Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Lockport, has announced its award of scholarships to 10 high school student members of the credit union in the amount of $350 each.

It's no secret that students sometimes leave usable items in their wake as the hustle to summer vacation begins. A Niagara University committee is coordinating an effort to put those items to good use.

State Sen. George Maziarz, a member of the Niagara University Class of 1976, was presented with the St. Vincent de Paul Award from his alma mater during commencement services this past weekend.

State Sen. George Maziarz today announced that Richard Soluri of Lewiston will be reappointed as a full member of the Niagara River Greenway Commission.

"Dick Soluri is without comparison when it comes serving the people of the Niagara Region," Maziarz said. "He truly enjoyed his former experiences on the Greenway Commission, and the organization began to make a lasting difference thanks in large part to his leadership."

Soluri previously served as a member and vice chairman of the commission from its inception in 2004-5 until the summer of 2009.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today sent letters to the CEOs of Apple, Google/Motorola, Microsoft, and Samsung seeking information about their efforts to protect customers from the rise in violent street crimes known as "Apple Picking."

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today that the New York State Common Retirement Fund was valued at an estimated $160.4 billion and earned an estimated 10.38 percent rate of return on its investments for the fiscal year ending March 31.

The Lewiston Garden Club members will meet at Hennepin Park, corner of Center and South Fourth streets, at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 20, for the purpose of planting annuals in the park. Members will also be planting at the Lewiston Museum and the Lewiston Public Library.

The University at Buffalo's Office of Economic Development has initiated a series of roundtable discussions with industry members that will pinpoint challenges and guide enhanced relationships between the university and business community in pursuit of economic development.

About 125 runners and walkers came to Youngstown Saturday, May 11, for the 19th annual Nancy Price 5K Race and Walk.

Join the National Association of Women Business Owners Buffalo Niagara and WKBW-TV Wednesday, June 5, as they recognize the 2012-13 Women in Leadership.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-I-60, has introduced a bill that would increase criminal penalties to those who abuse or kill animals during the commission of a felony.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will recognize 10 area individuals and businesses at its annual Chamber Awards Gala, Friday, May 17, at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston.

As part of its 40th anniversary gala, Artpark & Company will hold an auction filled with prizes guests are highly unlikely to find elsewhere.

Students from more than 10 area schools inspired by the anti-bullying spirit will compete for the best musical show in front of "Jersey Boys" cast members and other celebrity judges at the "BAND Against Bullying" multi-school music and arts festival to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at UB's Center for the Arts.

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier honored many of the volunteers and supporters who make its mission possible at its 21st annual Compassion in Action Awards Brunch, hosted Thursday by the LaSalle Yacht Club in Niagara Falls.

When Aaron Sydor receives his undergraduate diploma this Saturday afternoon, his mother, Kathy, won't be waiting at the other side of the stage to congratulate him. Instead, she'll be right behind him, joining her son as a member of the Niagara University Class of 2013.

The New York State Office for the Aging hosted the 2013 Senior Citizens Recognition Day event to honor and recognize the significant contributions made by older volunteers from across the state.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. today launched its 2013 season of summer programming at Canalside and debuted www.canalsidebuffalo.com, a mobile-friendly events calendar. An open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at Canalside.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that his office has secured a settlement with Quest Diagnostics, one of the world's largest providers of medical diagnostic testing, information and services, to ensure that applicants for employment are not automatically disqualified based on prior arrests or criminal convictions and without considering mitigating factors, as required by New York state law.

Erie Community College officials gathered during National Nurses Week to formally announce the largest gift in their school's history - a $1.1 million private donation to benefit its nursing program.

Peregrine's Landing Senior Community and The Clubhouse Bro's Family Restaurant have partnered to bring "Memory Lane Café" to Niagara County, to assist those affected by Alzheimer's and dementia-related diseases and their families.

Police agencies from Western New York and Southern Ontario will honor the memories of law enforcement personnel who gave their lives in the line of duty during the 16th annual Niagara County Police Appreciation Day Interfaith Memorial Service on Thursday, May 16. The service will begin at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 400 Ridge St., Lewiston.

Two benefit events are being planned this month for the three children of the late Kevin Lapp of Wheatfield.

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission has announced upcoming summer construction activity that will result in a series of lane closures within the Queenston Plaza at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

Assemblyman John Ceretto is calling on the state to get moving on the redesign of the Robert Moses Parkway. Ceretto said every day that passes without breaking ground on the project is another day that Niagara Falls does not get to reap the economic benefits of a redeveloped waterfront.

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier and the YWCA of Niagara are joining forces to host an upcoming art auction on Friday, June 7, at the Sheraton at the Falls in Niagara Falls. The event will raise money and awareness for the marginalized populations both agencies serve in Niagara County.

Twelve brave men and one brave woman accepted diplomas Wednesday evening at Niagara University. They are the 55th graduating class of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy, Niagara County's only approved training program for law enforcement officers.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing to begin the discussion about the Boston bombings. Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the committee and ranking member of the subcommittee on counterterrorism and intelligence, will participate.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University has announced its annual "Meet Me at the CAM" film and lecture series will focus on "Great Museums within a Day's Drive."

An interim final rule published in the Federal Register and effective immediately will amend regulations to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program allowing for greater access to federal contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, signed in January.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of New York's largest tourism campaign in decades, committing nearly $60 million to grow the industry, create jobs and attract even more visitors to the Empire State.

The governor's announcement came at the conclusion of the New York State Tourism Summit, where hundreds of tourism experts gathered in Albany to discuss ideas and new ways to bring tourists to every corner of the state.

"Yesterday was huge," said Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. President and CEO John Percy on Thursday.

In January, Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, first kicked off an effort to help the City of Niagara Falls reclaim its waterfront by laying out an argument for the New York Power Authority to fully fund removal of the Robert Moses Parkway.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. board of directors met today to approve a contract that will move forward a plan to illuminate and activate grain elevators and bridges along Buffalo's waterfront, building on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's vision for a revitalized Buffalo waterfront.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, has announced the winners of the 2013 annual Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery."

New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox has announced that, as of the end of April, 87 percent of taxpayers had e-filed their personal income tax returns. More than 7.9 million taxpayers e-filed their personal income tax returns by the deadline this year - a 200,000 increase over last year.

Whether you love to sail, or like to keep your feet on solid ground, the 14th annual Jack Beatty Memorial Hospice Cruise and Clambake has something for everyone. The cruise and clambake is scheduled for July 12 at the historic Youngstown Yacht Club.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, has voted against the Assembly's bill for taxpayer-funded campaigns financed by taxpayer money through the general fund.

The American Diabetes Association, Western New York Chapter, has named Vincent Harrer of Lockport its youth ambassador for the 2013 Tour de Cure.

Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls, USA, is giving fans a chance to celebrate National Burger Month with a beach getaway to the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana.

Two long-time employees of Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence were honored Tuesday with St. Louise de Marillac Service Awards.