Saturday just after 9 a.m., a sudden gust of wind that one resident estimated at 60 mph toppled a tree across East River Road, blocking the roadway.

The Island held its 11th annual Patriot Day ceremony Tuesday at the Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9249.

Meet the Teacher Day on Sept. 7 drew children to Jack and Jill Preschool 3s class.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto has announced the Conservative Party of New York endorsed him. This gives Ceretto the backing of the Republican, Independence and Conservative parties.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has endorsed the re-election bid of Western New York State Sen. Mark J. Grisanti, R-I-Buffalo, the Grisanti campaign announced Tuesday.

The start of the school year marks the beginning of rehearsals for the Greater Niagara Ballet Company's presentation of "The Nutcracker." The family-oriented holiday production showcases dancers and character performers under the direction of artistic director Beverley Feder, FISTD.

The Business Council of New York State Inc. has released its 2012 Voters' Guide, which measures New York State legislators' commitment to promoting fiscal reform and improving the state's economic climate by scoring their votes on key legislation during the 2012 session.

Susan Zinter and Sheila Daminski have joined their unique and knowledgeable backgrounds and decided now was the time to go into business together.

St. Stephen School opened for the 2012-13 school year on Tuesday with a half day of classes.

A big-screen television was dedicated in memory of Library Trustee and Friends of the Grand Island Memorial Library Treasurer Scott Smith.

Grand Island shook off some nerves and beat Kenmore East 26-14 in the first Section VI football game of the season on Sept. 1.

The Grand Island Town Board issued a pair of proclamations at its meeting on Tuesday.

The first recognized the 50th anniversary of the Grand Island Historical Society.

Kaegebein Elementary School recognized a group of unsung heroes in education Thursday.

A committee has been formed to plan a new parade on Grand Island.

Grand Island Fire Chief Kevin Koch reports that Grand Island firefighter/medics have had to contend with five motor vehicle accidents within the three-day period from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. He noted that this disturbing pattern of frequent MVAs has persisted since a July 9 triple fatality on the I-190.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Hochul was joined Thursday by Maureen Smith, deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and by representatives of World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in announcing a $218,771 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce was awarded to WTCBN as part of a $682,000 cooperative award.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto announced Friday his support for the $67 million bond for the Niagara Falls School District. Residents of Niagara Falls will have the opportunity to vote on the bond Sept. 25.

Founded in 1954, Buffalo Exterminating is the area's oldest locally owned pest management company. The company has a service center on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Wheatfield for fast, responsive service to residents of Niagara County.

A pair of Grand Island High School alumni are lending their expertise to the ongoing Grand Island Mural Project.

The project, to paint a giant mural on the back of the Grand Island Plaza facing Baseline Road, has received commitments from Grand Island High School Class of 1969 alumni Terry Klaaren and Stan Clifford that the organizer of the project Corey McGowan believes will make the concept a reality.

Robert Christmann, Grand Island superintendent of schools, will serve as the honorary chairperson of this year's Grand Island CROP Walk. The Sunday, Oct. 14, event aims to help stop hunger and poverty on Grand Island and around the world.

Grand Island football coach Dean Santorio was "pretty happy overall" with his team after the Vikings' first live action of the season Saturday.

Grand Island Fire Co. Chief Kevin Koch reports that several Grand Island firefighters recently completed a special school bus extrication course, which better prepared responders facing a mass casualty incident involving children and their support staff - drivers, monitors, etc.

Returning students at Charlotte Sidway Elementary School and physical education teacher Kelly Greene greeted each other on the first day of school Wednesday. See more photos from the first day of school at Sidway on the Picture Page. (photo by Larry Austin)

At 12:41 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, Grand Island Fire Co. rescue personnel responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Baseline and Alvin roads. The force of the impact caused one of the vehicles to roll over, although the driver was able to escape from the wreckage prior to the arrival of responders, according to Deputy Fire Chief Matt Osinski.

The town's six-week long water advisory has come to an end.

A press release from Town Supervisor Mary Cooke's office Aug. 21 said the Town Board "is pleased to report we are past the need for voluntary restriction of water consumption. Adequate pressure is now being maintained in the system for effective firefighting, and everyday domestic use. We are grateful to Grand Island residents for their attention to the recent restrictions, and their responsive actions of being conservative and thoughtful with their water use."

State Assembly candidate Robert M. Restaino was joined Aug. 17 by the Western New York congressional delegation at a campaign rally at the Town of Niagara Active Hose Volunteer Fire Co. to outline his platform of responsible economic development and common sense reform of New York's Medicaid and education systems.

Assemblyman John Ceretto has received the endorsement of the New York State United Teachers in his bid for re-election to the State Assembly.

The Family & Friends Down Syndrome Association Niagara Inc. announces the 16th annual Buddy Walk of Buffalo Niagara, a benefit for people with Down syndrome, will be held Saturday, Sept. 8.

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper is recruiting volunteers to join the fall "Shoreline Sweep" on Saturday, Sept. 22. "Sweep up" from 9 a.m. to noon at one of more than 25 parks and green spaces along the Buffalo Niagara shorelines.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, sent a letter Monday to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to express his concerns over the legislative leader's support for Assembly bill 10807, which would allow illegal aliens who "meet certain criteria" to receive higher education subsidies at taxpayer expense.

Assemblyman Dennis Gabryzak, D-Cheektowaga, and State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-North Buffalo, announced Monday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed into law legislation that would require cities and employers of firefighters to provide emergency escape systems for all firefighters.

Grand Island High School kept the tradition alive Saturday in Lewiston by winning the high school Chalk Walk competition at the Lewiston Art Festival for the third year in a row.

At the regular meeting of the Grand Island Board of Education Monday evening, trustees voted 5-2 to rescind the approval for tenure for Kerri Nowak, principal of Huth Road School. Nowak's tenure would have officially begun with her first 2012-13 day of service toward the end of this month. Instead, her probationary period is extended for one year.

Shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, Grand Island Fire Co. rescue personnel responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer and passenger vehicle at the intersection of the Beaver Island South State Parkway and Bush Road.

At 8:36 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, Grand Island Fire Co. rescue personnel responded to a three-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Baseline and Love roads. The force of the impact caused a rollover of two of the vehicles, according to Deputy Fire Chief Matt Osinski.

Stories from this week's issue of the Dispatch 40, 30, 20, and 10 years ago.

Members of the Grand Island Lions Club will conduct their annual White Cane Days on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24 and 25.

One of Niagara County's biggest events of the year, the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival takes place Sept. 7-9 at Academy Park. A highlight of the festival is the grand midway featuring rides fit for all ages.

Niagara Frontier Publications is giving away three booklets of Peach Festival ride tickets.