Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was presented Tuesday with the Buffalo Billion investment development plan by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo continued a statewide Regional Economic Development Council Progress tour Tuesday in Buffalo and Niagara Falls where he was briefed on Western New York projects to understand their progress and their economic impact in the region.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced an agreement Tuesday that will prevent the Maid of the Mist scenic boat excursions from shutting down. The multilateral agreement spearheaded by the governor provides for the Maid of the Mist to continue to operate in the Niagara Gorge and for it to produce increased revenues for Niagara Falls State Park.

The agreement will also lead to improvements of the boat tour experience for park visitors and will protect New York state from potential disruptions to a critical tourism attraction for decades to come.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute has been named to The Leapfrog Group's annual Top Hospitals list for a third consecutive year. One of only three National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in New York state, RPCI is the only New York facility to be named a Leapfrog Top Hospital for 2012.

Two of the Niagara County Legislature's top officials announced Monday that they would oppose the nomination of Democrat Elections Commissioner Nancy L. Smith at Tuesday's meeting of the Niagara County Legislature following Smith's appearance before a Legislature committee last week.

More than 200 of the world's greatest snowmobilers to race in AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series during three action-packed days - Feb. 22-24

Each year, the Buffalo Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives group names a local business leader its Executive of the Year. Russell J. Salvatore, president and CEO of Russell's Steaks, Chops and More Restaurant and Salvatore's Grand Hotel, has been selected to receive the 2012 honor during the annual awards gala on Monday, March 4, 2013, at Salvatore's Italian Gardens.

Candles twinkle in the windows of the 286-year-old French Castle. Outside the imposing stone structure, lanterns line Old Fort Niagara's walkways as soldiers in cocked hats and wool coats prepare their muskets to perform a grand feu de joie, a firing of joy, in honor of the holiday season.

The enduringly popular daytime television game show "The Price Is Right" is set to feature Braddock Point Lighthouse in Hilton, N.Y., in a "Lighthouses Around the World" vacation getaway showcase prize early in 2013.

During a Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Niagara University community will celebrate the life of Brother Augustine Towey, C.M. The Mass will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. in the Alumni Chapel on the Niagara University campus. A small reception will follow in the Glynn Family Atrium in Bisgrove Hall.

Niagara County Community College, in conjunction with the College Association of NCCC, will host "Santa's Workshop" weekends at the college's new Niagara Falls Culinary Institute through Dec. 24.

The Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9249 is sponsoring a benefit on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at the Grand Island Knights of Columbus Hall, 1841 Whitehaven Road, for the Briggs family.

Sister Beth Brosmer of the Heart, Love and Soul Food Pantry and Dining Room in Niagara Falls has announced the following Christmas food and toy sign-up schedules for clients. Times are: Dec. 3 to 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Dec. 7, 2 to 4 p.m.; and Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to noon.

The members of the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co. are actively raising funds for a new ambulance, and they need your help. The new ambulance fund, "Survives on donations alone," explained YFC Trustee Greg Robertson Sr.

Several of the key writers from the recently published binational book, "From the Mouth of the Lower Niagara River: Stories of Four Historic Communities," will be present at the Lewiston Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., for a special book signing event.

Ryan Seacrest hosts the year's biggest celebration at the crossroads of the world when Carly Rae Jepsen and Neon Trees join headliner Taylor Swift performing live in Times Square, on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013," Monday, Dec. 31, on ABC.

Visitors to Youngstown's "Christmas in the Village" program on Saturday, Dec. 8, will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for free family passes to Old Fort Niagara's popular "Castle by Candlelight" programs scheduled for Saturday nights, Dec. 15 and 22.

The holiday season is here with shopping, baking and decorating under way. Holiday events and activities are happening all over Niagara County and next weekend will be no exception, with "Christmas in the Village" in Youngstown.

Black Friday doesn't have to be associated with "big box" stores and middle-of-the-night wake-up calls any longer. Local retailers in The Village of Lewiston came together this year for Lewiston's first retail district-wide Black Friday event.

The annual Lewiston Christmas Walk, hosted by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, is taking place this weekend and next in the Village of Lewiston.

There is just something about babies and Christmas. And why not? After all, the story in Scripture tells us not just about the infant Jesus, but also his infant cousin John.

The Niagara Presbyterian Church deacons are hosting a Christmas cookie walk from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the church, 3712 Military Road, Town of Niagara.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched www.BeTobaccoFree.gov, a comprehensive website providing one-stop access to the best and most up-to-date tobacco-related information from across its agencies.

Batter up, breakfast lovers! IHOP, one of America's most popular family-friendly restaurants, known for "everything you love about breakfast," will once again invite guests to enjoy free pancakes during National Pancake Day on Feb. 5, 2013, while celebrating Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' 30th anniversary.

It's coming into that wintry season again and, before you know it, the roads will be covered with snow.

The New York State Department and Environmental Conservation announced this week the scheduling of public hearings on a permit renewal application and draft permit on file with DEC for CWM Chemical Services LLC's continued operations in Porter. Now under way, the renewal permit process public comment period continues to Jan. 28, 2013.

Volunteers with Crusade Against Impaired Driving are urging drivers across our area to not text or drink and drive this holiday season with their second annual CAID holiday campaign.

The Western New York Land Conservancy announced recently it has been awarded $316,673 from the Niagara Greenway Commission's Ecological Standing Committee to perform a comprehensive inventory of the ecological, geological, scenic and cultural resources of the Niagara County portion of the Niagara Escarpment.

Interested in LASIK surgery for yourself, a relative, a friend or someone in need? Get your video cameras and iPhones ready. Fichte Endl & Elmer Eyecare presents the Great Holiday LASIK Giveaway.

Grand Island resident Kali J. (Mordaunt) Korzelius was honored posthumously with the Outstanding Volunteer Award at the annual All Star Night Gala for Roswell Park Cancer Institute on Saturday, Nov. 3.

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists and winners for its 2013 Youth Ambassador Scholarship Program.

The Mitten Project at the Golden Age Center has resulted in more than 2,000 hand-made items - hats, mittens, scarves and headbands - distributed to 24 missions for the needy. This is an ongoing project and made possible by many seniors by donations of yard and cash for purchase of yarn.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto applauded the announcement Friday from Gov. Andrew Cuomo that the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station will receive $425,000 from two state grants. These grants will help the Niagara County Center for Economic Development promote the importance of the 914th and 107th Airlift Wings and support the development of local jobs in conjunction with these two units' missions.

The efforts of Grand Islanders are making a great difference in the lives of people on an island 1,500 miles away.

The Sanborn Area Historical Society will host its Holiday Open House at the Schoolhouse Museum on Niagara Street from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University will host its sixth annual Holiday Bash on Friday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with friends in the central gallery of Niagara University's Castellani Art Museum.

American winemakers are always seeking the attention of French journalists. Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. was able to create interest in the Niagara Wine Trail from Sipa, a general-interest French press agency, with just one conversation.

With a lead in ballots greater than the amount of ballots remaining, Assemblyman John D. Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, has declared victory in his re-election campaign in the newly created 145th Assembly District.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, National Grid will present the 2012 Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. This annual event marks the official opening of the free ice-skating season in downtown Buffalo.

The sale of WNED-AM 970 by Western New York Public Broadcasting Association to Crawford Broadcasting Company will be effective on Friday, Nov. 30, at midnight.