National Infant Immunization Week is being held April 20 through 27. This is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities throughout the United States.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, received confirmation that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has authorized $22 million for the next stage of Buffalo River restoration. The federal funding will be matched dollar for dollar by a consortium of non-federal funding partners, through a partnership agreement between the Honeywell Corporation and Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, for a combined $44 million project.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced that the golf course at Beaver Island State Park is now open.

It may not yet be a "Tough Mudder" or even a "Spartan Race," but an upcoming physical challenge at Niagara University is anything but basic.

Well, come to think of it, it is.

New Directions Youth and Family Services, Western New York's leading provider of services for at-risk children and families, invites the community to join the organization for an evening of fine wines, music and gourmet hors d'oeuvres at the fourth annual "Wines of Distinction" fundraiser.

Supermarket Liquors and Wines has signed on to be a platinum sponsor for Artpark's 40th anniversary gala on June 1. Owner Chris Castellani has personally donated two bottles of wine from his own collection.

Wild Kritters of Niagara County Inc., an organization that cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, hosts its seventh annual basket raffle Sunday, April 21, at the 3F Conservation Club, 904 Swann Road, Youngstown.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors has accepted applications for assistance from Power Greenhouse Integration LLC for a greenhouse renovation project in the Town of Wheatfield and Plati Niagara Inc. LLC for another new hotel in Niagara Falls.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival on Friday, May 3, at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront.

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, recently took to the House of Representatives Floor to raise awareness of the need for a renewed national focus on preventing, treating and caring for those with Alzheimer's disease.

Niagara County Fourth District Coroner Richard W. Rutland resigned Tuesday, citing "personal reasons" in a two-sentence letter of resignation to county lawmakers. The resignation takes effect April 30.

The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association has filed a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court in Buffalo seeking to stop enforcement of various provisions of the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013. At the same time, the association also filed a motion for expedited hearing on its motion for a preliminary injunction.

The Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School board of trustees announced Tuesday Ronald K. Buggs has officially taken on the role of president/principal of the school. He replaces Robert DiFrancesco, who retired in March.

CMS @ The Chapel, part of the Christian Musician Summit series, is taking registrations for its May 3 and 4 event at The Chapel at Crosspoint in Buffalo. The conference, a popular event of workshops and performances, features some of the top musicians in the Christian music industry.

Join the C.A.F.E. of Niagara County group on Monday, April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. for a free summer services fair for people with developmental disabilities.

The Erie Canal Discovery Center has announced local Canalway Trail enthusiast Carol Schmelz was selected to receive the eighth annual Key to the Locks Award on May 4 at 11 a.m. at the Discovery Center in Lockport.

The Buffalo Sabres Green Team has announced it will be teaming up with the Buffalo Recycling Alliance to host a "Community Carnival and RecycleFest" on April 27, from noon until 2 p.m., at Community Charter School.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, will be hosting a Facebook town hall meeting on his Facebook page Tuesday, April 16, from to 7 p.m. Constituents will be able to post questions and comments about the issues that most affect them and their communities, including gun control, job creation, casino gaming, education funding and tourism.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, is announcing the dredging of three Lake Ontario harbors is on track to happen next year. Collins said the Army Corp of Engineers now has the funding it needs to perform maintenance dredging in Oak Orchard, Olcott and Wilson harbors.

Everywoman Opportunity Center Inc. will honor outstanding Western New York community members at its 29th annual awards dinner. For almost 30 years, Everywoman has given awards in recognition of the outstanding actions of women who are pathfinders, risk-takers and role models for all women in their communities.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear the case of Kachalsky, et al. v. Cacace, et al. challenging New York state's handgun licensing statute, which requires individuals to demonstrate "proper cause" to obtain a license to carry concealed handguns in public.

The Coalition of Agencies in Service to the Elderly will hold its 24th annual spring networking conference, "Navigating Transitions: Preparing for the Next Phase of Life," on Wednesday, May 8, at American Legion Post 1451.

Niagara University's College of Business Administration will be taking care of a lot of important business at the Buffalo Marriott on April 25.

Beaver Island State Park will be offering a safe boating course from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, in the lower level of the Beaver Island Clubhouse. This course is for ages 10 and up and is recommended for recreational boaters and paddlers. This class is required for personal watercraft operators.

Applications are now being accepted for the Ruth and William O. Sass Scholarship to encourage excellence in the field of nursing.

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University is hosting "A Night of Country Line and Couples Dancing" from 7-11 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

Niagara Hospice reports the highly anticipated Mighty Niagara Half Marathon and Hospice Dash 5K Walk/Run will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21. The half marathon begins with a pre-race concert at Artpark and offers one of the most scenic routes in New York state.

HARBORcenter Development LLC officially broke ground Saturday on HARBORcenter, a mixed-use hockey and entertainment facility being developed on the Webster Block in downtown Buffalo, directly across Perry Street from First Niagara Center.

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier has announced the Sabres signed free agent defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (ROO-wee-dell) to a two-year, entry-level contract.

The Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation will hold its third annual reverse draw fundraiser on Wednesday, May 1, at The Como Restaurant, 2220 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls. The event is the continuation of an event that, for 34 years, was conducted by the Temple Beth Israel. In 2011, the leadership of the Temple bestowed the fundraiser to Mount St. Mary's.

Come this summer, look for the Village of Youngstown to make its mark on the lower Niagara like no other time before.

Mark Andol, founder of the Made in America Store, is opening a 100-percent American Made Souvenir Shop in Niagara Falls in mid-April. It is the first souvenir store in the country that will give visitors the opportunity to buy authentic, American-made merchandise.

New York Lottery draw team members Yolanda Vega and Gretchen Dizer will be bringing the statewide "Family Feud" promotion tour to Amherst and Buffalo this weekend with two separate stops at the Boulevard Mall on Saturday, April 13, and the Galleria Mall on Sunday, April 14.

The enacted state budget was completed on time, sending a positive signal to bond markets and taxpayers, according to a preliminary report released Friday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, sent a letter Friday to Gov. Andrew Cuomo asking him to use the lion's share of the $50 million "Open for Business" fund to promote tourism and businesses in Niagara and Erie counties.

Ordinarily, it wouldn't raise eyebrows for a Niagara University program description to state that "everything you bring must fit into a backpack." When the program takes place in Central America, it presents a different challenge.

Niagara Falls Music & Art Festival President Rick A. Crogan, volunteer Becky Marchetti and Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster spoke Thursday at a press conference announcing details for the third annual summer event, scheduled to take place this year from June 28-30.

Joe Mihalich was announced as the new men's basketball coach at Hofstra University on Long Island. Mihalich had previously served 15 years as the men's basketball coach at Niagara University.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, issued the following statement regarding President Obama's budget proposal.