Thu, May 14th 2020 12:05 pm
Life as we have been very fortunate to enjoy, has taken a huge twist in the last couple of months. Please be safe.
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Thu, May 14th 2020 11:50 am
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Catholic Charities has been committed, now more than ever, to serve as a beacon of hope to our neighbors in need. In the last eight weeks, we have provided 6,081 services to more than 3,900 individuals and families throughout Niagara County.
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Thu, May 14th 2020 11:15 am
On Thursday, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt was joined by his colleagues, Sens. Pat Gallivan and Chris Jacobs, in requesting a formal, independent investigation into New York state's nursing homes. The request for this investigation was made to the New York State Senate Health Committee, the New York State Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, and the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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Thu, May 14th 2020 10:20 am
Kaleida Health and CWA Local 1168 have teamed up to offer a new mental health resource to employees on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. A team of licensed trauma therapists, The Western New York Trauma Recovery Network Association, is now providing pro bono eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy via telehealth to health care workers and first-responders who have been impacted by COVID-19.
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Thu, May 14th 2020 10:15 am
On Tuesday night, the Niagara County Legislature unanimously agreed to send a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo regarding the situation at Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Center and asking for his intervention. It read:
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Thu, May 14th 2020 10:15 am
Typically at the start of the park season, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy holds its annual fundraising luncheon, "Spring into Summer." While guests are not able to be together this year, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is creatively offering a virtual, reimagined event that will showcase much of the fun and fanfare that the vibrant in-person event is known for.
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Thu, May 14th 2020 08:40 am
Lewiston native, artist and entrepreneur Michael LaDuca recently created an online campaign to support local businesses. He raised funds through a GoFundMe initiative, where, for a $50 donation, people could purchase an 11-by-39 print of his famed Lewiston landscape watercolor photo.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 03:45 pm
The New York State Department of Labor on Wednesday announced that, in just over a month, more than 330,000 New Yorkers have been approved for the pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) program, which provides unemployment benefits to individuals who do not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance. In total, the Department of Labor has now paid $7.4 billion in unemployment benefits to New Yorkers since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March - three-and-a-half times the total paid in benefits last year.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 02:15 pm
On Wednesday, the Niagara County Center for Economic Development noted that, "as Niagara County and Western New York prepare to reopen, it is vital that all businesses have a reopening plan, which implements guidelines and protocols to ensure the health and safety of all employees and customers."
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Wed, May 13th 2020 02:10 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, recently urged the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure to adapt and deploy the innovative HABITATS (Harmful Algal Bloom Interception, Treatment, and Transformation System) pilot program on Lake Erie to fight harmful algal blooms in their next water infrastructure bill. The Congressman proposed policy text for the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), major legislation that dictates the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and practices.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 02:10 pm
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced that, as of today, the North Country has met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state's regional phased reopening plan when "New York State on PAUSE" orders expire on May 15. The area joins the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 01:55 pm
On Wednesday morning, the U.S. District Court, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, heard oral arguments regarding the County Clerk Michael P. Kearns' appeal of a lower court decision dismissing his lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the "Green Light Law."
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Wed, May 13th 2020 12:35 pm
The state's enacted budget financial plan anticipates a dire fiscal outlook in state fiscal year (SFY) 2020-21 and projects sweeping budget cuts that could affect essential services provided by the state, schools and local governments, according to an analysis released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 12:35 pm
Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living, representing over 400 skilled nursing providers and adult care/assisted living communities, issued the following statement on Tuesday:
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Wed, May 13th 2020 12:35 pm
The Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day has been canceled for 2020 due to social distancing requirements in New York state because of COVID-19. The DD Awareness Day committee unanimously voted to cancel this year's events.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 12:35 pm
The Boy Scouts of America, Greater Niagara Frontier Council, announced it will host a "virtual camporee," since "traditional campouts can't take place right now."
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Wed, May 13th 2020 12:00 pm
During the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-thrus are common for COVID-19 testing - and now for eye-pressure tests, as well. UBMD Ophthalmology at the Ross Eye Institute is offering glaucoma patients an alternative to in-office visits for their care with drive-up eye pressure testing.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 11:45 am
Erie County Medical Center Corp. today announced 10 community health center and primary care practice organizations have been approved to receive $2.3 million in Delivery Service Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP) funds to support COVID-19 testing at 27 sites and from three mobile units operating in 17 priority ZIP codes in Western New York: Amherst, Buffalo, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Wheatfield and Williamsville.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 11:40 am
Coronavirus stats for May 13.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 11:20 am
Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, on Wednesday outlined components of the Heroes Act, the latest emergency package constructed to provide relief to workers, families, small businesses and communities impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 09:25 am
Destination Niagara USA is launching "The Heart of Niagara" campaign to help support two Niagara County charities.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 09:25 am
A study by a University at Buffalo investigator sheds new light on the link between early COVID-19 symptoms and eventual positive test results. The research could lead to new protocols for determining who will be tested and how best to use testing resources.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 09:15 am
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday directed hospitals statewide to prioritize COVID-19 testing for children displaying symptoms similar to an atypical Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome. The state is currently investigating approximately 100 reported cases in New York where children - predominantly school-aged - are experiencing these symptoms possibly due to COVID-19. The illness has taken the lives of three young New Yorkers, including a 5-year old in New York City, a 7-year old in Westchester County, and a teenager in Suffolk County.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 09:10 am
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday announced members of New York's congressional delegation - Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Thomas Suozzi, Carolyn Maloney, Hakeem Jeffries, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Eliot Engel, Paul Tonko, José Serrano, Joe Morelle, Adriano Espaillat and Yvette Clarke - will propose the "Americans First Law" to help prevent corporate bailouts following the COVID-19 pandemic. First proposed by the governor on May 10, the proposed law states a corporation cannot be eligible to receive government funding if it doesn't maintain the same number of employees that the corporation had before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Wed, May 13th 2020 09:05 am
As part of a "Salute to WNY," a 914th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and three F-35 fighter wings from the Vermont National Guard flew over parts of Western New York on Tuesday to salute frontline COVID-19 health care workers, essential employees and emergency responders. The planes were slated to fly over almost a dozen-and-a-half medical locations throughout the late morning.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 04:05 pm
FeedMore WNY recently received a donation of more than 70 communication devices from AT&T in order to increase the efficiencies of the hunger-relief organization's operations and support pandemic relief efforts.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 04:00 pm
The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is providing this update to the community related to the opening of campgrounds in Erie County.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 03:20 pm
Some 6,027 University at Buffalo students are candidates to receive 6,600 degrees and certificates this commencement season.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 03:15 pm
The American Medical Association (AMA) announced it will host a national celebration to honor the 30,000 medical students who are graduating this spring. It will bring together leading voices in health care, science and culture to offer encouragement, advice and inspiration to these future physicians.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 03:15 pm
The Girl Scouts of Western New York will not open its day and resident camps for more than 2,000 girls this summer due to safety concerns about the COVID-19 virus, officials announced.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 03:05 pm
Local sales tax collections dropped 24.4% in April compared to April 2019, leaving many of New York's local governments grappling with shortfalls, according to state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Sales tax collections totaled $1.02 billion in April.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 03:00 pm
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced additional food assistance of more than $880 million to help New Yorkers with children who previously received free and reduced-price meals at school. The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program will provide eligible households with a total of about $420 per child, with school buildings closed for the remainder of the school year due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 01:20 pm
Coronavirus stats for May 12
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Tue, May 12th 2020 01:10 pm
Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh is encouraging all residents to get a COVID-19 diagnostic test. She said this is a prudent move to ensure public health, as well as a necessary component required for reopening Western New York.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 10:50 am
The Niagara County Legislature has reached a bipartisan agreement to appoint Meghan Lutz as commissioner of the Department of Social Services. Lutz had been serving as interim commissioner since the retirement of Anthony Restaino in January.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 10:00 am
The elected leaders in North Tonawanda are sponsoring a food drive this Thursday to benefit the North Tonawanda Inter-Church Food Pantry. The event will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 755 Erie Ave.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 10:00 am
Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, is calling for a $5 billion investment over the next five years supporting research led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) into the treatment and prevention of coronavirus disease.
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Tue, May 12th 2020 07:00 am
The Grand Island Dispatch for May 8, 2020
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Mon, May 11th 2020 06:55 pm
U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Reps. Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) and Mike Kelly (R-PA-16) introduced bicameral legislation to ensure low-income families impacted by the current coronavirus outbreak can use the wages reported in their 2019 tax return to compute the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) on their 2020 tax return.
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Mon, May 11th 2020 06:50 pm
New York Attorney General Letitia James provided direction to law enforcement departments throughout New York state so they have clear guidance on how to protect the public from unlawful evictions both during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis and into the future.
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