The Grand Island Conservative Party invites all residents of Grand Island to an evening with State Sen. Mark Grisanti at the Buffalo Launch Club, 503 E. River Road, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27.

The Miracle League of Grand Island & WNY would like to thank Larry and Jayne Playfair for giving us the opportunity to sell the 50/50 raffle tickets at the World Junior Games at HSBC Arena on Dec. 26 and 31.

The Grand Island Alumni Association will host its fourth annual Comedy Night on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Holiday Inn Grand Island.

Grand Island Fire Chief Kevin Koch reminds residents that the new vehicular and traffic legislation, effective Jan. 1, requires drivers to move over for "stopped, parked or standing" emergency vehicles.

An agreement reached this week begins a process of turning a longtime Island eyesore into a gateway.

Grand Island's Relay For Life committee rolled out a red carpet in kicking off the 2011 edition of the annual American Cancer Society fundraiser. The Island also discovered a new star in its honorary survivor.

If you're looking for a volunteer experience where you can have a direct impact on the quality of life for elderly people living in long term care facilities, consider becoming a Niagara County ombudsman.

At the Monday evening meeting of the Grand Island Board of Education, Superintendent Robert Christmann announced that official discussions for the 2011-12 school budget will begin at the next board meeting later in January.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick administered the oath of office to newly elected Grand Island Fire Co. officers on Saturday, Jan. 8, at fire headquarters. Both firematic and administra­tive officers were sworn to uphold their future community protection duties.

The gymnasium at St. Stephen School is reserved for the local/Council 4752 championship, the first level of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, on Saturday, Jan. 15.

According to the National Fire Protection Association Division of Fire Analysis and Research, 40 percent of all home structure fires and 36 percent of occupant injuries are caused by cooking equipment. In addition, 59 percent of those injured tried to put out the fire themselves. Grand Island Fire Co. Chief Kevin Koch and his Grand Island firefighters are well aware of these life-threatening complications when handling these particular fire situations.

Mighty Taco officials said the local restaurant chain didn't choose to open its newest location on Grand Island. "Grand Island chose us," explained Russ Jasulevich, chief operating officer of Mighty Taco.

New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti will hold his first-ever "Listening Tour" beginning on Grand Island next Thursday, Jan. 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Grand Island Knights of Columbus hall, 1841 Whitehaven Road.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins is urging the Erie County Legislature to pass legislation that would extend a local job creation program that his administration claims has financed more than $122 million in new construction and created more than 1,600 jobs.

The third annual Grand Island High School Hockey Alumni event will take place Saturday, Jan. 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion in Niagara Falls.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick, R-District 10, and his staff will be available to meet with residents during three district outreach meetings scheduled in January.

On May 31, family members and friends of Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper traveled to Normandy, France to participate in commemorations for the 66th Anniversary of D-Day. There, they retraced the final steps of Grand Island's Medal of Honor recipient.

This year, for a special holiday treat, the Veronica E. Connor Middle School PTA funded the production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," presented by the Hampstead Stage Theatre Company of New Hampshire. This two-actor traveling show portrayed the traditional story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his interaction with the Cratchit family, as well as the ghosts that change Scrooge's views on others one Christmas Eve.

For the past several months, 40 Grand Island firefighters and others from as far away as Toronto have given up Sundays with their families to attend all-day emergency medical technician training sessions at Grand Island Fire Co. headquarters in order to upgrade their professional skills so they can better serve their communities.

The much-anticipated opening of a Mighty Taco restaurant will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, at its new location in the Grand Island Plaza.

Town of Grand Island Supervisor Peter McMahon has been appointed a commissioner to the Niagara River Greenway Commission by Gov. David A. Paterson.

A Buffalo man is lucky to be alive after falling through ice and into the Niagara River Saturday.

The Grand Island Neighbors Foundation will distribute hundreds of pounds of food to Island families in need this holiday season.

As she does each year, Grand Island Town Councilwoman Mary Cooke returned to the town's coffers her medical care bonus, which the town offers to those who decline the town's coverage.

BIDCO Marine Group of Grand Island is one of three local firms awarded a contract by the New York Power Authority.

The presents are wrapped, the baking and decorating done. Take the time to find the reason for the season at Niagara Presbyterian Church on the corner of Military and Lockport roads in the Town of Niagara.

Students from Grand Island High School gave back to their community Tuesday by lending a hand to the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation Christmas food drive.

It's a win-win situation when middle schoolers and elementary students can team up to benefit their larger community.

Grand Island's entry into Section VI Federation hockey began with a 4-1 loss to Amherst Saturday at the Northtown Center in Amherst.

At its annual holiday party on Dec. 7, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce elected seven directors to the board of directors.

The Trinity United Methodist Church's "Holiday Pops Concert" on Dec. 12 included holiday music of the Trinity Chancel Choir, as well as the Trinity Tollers, Trinity Tollers Quintet, the Trinity Chamber Orchestra, and Trinity Orchestra.

The Cancer Services Program of Niagara County is offering a special incentive to those who get their cancer screening during the holiday season. A $10 Budwey's gift card will be given to those who complete their breast, cervical and/or colorectal cancer screening through the county's Department of Health Cancer Services Program.

VA Western New York Healthcare System is seeking Volunteers for Batavia and Buffalo sites.