veterans’ affairs, but it is very helpful in implementing events sponsored by the Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program,” Mroz said. “And if I have to be absent, he’s a big asset to have in the office.”
And Mroz knew just who to ask to fill the position – his brother-in-law, Jim Nudd.
The office will continue to have Jackie Lonnen as a clerk, but there are certain duties pertaining to veterans’ affairs that can only be done by a person accredited by the Veterans’ Administration.
Nudd obtained that accreditation and was hired in November 2024.
A Medina native, Nudd is a son of Jan Nudd and the late Tom Nudd. He graduated from Medina High School in 1984 and immediately joined the Air Force. What followed was a 33-year career which saw him advance from airman to command chief of several bases.
“I had a lot of exposure to the military,” Nudd said. “My dad was in the Navy, my grandpa in the Army and my uncle Ralph Gottovi was in the Army Air Corps. I thought the Air Force sounded more exciting and I had signed up in December of 1983.”
His first assignment was to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio for basic training, where he learned he would be a munitions systems technician.
Next came a transfer to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, where he met his wife Kristina. This was followed by orders for RAF Bentwaters in England, where he achieved the rank of senior airman. While on leave from Bentwaters, his mother bought Kristina a plane ticket to Medina and he proposed to her at Glenwood Lake. On his return to England, Kristina eventually followed him, and they were married there in 1985.
In the years which followed, Nudd continued to climb in rank, becoming sergeant while serving from 1988 to 1990 at Hill Air Force Base in Utah; deployment in Desert Shield/Storm from 1990 to 1991; obtaining rank of staff sergeant at Hill Air Force Base while serving from 1991 to 1994; becoming tech sergeant at RAF Lakenheath, UK. During that time he was also deployed several times, including Bosnia.
In 1997, Nudd was transferred to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas until 1999, and then to the Kansas Air National Guard until 2004, during which time he obtained master sergeant, senior master sergeant and first sergeant.
Then came his first retirement, which he enjoyed from 2004 to 2006, when he returned to duty at March Air Force Base in California. In 2008 he was sent to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. For two years, followed by assignment to the Pentagon from 2010 to 2012, where he was promoted to chief master sergeant. His boss arranged for his promotion ceremony to be held at Niagara Falls Air Force Base, so his father, who was in failing health, and his mother could attend.
His next deployments were back to RAF Lakenheath and Whiteman Air Force Base in 2012 until 2016. His final duty was at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona from 2016 to 2017, where he became command chief, and then retired for the second time.
Jim and Kristina had two daughters during his military service – Kassidi, who was born during his second deployment to Hill Air Force Base from 1991-94; and Alison, who was born after he joined the Kansas Air National Guard in 1999.
As a civilian, he became an explosives safety officer for the U.S. Air Force, serving at McConnell, Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, Hill and Ramstein, Germany until 2023, when he retired for the third time and returned to Medina.
“Nik approached me and said with my experience in the military would I consider coming to work in the Veterans’ Service office part-time,” Nudd said. “I would help veterans with disability claims, burial arrangements and education questions, and I would manage the Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program and help with the van service. Nik took action to get me accredited, and I started in November 2024.”
Nudd is in the office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays.
Press Release, Independent Living of the Genesee Region
BATAVIA – Independent Living of the Genesee Region, in partnership with Batavia First Presbyterian Church, will offer a free Fair Housing presentation – “Know Your Rights” – on Wednesday, January 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The workshop will be held in person at First Presbyterian Church, 300 East Main St., Batavia, with a Zoom option available for virtual attendees.
Designed for tenants, landlords, and housing professionals, the presentation will cover key fair-housing topics including emotional support animals, housing discrimination, and tenant rights, helping participants better understand protections under fair-housing law.
Advance registration is required and can be completed online. Click here for more information.
For more information or to request accessibility accommodations, contact Rebecca Batt, Program Specialist, at (585) 815-8501, Ext. 417.
About Independent Living of the Genesee Region
Independent Living of the Genesee Region is part of the WNY Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies—a peer-directed organization dedicated to breaking down barriers, promoting civil rights, and enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities. WNYIL achieves this through relentless advocacy, strong partnerships, impactful programs, responsible practices, and the incorporation of individual life experiences. For more information, visit: www.wnyil.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2025 at 9:20 am
A flood watch has been issued for Orleans County from Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon due to excessive rainfall with 1 to 1.5 inches expected.
The flood watch also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.
The National Weather Service said excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
The forecast the next days calls for mostly cloudy today with a high near 27 and overnight low of 20.
Sunday is forecast for a high near 43 and overnight low of 32, followed by high near 49 on Monday and overnight low of 18.
Tuesday will have a chance of snow showers and high near 27.
