Related Articles

• 
  O.C. Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has Declared a Local State of Emergency in Orange County

  For Immediate Release                                                                      Contact: Rebecca Sheehan
  January 25, 2026                                                                                   Phone: 845.291.2700
   
  In response to the developing winter storm situation in Orange County, County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has declared a "Local State of Emergency" in Orange County, as provided for under the provisions of Article 2-B, Section 24, N.Y.S. Executive Law.
   
  This declaration empowers County officials to temporarily suspend and/or change normal County operating procedures including (but not limited to); saving lives, mitigating property damage, limiting access to impacted areas, and requesting additional assistance from New York State.
   
  Advisory for Residents:
  Residents of Orange County are advised to refrain from being on the roads unless they are deemed "essential personnel." County employees should not report to work unless you are essential. If you are uncertain as to your status, reach out to your department head. All vehicular and pedestrian traffic are prohibited from County roadways except for workers designated by medical, law enforcement, and municipalities as essential and traveling to and from work, as well as other officials and employees assisting in the effort to abate the emergency.
   
  County Executive Neuhaus and Orange County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff is continuing to monitor this situation and is ready to implement any procedures necessary to protect the overall safety of all County residents.
   
  Further information/details:
  · Due to the extremely low temperatures, the County's Code Blue is in effect. No one should be out on the streets. We are currently monitoring 80 individuals in shelters. If you are aware of someone who is without housing, or have other non-emergency questions or concerns, please call 311. A list of warming centers available throughout the County is available on the Orange County Government website.
   
  · Municipalities can "piggyback" on County contracts for emergency procurement needs.
   
  · County Government Buildings will be closed to the public on Monday, January 26, 2026, including, the Orange County Government Center, County Clerk, DMV, All Courts, and the Orange County Courthouse.
   
  · Most schools in Orange County have announced closings for tomorrow. If you are uncertain about the status of a particular school district, please check the school district's website and/or social media.
   
  · The Emergency Operations Center has been fully activated since 7:00 a.m. Sunday, January 25, 2026, with multiple community partners on-site, including Central Hudson, Orange and Rockland, Orange County Sheriff's Office, NY State Police, and the County's Emergency Operation's Team and will continue to be fully operational until 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026, and longer if deemed necessary.
   
  · While the snow currently falling is not heavy, there will be a significant volume of it, with ice and sleet a possibility. Please use caution when shoveling, doing snow removal.
   
  "I want to thank County residents for staying home and off the roads, which allows the public works and first responders to do what they have to more efficiently and effectively," stated County Executive Neuhaus. "We have had a limited number of accidents thus far, which is due in large part to your cooperation. I also want to thank my emergency management team, public works personnel, and first responders who are out working to make sure our community stays safe."
   
  Residents are advised to remain informed by monitoring official updates on Orange County Government's website and social media pages:
  https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyGovernment and https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyEmergencyManagement and be ready to follow any safety guidance issued by local authorities. Additional information will be provided as the situation develops.
   
  For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.907.2332 or [email protected].
   
  For general media inquiries, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to the County Executive and Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845-291-2700 or [email protected].
   
  Stay connected with County Executive Neuhaus and Orange County Government on social media:?
  o    Facebook: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus?
  o    Instagram: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus?
  o    X (formerly Twitter): @OCGovNY | @SNeuhausOC?
   
  Be sure to also check out the Blueprint Orange video series, a behind-the-scenes look at the projects, places, and people that make our County a great place to live. And don't miss the newest episode of NeuCast, featuring HONOR, now streaming on the Orange County Government YouTube channel and OrangeCountyGov.com.
   

• 
  Orange County State of Emergency Lifted

  For Immediate Release                                                      

  January 26, 2026                                                                 Contact: Rebecca Sheehan

  845.291.2700 

   

               

  Orange County State of Emergency Lifted

   

  County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has announced that the Local State of Emergency in Orange County will be officially lifted effective at 12:00 Noon today, Monday, January 26th.

   

  Road conditions have significantly improved following sustained clean-up operations by municipal and County public works crews, and travel throughout the County can begin to return to normal. Public works crews will continue to monitor the roadways and address any remaining isolated issues. Residents should continue to give these public servants access to the roadways to continue necessary snow removal work. Parking restrictions associated with the State of Emergency are no longer in effect, unless otherwise posted. Municipal parking restrictions remain in effect for the duration of the State of Emergency issued within that jurisdiction.

   

  “Thanks to the diligent and dedicated hard work of our public works crews and emergency personnel, as well as the patience and cooperation of County residents, we are able to safely lift this State of Emergency,” said Neuhaus. “However, I encourage residents to remain off the roads as much as possible and use caution when traveling, as there are still snow removal operations in progress.”

   

  Further information/details:

   

  ·      The County’s Code Blue remains in effect due to below freezing temperatures. No one should be out on the streets. If you are aware of someone who is without housing, or have other non-emergency questions or concerns, please call 311. A list of warming centers available throughout the County is available on the Orange County Government website.

   

  ·      County Government Buildings remain closed to the public today, Monday, January 26, 2026, including, the Orange County Government Center, County Clerk, DMV, All Courts, and the Orange County Courthouse. All government offices are expected to open on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. County employees need not report to work today, except designated essential workers that have been directed to report to work by a Department Head. County employees are to report to work on regular schedules beginning tomorrow, January 27th.

   

  ·      For information about Orange County school and businesses closures, please check the school district’s or business’ websites and social media.

   

  ·      The Emergency Operations Center has been fully activated since 7:00 a.m. Sunday, January 25, 2026, with multiple community partners on-site, including Central Hudson, Orange and Rockland, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, NY State Police, and the County’s Emergency Operation’s Team and will continue to be fully operational until 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026.

   

  Residents are advised to remain informed by monitoring official updates on Orange County Government’s website and social media pages:

   

  https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyGovernment and https://www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyEmergencyManagement and be ready to follow any safety guidance issued by local authorities. Additional information will be provided as the situation develops.

   

  For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.907.2332 or [email protected].

• ORANGE & ROCKLAND OFFERING ASSISTANCE AS ENERGY MARKET PRICES SURGE 9-9-22

  ORANGE & ROCKLAND OFFERING ASSISTANCE

  AS ENERGY MARKET PRICES SURGE

  Company Reminds Customers of Payment Options, Budget Billing,

  Energy Saving Tips, Energy Efficiency Programs

  PEARL RIVER, NY September 9, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – Orange & Rockland (O&R) is urging customers to take actions now that can help them manage costs this winter as market prices for electricity and natural gas are expected to be substantially higher.

  Though summer is still winding down, Orange & Rockland, recognizing the hardship high bills can impose, is letting customers know what they can expect for energy costs in the winter of 2022-23 and steps they can take to soften the impact.

  The company offers Tips for Lowering Your Energy Bill and a number of Payment Plans and Assistance, including Budget Billing, which smooths customers’ costs out throughout the year. The company encourages customers to check out its energy efficiency incentives for upgrades customers make to their homes. Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Credits

   

  Utility companies and customers across the Northeast are facing similar circumstances. The increases in customers’ bills are mainly due to increases in the market cost of natural gas, which is volatile and influences electric market costs.

  The company currently projects that its average residential natural gas heating customer using an average of 158 ccfs per month will pay $337 a month from November 2022 to March 2023, 44 percent more than the average bill of $234 a year earlier.

  Orange & Rockland buys natural gas and electricity on the wholesale markets and uses a variety of strategies to stabilize pricing for customers. The company does not set supply costs and does not make a profit on the supply.

  Higher natural gas prices also affect the cost of electricity since power generation plants in the region run mainly on natural gas.

  A typical O&R residential customer using 600 kWh a month this winter will pay about $174, a 28.8 percent increase over last winter’s $135 based on current projections.

  The best strategy for Orange & Rockland’s approximately 358,00 NY energy customers is to carefully manage their usage.

  Customers can save money on energy by using these tips:

  • Set your thermostat at the lowest temperature at which you are comfortable and safe. Whether you are using a gas furnace or an electric heat pump, each degree lower decreases heating costs. 
  • Make sure heating vents are not blocked by furniture, carpeting or anything else that could obstruct the flow of heat.
  • Have a qualified contractor clean and inspect your heating system.
  • Insulate hot-water pipes and warm-air ducts that pass through unheated areas. Clean or replace filters for your hot-air furnace and heat-pump.
  • Swap out window shades seasonally. Light-colored window coverings reflect the sun's energy, while darker ones absorb it and release heat.
  • Replace conventional light bulbs with LED bulbs, which are up to 10 times more efficient and are widely available and affordable.

  The company offers help for customers who are struggling with their bills. Orange & Rockland can put customers on Payment Plans and Assistance, so that they can pay off balances over time, rather than all at once.

  Orange & Rockland also is implementing the New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program, which the company helped design and propose. Under that program, residential customers who receive qualifying government assistance will receive a bill credit on their past-due balance for service through May 1, 2022.

   

  If you are enrolled in Orange & Rockland’s Energy Affordability Program or received Emergency Rental Assistance Program or Home Energy Assistance Program-Regular Arrears Supplement benefits, your bill credit will be processed automatically, and you do not need to take any action. In addition, your service will not be suspended for non-payment while your bill credit is being processed.

  Customers who receive benefits from certain government programs may qualify for discounts on their monthly energy bills. Orange & Rockland offers information on these and other Payment Plans and Assistance it has available for customers.

  The company’s information campaign to keep customers informed about winter bills will include press outreach, e-mails, bill inserts, social media postings, conversations with elected officials and other communications.

  Orange & Rockland also notes that energy costs are changing quickly with significant shifts daily. The company will continue to refine its winter pricing forecast. Natural gas supplies are expected to remain tight this winter, and any disruptions from interstate gas transmission providers could further constrain supplies. O&R remains vigilant in its monitoring of operational conditions.

  About Orange & Rockland

  Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), also a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., is a regulated utility. O&R provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange & Rockland) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company) and natural gas service to approximately 130,000 customers in New York. 

• The Orange County Department of Motor Vehicle offices will be closed beginning Thursday, February 12th, 2026

  Orange County Clerk, Kelly A. Eskew, announces all Orange County DMV’s will be temporarily closed for the new State licensing modernization program.

  The Orange County Department of Motor Vehicle offices will be closed beginning Thursday, February 12^th, 2026(President’s Holiday) and is tentatively scheduled to reopen on Wednesday February 18, 2026, at 9:00am.

  County Clerk Kelly A. Eskew encourages residents to make necessary arrangements in advance due to the upcoming New York Statewide DMV closure, beginning on Friday February 13, 2026. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles will be implementing the new Licensing DRIVES application. During this time all DMV transactions, including in-person, online and telephone services, will be temporarily unavailable while the large-scale system upgrade is completed. The office will reopen to the public as soon as the State confirms system readiness and we will communicate any changes to the reopening schedule.

  During the initial weeks following reopening, please allow extra time for your transactions to be completed as staff and customers adjust to the new system. Your patience and understanding during this transition are greatly appreciated.

  Please note: This DMV closure will not affect the other operations of the Orange County Clerk’s Office, which will remain open for all non-DMV services.

     

• 
  Town Board Re-Org Meeting and Special Joint meeting with Palm Tree Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM (Monroe Town Hall 1465 Orange Tpke., Monroe)

  Town Board Re-Org Meeting and Special Joint meeting with Palm Tree  Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM (Monroe Town Hall 1465 Orange Tpke., Monroe)

  Please click link below to view Agenda.
  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w1s0rdxj368755v1uzu99/Agenda-Packet-January-5-2026-Re-Org-Meeting-and-Joint-Special-Meeting-with-Palm-Tree-2.pdf?rlkey=y0t25iionckpci74hn5p2r07s&st=4p1r2dv7&dl=0

• 
  Beat the Heat with Orange & Rockland Utilities' Cool Tips

  Click HERE to learn more about how to Beat the Heat with Orange & Rockland Utilities' Cool Tips.