The Alex Friesen Summer Nationals is a highly coveted event within the northeast short track modified fold. Offering some of the biggest paydays for the 358 Modified competitors, the Alex Friesen Summer Nationals is a must-attend event on many calendars.

The It Happened to Alexa Foundation, founded by Tom and Stacey Branchini, honors the courage of their daughter, Alexa, who survived a traumatic rape by a stranger who broke into her college dormitory the second week of her freshman year. The foundation provides financial, emotional and advocacy assistance to victims who prosecute their attackers.

To honor the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy, the Newfane Saturday Running Group will host a 2.6-mile run/walk/bike/roll on Saturday, April 20, starting at 9 a.m.

The Town of Porter Story invites children in the town to come experience its offerings this spring.

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston voted 4-0 Monday to lessen the tax burden on residents.

Dr. Doug Tewksbury, an assistant professor of communication studies at Niagara University, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to conduct research at the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) in the fall of 2013.

Assemblyman John Ceretto welcomed Anne Welch, the Village of Lewiston clerk/treasurer, and her husband, Bob Welch, Wednesday to the State Capitol and introduced them on the floor of the Assembly Chamber.

Dr. Timothy Ireland has been appointed dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Niagara University, effective June 1.

The public is invited to the Sanborn Area Historical Society's potluck dinner and regular meeting, Tuesday, April 23, at the Sanborn Firehall, 5811 Buffalo St., Sanborn.

Supermarket Liquors and Wines has signed on to be a platinum sponsor for Artpark's 40th anniversary gala on June 1. Owner Chris Castellani has personally donated two bottles of wine from his own collection.

Wild Kritters of Niagara County Inc., an organization that cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, hosts its seventh annual basket raffle Sunday, April 21, at the 3F Conservation Club, 904 Swann Road, Youngstown.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors has accepted applications for assistance from Power Greenhouse Integration LLC for a greenhouse renovation project in the Town of Wheatfield and Plati Niagara Inc. LLC for another new hotel in Niagara Falls.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival on Friday, May 3, at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront.

"From the Mouth of the Lower Niagara River: Stories of Four Historic Communities" was published to commemorate 200 years of peace between Canada and the U.S. The book showcases the rich history of Lewiston, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Queenston and Youngstown.

The Erie Canal Discovery Center has announced local Canalway Trail enthusiast Carol Schmelz was selected to receive the eighth annual Key to the Locks Award on May 4 at 11 a.m. at the Discovery Center in Lockport.

The Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation will hold its third annual reverse draw fundraiser on Wednesday, May 1, at The Como Restaurant, 2220 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls. The event is the continuation of an event that, for 34 years, was conducted by the Temple Beth Israel. In 2011, the leadership of the Temple bestowed the fundraiser to Mount St. Mary's.

Come this summer, look for the Village of Youngstown to make its mark on the lower Niagara like no other time before.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano will celebrate 13 years at Olde Time Barber Shop on Wednesday. To celebrate, the first 500 customers will receive a free comb. As always, haircuts are just $10.

Like baking mozzarella on a pizza pie, rumors have been bubbling as to what will replace Trusello's at 742 Center St. Well, it turns out the former Vincenzo's Pizza site is about to become ... the future Vincenzo's Pizza site.

Imagination Station Child Care Center Inc. owner/operator Carla Fasso has always had a love for children, so opening up her own day care couldn't have been a better avenue to pursue her passion. Imagination Station, located at 902 Seneca St., in the Village of Lewiston, provides child care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.

Haley Maier, a 10-year-old Barker student, put her creative talents to good use recently by crocheting necklaces out of brightly colored ribbon yarn, which she then sold to her classmates, teachers and faculty at Barker Central School.

Perhaps you have heard choruses of those fascinating little critters of nature, and you never knew what you were listening to. I didn't when I first heard tiny peepers about 30 years ago.

The Niagara Falls Country Club, 505 Mountain View Drive in Lewiston, will host an open house on Thursday, May 9, to kick off the spring 2013 season.

Camille Bennett and Angelica Priest, eighth-grade students at Stella Niagara Education Park, were honored at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart annual Scholarship Brunch on Saturday, March 23.

Drainage woes, sewer rates and funding issues were discussion items at Monday's Town of Porter Board meeting.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano has selected Dr. Jerry Mosey as the 2013 Village of Lewiston Citizen of the Year. With an impressive list a mile long of his work and volunteer experience, Mosey enjoys being involved and making a positive impact on area youth.

MA-MA Sales is holding a consignment sale this weekend at the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, 505 Cayuga St.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Niagara presented a "Bowling Blender" Wednesday at the new Lewiston Event Center.

On April 20-21, visitors to Old Fort Niagara will have the opportunity to explore the beginnings of the American Revolution with musket firings, storytelling, living history programs and ceremonies honoring veterans of more modern wars.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano recently issued a proclamation designating Aug. 10-11 as the "Art of Green Weekend."

The silver anniversary Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day conference is on Thursday, May 23. It will feature Western New York professionals and businesses that specialize in services for people with developmental disabilities. The full-day conference will be held at The Conference Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St.

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue took in its first dog rescues recently, adoptions are underway and the organization is growing and needs more volunteers. The public is invited to attend a volunteer/foster meeting this Tuesday, April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lewiston Public Library (Community Room), 305 S. Eighth St.

The second guest speaker in Lewiston Council on the Arts' new Discovery Series is Susanne Schillings, pastry chef and owner of Exclusively Schillings. Her presentation, "Art & Mystery of Chocolate," will take place on Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m., in the Historic Lewiston Opera Hall, 732 Center St.

Two of the most celebrated names in jazz will perform at Artpark's Mainstage Theater as part of the venue's summer-long 40th anniversary celebration: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on June 24, and Chick Corea & The Vigil on Aug. 2.

The Lewiston Lions Club recently welcomed members of the Historical Association of Lewiston.

Claudia Andres was chosen by Mayor Raleigh Reynolds as recipient of the 2013 Youngstown Citizen of the Year award. Andres has been instrumental in helping provide quality programming for Youngstown, from musical programs to the annual Christmas in the Village event.

The Friends of the Youngstown Free Library will host its annual "Desserts and Wine in the Stacks" fundraiser on Friday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Youngstown Free Library, 240 Lockport St. The event is suitable for adults and children.

Bring your preschoolers to take the ride of their lives. Thomas the Tank Engine is pulling into the station for a larger than life experience at Medina Railroad Museum for "Day Out With Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013."

The tax rate in the Village of Lewiston will remain the same for another year.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, in conjunction with The Niagara County Center for Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, Niagara USA Chamber, Town of Niagara IDA and Town of Lockport IDA, are sponsoring a free series of business workshops to be held throughout Niagara County for all current or prospective businesses interested in learning more about various incentive programs offered by local and county economic development agencies