Community volunteers teamed up with employees from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Saturday to spruce up Artpark's historic woods, its trails, and improvement projects for the summer.

Some 4,818 students are candidates to receive degrees during the University at Buffalo's 167th general commencement and 14 other commencement ceremonies.

Lewiston's volunteer director for the War of 1812 bicentennial, Lee Simonson, has been awarded the "Spirit of 1812" medal by the United States Daughters of 1812. The distinguished award is the highest national honor bestowed by the volunteer women's service organization, which is dedicated to promoting patriotism and preserving and increasing knowledge of the history of the American people.

A New York City Supreme Court justice issued a decision Friday in the case of George McDonald v. NYC Campaign Finance Board and the City of New York, upholding New York City's campaign limits on contributions to candidates, including those who "opt out" of the city's public financing program.

Citizens participating in New York Voices for Animals Day will meet with lawmakers to advocate for several bills to improve the welfare of animals in the state.

The Sanborn Business & Professional Association has chosen Wendt's Propane & Oil as the 2013 Sanborn Business of the Year. Wendt's Propane & Oil takes immense pride in serving its community, providing outstanding customer service and creating a unique relationship with all of its customers.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the nation's largest one-day food drive to benefit those in need - The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

The fifth annual Niagara Falls Relay For Life, a signature fund raising event for the American Cancer Society, will take place on Saturday, May 18, from noon to midnight on Old Falls Street in Niagara Falls.

Lewiston's Casa Antica, which recently opened its patio for the season, will be one of the village's numerous eateries serving up smelt this weekend.

The United Way of Greater Niagara recently elected officers and members of its board of directors for 2013 at its annual meeting.

Leadership Niagara has announced it will expand its LYNC youth leadership development program to engage 400 students over the next five years thanks to an unprecedented $375,000 grant from the Irene E. Witkowski-Agrawal Foundation.

Ready to start grilling? Many New Yorkers are already enjoying their barbecues and other outdoor amenities. And while gas grills, portable fire pits, and patio heaters make outdoor spaces comfortable places to gather, it's important that they are used properly.

Hope United Methodist Church at 2914 Upper Mountain Road, Pekin, will hold its spring rummage and baked goods sale, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 4.

Niagara University's recreation department is now accepting registrations for its popular Summer Youth Camp, which will be held on campus from June 24 to Aug. 16.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

Fresh off the stunning approval of a cut-rate electricity deal between a Canadian government-run power monopoly and New York City by the New York State Public Service Commission, local leaders rallied Thursday, calling for the deal to be blocked before local jobs are lost.

The New York State Humane Association, headquartered in Kingston, is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for discarding an 8-week-old battered puppy with a broken jaw near a garbage pick-up site in the 600 block of 30th Street in Niagara Falls.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, announced today that he has introduced the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act (H.R. 1801), which would require health insurance companies to equally cover and reimburse intravenous/injectable and orally administered anti-cancer medication.

The seventh annual "I Love New York" Empire State Tourism Conference took place this week in Niagara Falls. This year's theme was "Building Our Empire," and the focus was on making tourism a strong foundation in New York state.

This Friday will be better than Christmas for 17-year-old Zach Nash.

The Town of Niagara teenager practically hums with excitement as he talks about his debut race in his own car at Ransomville Speedway.

Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs is hosting the first-ever teen driver's "Learner Permit Testing Day" for high school students who are interested in taking steps to get their driver's license, while encouraging driver safety and care while operating a motor vehicle.

New York Farm Bureau is very appreciative of the quick work performed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and her staff to correct a policy interpretation it said could have cost New York apple and fruit growers tens of thousands of dollars.

The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State has announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, to serve as the NPA executive director. Ferrara is a practicing senior clinical associate in a large urban hospital system in the Bronx, and a leader in creating legislation to advance the practice of nurse practitioners in New York state.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced the formation of a new animal protection initiative aimed at shutting down criminal animal fighting rings, ensuring compliance with New York state's Pet Lemon Law, charging those who abuse or neglect animals, and cracking down on the abuses of so-called "puppy mills" in order to protect the welfare of the animals being sold and the consumers.

The fifth annual "Run with the Rapids" 5K Race will be held on Saturday, May 18, in downtown Niagara Falls. This USA Track & Field-sanctioned race will benefit the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association.

The Town of Niagara Town Board on Tuesday voted to take lead agency status for the expansion of Fashion Outlets of Niagara.

When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, they are not the only one with questions - family and friends also have a slew of them as well, such as what does it mean? What kinds of plans need to be made? What kinds of resources are available? As the disease progresses, new questions arise, reflecting the growing need for information, programs and services.

On May 11, the letter carriers in Western New York will be conducting a food drive to assist the less fortunate people of our city.

On Sunday, May 5, Furever Friends Dog Rescue of WNY will hold a Chinese auction fundraiser to assist its efforts to rescue and secure permanent homes for dogs in puppy mills. The event will take place from noon until 5 p.m. at the Tonawanda Sportman's Club, 5657 Killian Road, Pendleton.

High-ranking public officials, school administrators and union heads will link arms at the Somerset Operating Facility on Thursday to urge that a New York State Public Service Commission ruling that allows construction of a 1,000-megawatt line from Quebec to New York City be stopped.

Residents of Buffalo will call on State Sen. Mark Grisanti to bring "real democracy" to New York by supporting publicly financed elections. At "A Cup of Coffee for Democracy," residents will march to Grisanti's office with empty coffee cups to show how public financing will cost merely $2 per New Yorker a year, or less than the price of a single cup of coffee.

The buy-local boom is good news for our local farmers trying to get fresh produce to local restaurants and tables. A new business venture is set to unite growers and buyers in a quick, auction-style fashion.

The Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. helped to land some "big ones" in the outdoor media world. National media will be in town next week for some of the area's stellar spring fishing.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, is pushing the Main Street Revival Act (H.R. 952), bipartisan legislation that is intended to help promote economic growth and fill vacancies along America's main streets. Collins is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the legislation in the House.

An open session meeting of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, which will include CFA status reports; a "Buffalo Billion" update; and presentations on the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority Cleaner Greener Communities Sustainability Plan for Western New York, Path Through History's heritage tourism marketing plan and New York State "Work for Success" Employment Initiative.

Modern Recycling of Model City (Lewiston) and Daemen College in Amherst announce a collaboration to recycle food waste and raise awareness about the value of composting as part of International Compost Awareness Week, May 6-12 (http://compostingcouncil.org/icaw).

Calling all Lewiston residents with a green thumb: The Lewiston GardenFest is looking for interested homeowners who are willing to showcase their private gardens during this year's annual event, to be held Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23.

Residents do not need to showcase their entire yard, but instead can choose a section they wish to highlight.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Congressman Brian Higgins joined Erie Community College and regional workforce development officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of ECC's new, state-of-the-art One-Stop Career Training Center inside its North Campus Gleasner Hall on Tuesday.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, is putting pressure on the Assembly to, as he calls it, "stop protecting their own corrupt members and allow two government reform bills to come to the floor for a vote."

In order to encourage greater voter participation, shorten waits and lines at polling places, and expand voting access for all New Yorkers, Speaker Sheldon Silver and Chair of the Election Law Committee Michael Cusick today joined with Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman to announce the Assembly's intention to pass legislation (A.689-A) instituting early voting in New York state.