Applications for the 2013 Non-Traditional Student Scholarship are now available from the Zonta Club of Niagara Falls.

The Town of Niagara Lions Club celebrated its 60th anniversary at Antonio's Banquet Hall in Niagara Falls.

Niagara University has announced that Thomas A. Chambers, Ph.D., has been promoted to the position of associate vice president for academic affairs.

As part of a comprehensive effort by the Obama administration to involve more of the country's youth in science, technology, engineering and math studies, known as STEM, the U.S. Department of Transportation has requested proposals from college and high school students for unique scientific and engineering innovations in aviation and aerospace.

The Buffalo Sabres announced Thursday that MSG will air new episodes of "Beyond Blue & Gold," a video series that takes fans behind the scenes of the Sabres organization, beginning this Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m.

VIDEO: In front of a crowd of nearly 10,000 people in Abany, Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, called Thursday for the repeal of the controversial SAFE Act.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released this statement on Thursday:

A four-student team from Niagara University claimed the silver medal at the CFA Investment Research Challenge, held Feb. 19 at Canisius College.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, released this statement on Thursday:

On Thursday, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, D-NY, an original author of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, hailed the House of Representatives' bipartisan 286-138 vote to strengthen VAWA and extend the law's protections to LGBT, Native American and immigrant victims.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, voted in support of S. 74, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Thursday. The bill had previously passed in the Senate with a vote of 78-22 and now heads to the White House for the president's signature.

During a Wednesday taping of WBBZ-TV's "Political Buzz," Carl Paladino, president of Ellicott Development and former Republican candidate for governor, announced he is running for a seat on the Buffalo School Board.

Naxos Music has released the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's recording of five of Duke Ellington's orchestral works.

"Home Is Where The Art Is," a fundraising event for the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, will feature a basket raffle, and art auction on Sunday afternoon, March 10. Organizers said they hope to have 200 baskets and fine art pieces. They are looking for contributed fine art, art prints, company gift cards, gift certificates and/or gift baskets

The Buffalo History Museum presents "Giants of Buffalo," a brand new discussion series that spotlights specific industries and Western New York individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in their field. The first round of this kickoff series is in collaboration with the Buffalo Broadcasters Association, Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued an open letter Wednesday to doctors, pharmacists and other medical professionals alerting them that the prescription painkiller hydrocodone is now a Schedule II controlled substance under New York state law.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives detailing the stress sequestration would put on the nation's borders and the impact that would have on Western New Yorkers and the local economy.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, passed legislation Wednesday to enhance transparency at the New York Power Authority. Ceretto, a co-sponsor of Assembly bill 4017, noted the legislation will provide increased oversight at NYPA by standardizing the annual report, making it similar to the report electric corporations currently file under the public service law.

The Diana Krall show scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27, at UB Center for the Arts has been cancelled due to an upper respiratory infection.

The Conservative Committee of Grand Island invites the public to attend round 2 of "The Right to Bear Arms Debate" at the Holiday Inn Grand Island on Thursday, March 7, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, recently received state and national honors for its outstanding efforts in the merchandising and marketing of its beef category in Tops stores.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has recognized Life Technologies for once again showing their support for one of the largest community events held on Grand Island, the Citizen of the Year Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

The New York State Department of Health will hold a public meeting to discuss a health outcomes review for Tonawanda and surrounding areas in Erie County, including Grand Island.

This week, ABC News will cover all the pageantry and ceremonial events leading up to the Pope's historic resignation. ABC News will provide extensive coverage on "Good Morning America," "World News with Diane Sawyer," "Nightline," ABC News Radio and its digital platforms as Pope Benedict XVI says farewell in Rome.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, spoke on the House Floor to bring attention to the serious consequences that sequestration would have on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Niagara County's largest employer.

"Spring It On," a new, 24-hour online giving event designed to raise awareness and funds for not-for-profit organizations in the Buffalo/Niagara community, will take place from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 1.

The Castellani Art Museum's TopSpin Series will resume with an exhibition by Youngstown artist Carol Carreno. "Carol Carreno: Fragments of a Beautiful Journey" opens with a reception and artist talk on Sunday, March 3, from 2 until 4 p.m.

The Buffalo Zoo will hold a "Zooper Saturday" event this weekend, featuring lions and tigers.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in a case challenging the constitutionality of a core provision of the Voting Rights Act. In a friend-of-the-court brief, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman led a four-state coalition to argue that the Court should reject the constitutional challenge to the law given the important role that the Voting Rights Act plays in blocking and deterring voting discrimination.

Join the Queen City Roller Girls' Devil Dollies on Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m. at the Century Grill at 318 Pearl St., Buffalo, for an '80s dance party. Tunes will be spun by the Transmission Dance Party's DJ Bill. There will be a basket raffles, a 50/50 split and specials all night long.

Hospice Buffalo will welcoming spring along with all Erie County First Niagara branches March 6-8 with the 27th annual Hospice Buffalo Spring Bouquet Sale. Thousands of fresh flower bouquets will be available for $8 to support Hospice care.

Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "Open for Hunting and Fishing" initiative, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing changes to regulations that would provide increased hunting and trapping opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen for the growing bobcat population.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation's 20th annual Baskets O'Plenty Auction is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, at BPO Elks Lodge No. 346, 1805 Fashion Outlet Blvd., in the Town of Niagara.

The Buffalo Sabres have announced they will partner with UNYTS, Western New York's only organ, eye, tissue and community blood center, to host a blood drive on Monday, March 18. The blood drive will take place at First Niagara Center from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.

The Oscars is up year to year in viewers and Adults 18-49 to its second-most-watched telecast since '05, and spikes to a six-year high in Adults 18-34; television's biggest awards show, The Oscars paces well ahead of the 2013 Grammy Awards and the 2013 Golden Globes

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Monday that New York has joined seven states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and several environmental groups in reaching an agreement that will require the nation's largest power company to make further cuts in air pollution emissions at 16 of the company's coal-fired power plants.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced Monday that the Erie County Medical Center Corp. was awarded $1.4 million to support two energy efficiency projects that are projected to cut electricity costs by roughly $680,000 annually.

What began as a simple idea earlier last week blossomed into a sight to see Sunday afternoon at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel. A small group of servers at The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse learned about "Goin' Bald for Bucks" - a fundraising program through Roswell Park Cancer Institute - and decided to take part.

For the first time, viewers in the U.S. will be able to stream Sunday's Oscars show in its entirety across multiple platforms, including ABC.com, the ABC Player app, and the free, ad-supported Hulu and Hulu Plus subscription service.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is excited to offer its first annual "Home School Day," designed specifically for home-educated children and their families.