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Downtown projects bring $725,000 investment to Wellsville

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Alfred • Allentown • Alma • Andover • Angelica • Belfast • Belmont • Bolivar • Caneadea • Ceres • Cuba • FilLmore • Friendship • Genesee Houghton • little genesee • portville • richburg • Rushford • Scio • shinglehouse • Ulysses • Wellsville • west clarksville • Whitesville

RidgeWalk & Run, Artisan’s Tour highlight Allegany County’s weekend BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE — The frost was still on the pumpkins Sunday morning when hundreds of runners, walkers and nature lovers took to the fields and trails of Alma Hill for the 34th Annual RidgeWalk & Run organized by Jones Memorial Hospital. The forest trails were decked out in glorious reds, oranges and yellows under a blue sky as runners and walkers started their

early morning courses. The weather was chilly but warmed up nicely. While others kept the crowds of walkers and solitary runners on course, hospital CEO Jim Helms was rounding up the mounted riders who would patrol the area. At the end of the day the participants of some of the walks and all of the different runs were posted online before the start of the Buffalo Bills’ game. For the 25K Trail Run, Tim Chichester, 63, of Hornell, ran the

course in a 1 hour, 50 minutes and 41 seconds to take home first place. The oldest competitor in the trail run was Patty Lyons, 75, of East Aurora, who finished the course in about 4 hours, 36 minutes. The youngest competitor was Ella Fyock, 20, of Bliss, who finished the course in a little over 4 hours, 22 minutes. The 10K Run saw Mark Bentley, 50, of Hornell, finish in 51 minutes and 21seconds Photo by Kathryn Ross Sunday to enjoy the 38th annual RidgeWalk & Run on Alma Hill.

RidgeWalk & Run continued on PAGE 4

David Gardner receives Arc New York 2026 Self-Advocate of the Year Award

David Gardner of The Arc Allegany-Steuben received The Arc New York 2026 Self-Advocate of the Year Award.

Photo provided

WELLSVILLE — Self-advocacy is at the heart of The Arc’s mission to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in making their own choices and creating meaningful lives in their communities. David Gardner of The Arc Allegany-Steuben has been named the recipient of The Arc New York 2026 Self-Advocate of the Year Award, recognizing his leadership, advocacy, determination, and commitment to em-

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powering others with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/ DD). Gardner was nominated for the award by Kristen Babbitt, who has served as his advocacy advisor through The Arc Allegany-Steuben’s Incredible Voice self-advocacy group for the past two and a half years. The Self-Advocate of the Year Award honors people with I/DD who not only benefit from The Arc New York’s services but also ac-

tively help shape those services and improve outcomes for others. The award recognizes people who demonstrate leadership, advocacy, self-determination, and a commitment to helping their peers find their voices and advocate for themselves. Gardner embodies all of these qualities. He previously served as president of Incredible Angels and as president of the Self-Advocacy Gardner Award continued on PAGE 4

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October 23, 2026

allegany county Community Source

Downtown projects bring $725,000 classifieds investment to Wellsville BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE — Fifteen downtown improvement projects are moving forward through the New York Forward Small Project Fund, representing an estimated $725,000 in combined grant funding and private investment in the village. The projects will receive $440,000 in awards, supplemented by approximately $285,000 from property owners. Improvements include new windows, painting and other façade work, infrastructure upgrades at commercial and residential rental properties along Main Street, and equipment purchases. Several projects are already underway, Mayor Ed Fahs reported at a recent village board meeting. “This is the kind of investment that you can see and feel right here in our community,”

Fahs said. “We’re very grateful for the New York Forward funding and for the Wellsville Economic Development Board’s work to secure these dollars for our community.” The Small Project Fund was established as part of Wellsville’s larger New York Forward grant to support smaller projects that contribute to downtown revitalization. “Our local property and business owners are putting their own time, money, and pride into these projects, and the grant funding helps them take those investments a little further,” Fahs said. “When you put 15 projects like this together, it really starts to add up and make a difference.” Additional improvements are expected to take shape over the next year. Downtown signage and village gateways also drew discussion at

Photo by Kathryn Ross The alley running between Pearl Street and Jefferson Street and behind Main Street businesses and the former Municipal Building will be paved by the village.

the board meeting. Fahs said a brief tour of Main Street helped identify signs that need replacement or updating. The village received grant funding for signage and improvements at State Street and the

Arterial through its Gateway Project. Fahs said work at that location is expected to begin this fall and will include new signs. Board members also discussed the decorative ironwork atop the

“Welcome to Wellsville” signs at the Madison Street and Arterial gateway. Fahs said the metal had caused rust stains on the light-colored concrete. Trustees and Department of Public Works Superintendent Brad Mattison agreed with removing it. Mattison said the stains could be cleaned, and the board approved a resolution directing the DPW to remove the

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Respond promptly to assigned maintenance requests and work orders; assess the issue, complete repairs when within the scope of the position, and communicate delays or vendor needs to management. • Document work performed, materials used, follow-up required, and completion of work orders in the company’s designated system. • Perform routine and preventive maintenance of apartments, common areas, building systems, grounds, and property equipment. • Prepare vacant apartments for occupancy, including repairs, patching, painting, cleaning, appliance checks, fixture replacement, and correction of health and safety items. • Perform basic carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing, electrical, appliance, hardware, door, window, screen, and fixture repairs within the employee’s training and authorization. • Inspect, clean, troubleshoot, and replace appliances and other property equipment as appropriate; coordinate licensed or specialized vendors when required. • Assist with hot water tank maintenance, flushing, repair, and replacement when qualified and authorized to do so. • Conduct property, unit, building, and grounds inspections as assigned and assist management with correction of deficiencies identified through company, agency, lender, insurance, or regulatory inspections. • Maintain common areas, including lobbies, laundry rooms, hallways, offices, entrances, and other shared spaces, according to property schedules and needs. • Perform grounds and seasonal maintenance, including mowing, trimming, planting, leaf removal, trash pickup, snow removal, ice control, and care of playground where applicable. • Move trash and recycling containers and maintain dumpster, trash, storage, shop, and maintenance areas in a clean and orderly condition. • Operate hand tools, power tools, lawn equipment, snow-removal equipment, ladders, and other maintenance equipment safely and in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company safety procedures. • Maintain an organized inventory of tools, keys, parts, supplies, and materials; report needed purchases or damaged equipment to the supervisor. • Coordinate access and communicate professionally with residents regarding scheduled or emergency maintenance, while respecting resident privacy and company communication policies. • Assist with emergency maintenance and participate in the after-hours/on-call rotation as assigned based on property and regional needs. • Report immediately any unsafe condition, suspected water leak, fire/life-safety issue, environmental concern, property damage, resident emergency, or other condition requiring management attention. • Follow all company safety procedures and applicable OSHA requirements, including required use of personal protective equipment. • Perform other maintenance, cleaning, grounds, inspection, or property-related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Prior apartment maintenance, building maintenance, construction, grounds, or related experience preferred. Working knowledge of basic carpentry, painting, drywall, plumbing, electrical, appliance, and general building maintenance practices. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, OSHA, pool, or other relevant certifications are preferred when applicable to the property. Ability to identify when work requires a licensed contractor or specialized vendor and to promptly notify management. Ability to read and follow work orders, safety instructions, equipment manuals, property procedures, and written directions. Strong organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate professionally with residents, coworkers, supervisors, vendors, and agency representatives. Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple assignments, and respond appropriately to urgent maintenance needs. Basic ability to use a smartphone, email, work-order software, and other company-required technology. LICENSE, VEHICLE, AND SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS Valid New York State driver’s license acceptable under company driving requirements at the time of hire and throughout employment. Reliable access to transportation as required to perform assigned job duties and travel between properties when directed. Ability to work overtime, irregular hours, weekends, holidays, or emergency call-outs when required. Must respond to company-designated after-hours. PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, climb stairs and ladders, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive physical tasks for extended periods. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without assistance; heavier items must be handled with appropriate assistance or equipment. Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and temperatures. 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Please send or drop off resume at Alfred Housing Committee, Inc., 23 North Main Street, Suite 4, Wellsville, NY 14895

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decorative iron fencing. In other property matters, Trustee Tim Colligan reported that MACE, the village’s code enforcement agency, had investigated complaints about properties on Brooklyn Avenue, Scott Avenue and at 96 Railroad Avenue. Cleanup work is progressing, he said. Residents were also reminded that information about projects requiring building permits under New York state law is available on the village website. The board approved Colligan’s requests for purchases related to water line replacement, at a cost not to exceed $50,000, and a new landfill pump costing no more than $7,000. Mattison also reported plans to pave the alley between Jefferson and Pearl streets, behind the former Municipal Building and several Main Street businesses. The village and businesses sharing the alley will split the $66,000 project cost. In police business, trustees accepted the resignation of patrol officer Seth Farrand. Police Chief Tim O’Grady said Farrand, who has served with the village department for three years, is leaving to join the Olean Police Department.

Trick or treat hours set Fahs announced that Halloween trick-ortreating in the village will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Participants are advised to visit only homes with porch lights on and to watch for traffic when crossing streets. A Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department representative also announced that Wellsville #3 will participate in a Trunk or Treat event Oct. 22 in the Tops Friendly Markets parking lot. Several other local organizations will join the early evening event. The next village board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at Village Hall on Main Street.

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allegany county Community Source

October 23, 2026

dining & Entertainment

CCE Allegany County to offer ginseng and garlic workshops Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County will offer two hands-on workshops for residents interested in growing American ginseng or garlic. The ginseng program will take place Oct. 29 in Franklinville and the garlic program is set for Nov. 7 in Belmont. The woods cultivated ginseng workshop is 4 to 6 p.m. at Wild Geese Farm in Franklinville. Tracey Testo and Ashley Schoenborn, CCE Columbia-Greene agroforestry educators, will cover site selection, planting, protection

practices and New York state regulations for growing and selling ginseng. Participants will receive an overview of a visual site assessment tool and have an opportunity to prepare

a site and plant seeds. The workshop will take place outdoors, rain, snow or shine. Participants should dress for walking through pasture and forest and be prepared for a quarter-mile walk across

varied terrain. There is no fee to attend, but preregistration is requested by Oct. 27 at reg.cce.cornell. edu/Ginseng_Workshop_26_202. Ginseng seeds will be available for purchase for $20 per

ounce, payable in cash. For questions, contact Lynn Bliven at (585) 268-7644 ext. 18 or lao3@ cornell.edu. The Garlic 101 Workshop: From Planting to Harvest is set for 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 at the CCE Belmont office, 5435 County Road 48. Presented by agriculture educator Cristian Acosta and CCE Allegany County master gardeners, the workshop will introduce participants to hardneck and softneck garlic, choosing healthy seed garlic, planting techniques and common growing prob-

lems. It will also cover cutting scapes, harvesting, curing and storing the crop. Participants will plant a container of garlic to take home and receive a seed bulb and a step-by-step guide. The cost is $10 per person, including all materials, and space is limited to 20 participants. To register, visit allegany.cce.cornell. edu/events and select the garlic workshop. For questions, contact Acosta at cfa34@cornell. edu or (585) 268-7644 ext. 14.

Alfred State plans Halloween buffet; receives grant for agriculture programs

Photo provided by Alfred State College

Alfred State students will prepare a Halloween treat for guests at their Spooktacular Buffet on Oct. 29.

ALFRED — Alfred State College’s culinary students will host a Halloween buffet Oct. 29, while the college’s agriculture department prepares to develop two programs with a newly

awarded $499,256 state grant. The Spooktacular Halloween Buffet will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wellsville Culinary Arts Building, 2530 River Road. Proceeds

benefit the culinary program’s scholarship fund. The menu includes apple- and feta-stuffed pork loin with pan Alfred State continued on PAGE 4

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allegany county Community Source

October 23, 2026

automotive

That sinking feeling when you replace only one rear cylinder BY RAY MAGLIOZZI

Dear Car Talk: I just had my rear brake cylinder replaced because it had a leak. I did the brake bleed

process, and the brake pedal will get hard but then slowly go back down to the floor. What can cause the brakes to not bleed properly? — Peter

Lack of experience, mostly. First, you say you replaced a rear cylinder. But you have two rear cylinders, Peter. So make sure you bleed the other one, too, to be sure there’s no air in that line. When you try to bleed it, you’ll inevitably snap off the bleeder, which is what happens on old, rusty brake cylinders. Then you can replace that cylinder, too. Next, adjust the rear brakes. If the shoes are too far away from the drums, that could explain a pedal that sinks. Then, check for a leak. That’s easy enough to do. And if you correctly tightened the brake line to the new wheel cylinder, no fluid should be escaping there. Finally, if you’ve correctly bled all the lines, adjusted the brakes, and confirmed there’s no external leak, then the

only remaining explanation is an internal leak. That means you need a master cylinder. A brake master cylinder is essentially a pump. And when they get old, the seals around the pump’s piston (the plunger) break down and allow brake fluid to sneak around it. So instead of pressurizing

the fluid and sending it out to the brakes, the fluid is sneaking around the piston and remaining inside the master cylinder. When that happens, guess what you notice? The brake pedal starts out firm, and then if you keep your foot on it, it slowly sinks to the floor. Hopefully you actu-

ally had a wheel cylinder leak in the first place and a sinking pedal isn’t what led you to get a new one. But in any case, now it’s likely that you need a new master cylinder. And if you’re looking for good news, Peter, at least you may have bled the brakes correctly.

to win. The oldest runner was Mark Wattenberg, 78, of Wellsville, who finished the course in 1 hour and 53 minutes. The youngest competitor on the course was Anna Drozdowski, 21, of Belfast, who ran it in 1 hour and 18 minutes. The 5K Run was won by Hendrick Scott, 14, of Wellsville, who ran it in 23 minutes 30 seconds. The oldest on the course was Cynthia Ripple, 72, of Hornell, who ran it in 41 minutes 18 seconds. The youngest on the

course was C. Shaw, 9, of Wellsville, who ran the course in 33 minutes 26 seconds. The 9-Mile Walk was won by Tosha Malon, 39, of Hornell, who walked the course in 2 hours 19 minutes. The oldest on the walk was Walt Lyons, 85, of East Aurora, who finished the course in 3 hours 22 minutes. The youngest was L. Biddle, 12, of Alma, who walked it in 3 hours 11 minutes. The 6-Mile Walk was won by Madelynn Scott, 15, of Bolivar, in 1 hour 27 minutes. The oldest on the course was Wanda Dean, 89, of Wellsville, who walked it in 4 hours 8 minutes. The youngest on the course was L. Fanton, 7, of Wellsville who walked it in 3 hours 15 minutes.

Across the town and village of Wellsville, where 13 of the 27 artists taking part in the 38th Annual Artisans Tour, were located — from Rich Saupe’s Florida Avenue studio to Sue Johnson’s Proctor Road

quilt shop — the artists reported good crowds throughout the weekend. With his acrylic and airbrush renderings of local buildings, landscapes, aircraft and cars, Saupe said his weekend visitors helped celebrate his 50 years as an artist. On the other side of the village, stained-glass artist Kim Kasperski said the small studio she shares with Bill Cavanaugh was oftentimes too crowded for her to show off their works. She said visitors came by the carload, and if you didn’t get in to see her, the shop will be open for the upcoming Holly Trail. In the town, on Proctor Road, Sue Johnson spent the day in her studio explaining how her long-arm quilting machine works. She also reported large crowds on Saturday and very little downtime on Sunday. Johnson will also be part of the Holly Trail on Nov. 13, 14 and 15. The county’s big weekend ended on a high note, with a higher than expected number of guests and temperature.

ture which will allow us to teach new skills to current and aspiring professionals in agriculture fields.” State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said the grant program supports training and career opportunities to help meet demand for New York agricultural products

and attract and retain workers. Alfred State’s proposal was selected from a pool of 45 applicants. Grant awards ranged from $50,000 to $500,000, with recipients required to provide a minimum 20 percent match through their own resources, in-kind services or both.

➡RidgeWalk & Run continued from PAGE 1

Photo by Kathryn Ross Visitors view Rich Saupe’s artwork on the Artisans Tour in Wellsville.

➡Gardner Award continued from PAGE 1 Association of New York State (SANYS) Board. Through his own journey, he has worked hard to achieve his goals, build his confidence, find his voice, and speak up for himself and others. He continues to encourage those around him to believe in themselves, advocate for what they want and need, and pursue their own goals.

“David has always been a determined self-advocate for himself and advocate for others, without much recognition, nor did he ask for it,” Babbitt said. “For the last two and a half years I have been fortunate enough to be David’s advocacy advisor in our self-advocacy group, Incredible Voice. “I have seen him grow his confidence and speak up even

more,” she added. “He deserved to finally be recognized as the strong, confident and amazing advocate he is.” Gardner was both touched by the recognition, saying, “I was honored and very surprised.” The award celebration became an especially meaningful moment him and those who have supported

him throughout his journey. After watching a dedication video celebrating Gardner and his accomplishments, he, Babbitt and Anna, David’s staff member of more than 20 years, were near tears. For Gardner, the video was a powerful reminder of just how many people care about him and believe in all that he is capable of achieving.

to support programs that prepare people for jobs in New York’s agriculture and food sectors. Alfred State will use its award to establish a nine-month Data Integrated Animal Production Systems Technician certificate and a 15-week microcredential in Agricultural Data Management. Agriculture and

Veterinary Technology Chair Dr. Phil Schroeder and Agriculture Assistant Professor Patricia Eshelman will lead the effort. “We are excited to develop and implement these new programs,” Schroeder said. “We are grateful for the support from the NY Department of Agricul-

Allegany Artisans Tour

➡Alfred State continued from PAGE 3 sauce, “Bat Wings,” cheese ravioli with butternut squash and sage brown butter, “Graveyard Ghoulash,” stuffed shells and assorted flatbreads. Pumpkin soup, a seasonal salad bar and desserts will round out the meal. Admission is $20, with cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling Mary Ellen Wood at (607) 587-3170.

ASC ag and food program grant Alfred State was named one of 10 organizations receiving Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grants. The state awarded $3 million

allegany county Community Source

October 23, 2026

Scio school board sets December vote on $5.7M capital project SCIO — Scio Central School District voters will decide Dec. 17 whether to authorize a capital improvement project costing up to $5.7 million, following action by the Board of Education at its Oct. 14 meeting. The proposed work includes reconstruction, renovations and improvements to the main school building and bus garage, along with fuel island upgrades. Voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m. in the Rigby Gymnasium foyer at the school, 3968 Washington St. The financing proposal calls for using $300,000 from the district’s Capital Reserve Fund and authorizing up to $5.4 million in bonds and notes. The proposition also authorizes taxes to repay the borrowing, taking state aid and reserve funds into account. The meeting minutes do not

provide an estimated tax impact for property owners. Board members also adopted a resolution classifying the project as a Type II action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. According to the resolution, the work involves existing facilities without substantial changes or expansion beyond

10,000 square feet, and no further environmental review action is required. Applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be available through the district clerk’s office during weekday business hours, excluding holidays. Applications must reach the clerk at least seven days before

the vote if a ballot is to be mailed, or by the preceding day for in-person issuance. Completed ballots must arrive by 5 p.m. Dec. 17. In personnel business, the board created a civil service technology director position for up to 90 days annually and provisionally appointed Amanda McDonnell, effective Oct. 15. A related agreement with the Scio Central School Teachers Association transfers duties previously assigned to the computer coordinator and summer computer coordinator to the technology director. Day-to-day management of PowerSchool is excluded from that transfer. Nicholas Rizzo received a conditional appointment as a physical education teacher for a four-year probationary period running from Sept. 16 through Sept. 15, 2030. His salary

will follow the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement. The board also approved additions to the substitute list and a Houghton University student teacher placement for Jackson Collins.

IN OTHER ACTION: • For the Extended School Day Program, board members approved substitute pay rates effective July 1. Certified teachers or teaching assistants serving as program leaders will receive $30 per hour, while noncertified teacher program leaders will receive $22 per hour. Substitute school aides will receive minimum wage. • The board established standard workdays for extended school day employees for state retirement report-

ing and approved a sick leave bank agreement covering personnel who are not affiliated with a union. • Interim Superintendent Chuck Leichner reported that the district may host an FBI presentation in November titled “Digital Danger – Hidden Risks Facing Our Youth.” School Security Officer Craig Cornell brought the online safety presentation to the district’s attention. • Student board representatives Noah Roberts and Ronan Ayres reported interest in opening the weight room for morning use and said logistics were being explored. They also shared updates on college visits, Homecoming activities and the approaching conclusion of fall sports.

National Grid’s winter forecast:

Will Upstate NY customers see another round of high utility bills? Not exactly. But last winter’s higher costs are not melting away. This time, utility bills are expected to remain more stable than they did last winter, National Grid officials said today in a forecast update. At the same time, average bills are expected to be on par with last winter’s costs.

SYRACUSE (TNS) — Last winter, National Grid bills across Upstate New York jumped by more than $100 per customer in just three months because of higher rates, lower supplies and frigid weather. Will this winter deliver the same utility cost shocks to customers?

PICTURE PERFECT, NOW

In other words, the utility is predicting we’ll all pay about the same as we did from November 2025 to March 2026. That’s because natural gas supplies are strong heading into winter, helping push supply prices lower. But customers won’t see much of those savings because National Grid’s delivery charges are rising under a rate plan approved by state regulators last year. The plan raises electric and gas delivery rates about 20% over three years. A typical Upstate New York gas customer is expected to spend about $803 from November through March, according to National Grid’s winter forecast released Wednesday. That’s just $9 less than last winter. The reason the savings are so small: The

Syracuse.com/TNS National Grid expects lower energy supply prices this winter, but higher delivery charges will offset much of those savings for customers.

cost of the gas is expected to fall by about $100, while the cost of deliverNational Grid continued on PAGE 8

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October 23, 2026

allegany county Community Source

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Halloween gets a little sweeter Candy and other sweets are enjoyed in full force on Halloween. Whether trick-or-treaters are scouring the town looking to increase their treasure trove or guests are spending time at a party circling

the dessert table, there are plenty of options to indulge a sweet tooth or two. Making something decadent at home to share on Halloween is relatively simple when choosing a simple candy

to create. Try this recipe for “Cheesecake Truffles” from “Jane’s Patisserie” (Sourcebooks) by Jane Dunn.

Cheesecake Truffles Makes 25 • 300 grams (10 ounces) full-fat soft cheese, like cream cheese or mascarpone • 50 grams (2 ounces) icing sugar • 176 grams (6 ounces) biscuit (cookie) crumbs, finely crushed Decoration • 200 grams (7 ounces) milk chocolate, melted

• 50 grams (2 ounces) biscuit (cookie) crumbs, finely crushed Add the soft cheese to a bowl and mix briefly until smooth before adding the icing sugar and briefly mixing again until combined. Pour the crushed biscuit crumbs into the mix and fold together until combined. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours. Take the chilled mixture out of the fridge and scoop into truffle shapes using 2 teaspoons or a melon baller, then place onto a

tray lined with parchment paper. Return the truffles to the fridge for another hour, or the freezer for 30 minutes. To decorate the truffles, carefully dip each into the melted chocolate and place back onto the lined tray. You can use small spoons or forks to help with this. Once dipped, sprinkle the tops with the extra crushed biscuits.

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allegany county Community Source

October 23, 2026

home improvement

Tips to reduce utility costs around the house The cost of goods and services has risen considerably in recent years. Food and fuel costs garner considerable attention, but utilities also are stretching consumers’ budgets. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Adminstration indicates that electricity costs have increased by approximately 37 percent since 2020. That’s making it hard for many people to pay their energy bills on time. In fact, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association reports that household energy arrearages, or the amount of money people owe on energy bills past the due date, rose by more than 30 percent between December 2023 and June 2025. That’s a troubling

development in its own right, but perhaps even more so given NEADA projections indicating the cost to heat a home over the winter of 2026-2027 was expected to increase by nearly 9 percent compared to the

year prior. With utility costs rising and a significant number of consumers falling behind on their energy bills, now is a great time to examine ways to reduce utility costs.

• Reconsider your existing lighting. Millions of consumers have replaced incandescent light bulbs and/or compact fluorescent lamps with LED lights in their homes. According to the energy experts at Reliant®, a single traditional incandescent bulb uses around 60 watts, while an LED bulb requires between eight to 12 watts to produce the same amount of light. By switching to the more efficient LED bulbs, consumers can reduce their energy consumption and thus reduce their monthly utility bills. continued on PAGE 8

October 23, 2026

allegany county Community Source

home improvement • Identify and address devices consuming energy when not in use. Some electronics may be characterized as “vampires” because they are consuming energy even when they are not being used. Kitchen appliances, DVRs and even computers may be silently increasing your energy consumption even when they’re not being used. But consumers need not worry they need to unplug everything each day in order to cut their utility costs. Advanced power

strips are smart surge protectors that can reduce vampire energy consumption because they automatically turn off ancillary devices like cable boxes when a primary electronic device like a television is turned off. • Adjust your water heater temperature. The United States Department of Energy reports that water heating accounts for roughly 18 percent of a home’s annual utility costs. That’s a sizable percentage, and many people may be overspend-

ing by setting the temperature on their water heaters too high. Energy experts note manufacturers typically set water heater temperatures at 140 F. However, reducing that temperature to 120 F can help consumers reduce their water heating energy consumption by more than 20 percent in some households.

filters are not regularly replaced, furnaces and air conditioners are forced to work harder to move air throughout a home. That extra work results in greater energy consumption and, ultimately, higher energy bills. The HVAC experts at Carrier recommend changing air filters every 30 to 90 days.

• Pay attention to HVAC filters. HVAC filters are easy to overlook, but dirty filters can result in considerably higher utility bills. When

Utility costs have been outpacing inflation for years, but consumers can embrace various strategies to lower their monthly energy consumption.

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Mobile computer labs to bring free tech training to Allegany, Cattaraugus counties A new mobile computer lab initiative will bring free technology access and digital skills training to Allegany, Cattaraugus and four other Western New York counties, supported by a $644,230 state grant. Literacy West NY Inc. is launching Rural Spark-Ed, a program designed to bring com-

puters, internet access and individualized technology assistance directly into rural communities. The initiative will serve Cattaraugus, Allegany, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties through a grant from Empire State Development’s Connec-

tALL division. Literacy West NY will lead the project in partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County. The mobile labs will travel to libraries, community centers, schools, municipal buildings and other gathering places, offering assistance with basic computer and internet skills, email,

job searches, resumes, online applications, education, telehealth services and accessing government resources. “This is an exciting opportunity to bring technology directly into rural communities and make digital access easier, more practical, and more personal,” said Lisa Lee, CEO of Lit-

eracy West NY. “Rural Spark-Ed gives residents a place to learn, ask questions, build confidence, and get help with the technology they need for work, education, healthcare, and everyday life.” The organization is seeking community partners willing to host the mobile labs by pro-

viding space, electricity and regularly scheduled access. Specific locations, schedules and learning opportunities will be announced as host sites are established. Organizations interested in participating may contact Lee at (585) 268-5213 or llee@lwny. org.

National Grid bases its winter weather estimate on a 30-year average of temperatures. For natural gas, the utility assumes a typical customer will use 713 therms from Nov. 1 through March 31. Of the projected $803 bill, about $304 would cover the gas itself and $499 would cover delivery. National Grid does not mark up the natural gas it buys for customers. The company passes the cost along through the supply portion of customers’ bills. The utility also buys some gas ahead of time and uses storage and contracts that lock in some prices. That

helps limit the effect of sudden swings in the wholesale market. The United States is heading into winter with a strong supply of natural gas. U.S. natural gas production is expected to average a record 112 billion cubic feet per day this year, about 4% more than last year, according to federal projections cited by Richard Meyer, vice president of energy analysis, markets and standards for the American Gas Association, an industry trade group. Demand is also growing, Meyer said, but production has been rising faster. That has helped put more gas

into storage ahead of winter. In the Eastern United States, including New York, natural gas inventories are projected to enter November nearly 5% above the five-year average. Meyer said it would be the region’s highest end-of-October inventory since 2012. Prices, meanwhile, are expected to drop. The federal Energy Information Administration expects the benchmark price for natural gas to average $3.43 per million British thermal units from November through March, Meyer said. That’s 24% lower than last winter. But having plenty of

gas nationwide and being able to move enough of it into New York during extreme cold are two different things. “Do we have the supply and the delivery capability to serve customers not just across the entire year, but especially during severe cold?” Meyer said. Last winter provided an extreme example of that risk. Meyer said Winter Storm Fern produced the highest U.S. natural gas demand ever recorded over a seven-day period. “It wasn’t just a high peak day, but a long period of sustained cold,” Meyer said.

➡National Grid continued from PAGE 5 ing it will rise by $92. Electric customers will see a similar split, but with a higher bill at the end. A typical Upstate customer is expected to spend about $761 on electricity over the fivemonth period, $36 more than last winter. Supply costs are expected to fall by $29, while delivery costs are expected to rise by $64. National Grid attributed the higher delivery charges for both gas and electricity to its new rate plan approved last year by the state’s Public Service Commission. The forecasts assume normal winter weath-

er and typical energy use. A long stretch of bitter cold, like the one Upstate saw last winter, could change the picture. “Last winter was colder than normal and we saw a period of greater usage and higher than forecasted bills,” said Jared Paventi, a National Grid communications manager. New York could be in for a milder winter overall as a potentially very strong El Niño shapes weather across the country. But that doesn’t rule out short bursts of bitter cold, which could still drive up heating demand and energy prices.