Two first-time events are scheduled this June to assist the Niagara County SPCA. One involves taking a walk in Hyde Park in Niagara Falls. The other is a firefighter competition, part of a five-day Jamboree set for the old Summit Park Mall in Wheatfield.

On Monday, the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees approved a development plan for an 80-by-120-by-35-foot indoor tennis facility on the Waste Technology Services campus at 435 N. Second St.

Veterans of the War of 1812 - Mathias Kline and Chester Barber - were honored with a plaque at the Kline Road Cemetery in a ceremony earlier this month by the Town of Lewiston.

Elected, community and business leaders are reminding local residents and companies of the opportunity to share their story with the judge considering the sentence in the federal case against Tonawanda Coke.

"Last night's collapse of a section of the I-5 bridge in Washington State is a frightening reminder of the critical state of our nation's infrastructure. We are thankful that no one was killed, but an incident like this should never be acceptable in this nation."

On Friday, New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-I-Buffalo, and New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-WF-Buffalo, announced legislation to reform the Niagara River Greenway.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Thursday that creates comprehensive safety requirements for children's jewelry to prevent exposure to harmful materials. The bill (S3947), sponsored by Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-I-North Buffalo, regulates heavy metals, magnets and batteries in jewelry intended for use by children age 12 and younger (consistent with the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act).

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, voted Thursday in favor of an exemption for qualified retired police officers from the provisions of the SAFE Act. While Ceretto maintains his opposition to the SAFE Act as a whole and wants to see the entire law repealed, he views this exemption as another step toward the process of total repeal.

Robotics students from Lockport's Emmet Belknap Intermediate School traveled to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for a visit with SAL the Surgical Robot.

The Historical Association of Lewiston is holding its once-a-year organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28. Those in attendance at the Lewiston Village Pub will hear about the business side of things, including financial reports and news about programs and projects.

In the wake of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma, and in north Texas last week, Better Business Bureau and BBB Wise Giving Alliance have issued tips to help donors make smart giving decisions and to avoid scams.

The Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave., will offer a "High Five for the Military" discount on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. Members of the United States military and up to four guests will be admitted to the Buffalo Zoo for $5 total.

Leadership for the Youth of Niagara County and Community Missions are teaming to help make prom season smoother for area teens.

Youngstown Veterans of Foreign War Post 313 will hold a Memorial Day ceremony at the Fort Niagara War of 1812 Cemetery on Monday at 11 a.m. VFW members, accompanied by the Lewiston-Porter Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard, will march from the Fort Niagara Officers Club to the cemetery to begin the ceremony.

Area VFW, American Legion and veterans organizations will participate in a parade down Center Street in the Village of Lewiston from Fourth Street to the Veterans Memorial in Academy Park on Monday, May 27, beginning at 11 a.m.

Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown will showcase the region's military history from the 17th through the 20th centuries with an event called "Soldiers through the Ages."

On Monday, Americans will honor men and women who died while serving this country.

Solemn ceremonies will be held in both the Town of Niagara and in Wheatfield.

VFW Niagara Falls Post 54, 2772 Main St., Niagara Falls, will hold a basket raffle, farmers market, craft show and bake sale from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 26, to benefit its building fund.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced a new "Congress on Your Corner" stop in North Tonawanda for residents to gain assistance with federal issues.

New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman joined 32 other states Wednesday in announcing an antitrust settlement with Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Congressman Brian Higgins released the following statement in response to details about "record mismanagement" at the Veteran's Administration Western New York Healthcare System:

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued a warning to New Yorkers today after receiving information from multiple consumers about a scam targeting senior citizens with robo-calls advising that they have been "approved" for medical alert equipment at "no charge."

AAA projects 34.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 0.9 percent decrease from the 35.1 million people who traveled last year. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 23, to Monday, May 27.

In what has become something of a rite of spring, more than 50 National Grid employees returned to Gill Creek Park in Niagara Falls Wednesday to continue efforts to beautify and transform this popular public park and community asset into one of Niagara County's most picturesque and useful green spaces.

More than 9,000 Realtors gathered in Washington, D.C., last week during the Realtors 2013 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman praised the New York State Assembly Wednesday for passing two important pieces of legislation aimed at protecting homeowners in New York.

It wasn't a perfect report, but it was vastly different than the one the Niagara County SPCA got in January 2012 from Barbara Carr.

Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour is urging everyone to buckle up heading into the busy summer driving season.

The International Bottled Water Association is encouraging consumers to take action during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which runs from May 26 through June 1.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Tuesday unveiled "Tax-Free NY," a game-changing initiative that will transform SUNY campuses and university communities across the state into tax-free communities that attract start-ups, venture capital, new business, and investments from across the world.

Cuomo said Tax-Free NY will entice companies to bring their ventures to upstate New York by offering new businesses the opportunity to operate completely tax-free - including no income tax for employees, no sales, property or business tax - while also partnering with the world-class higher education institutions in the SUNY system.

State Sen. George Maziarz, R-C-Newfane, lauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Tax-Free NY proposal - a plan announced yesterday that would stimulate economic development by leveraging higher education assets in the SUNY system. Thinking of the potential impact on his own Senate district, Maziarz has suggested to the governor that Niagara Falls be used as a prime example for how the plan can be successful.

With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, many people will be hosting backyard barbecues and using their grill for the first time this year. The Firemen's Association of the State of New York reminds residents to make this summertime favorite a safe one by following some important fire safety tips.

To thank active duty and retired military personnel for their service, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is offering buy one, get one free tickets to the Patriotic Pops concerts at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 24, and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals commends New York legislators for passing A.2596/S.1079, to increase criminal penalties for the intentional killing or injuring of a police animal, including both police dogs and horses. Sponsored by Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-Rockland, and Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, A.2596/S.1079 passed unanimously and now heads to the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his signature.

"Police dogs are on the front lines detecting dangers, apprehending criminals, and rescuing victims every day," said Bill Ketzer, senior state director of ASPCA government relations for the northeast region. "The loss of a police animal is a loss to the entire community, and we applaud New York legislators for passing this bill."

New York state voters approved 95.5 percent of school district budgets on Tuesday, according to an analysis by the New York State School Boards Association.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti announced passage of bill that amends the highway law to designate the bridge that crosses over Route 198 into Delaware Park that connects Nottingham Terrace with Hoyt Lake in the City of Buffalo as "Scajaquada 9/11 Memorial Bridge."

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, has announced his support for the Public Officers Accountability Act of 2013, which was introduced in the Assembly Tuesday by Minority Leader Brian Kolb.

Michael A. Ross of Lockport was appointed fourth district coroner by Niagara County lawmakers Tuesday night, succeeding former coroner Richard Rutland, who resigned last month.

National Mortgage Settlement Monitor Joseph A. Smith Jr. today released an update on the consumer relief activities of the five banks that are parties to the National Mortgage Settlement, as reported by the banks through March 31, 2013.

More than 1,500 health care workers from across New York packed the West Capitol Park in Albany today for a rally in support of two bills to address the patient care crisis in this state - the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act (A6571/ S3691-A), which would create safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for acute care facilities, and the Safe Patient Handling Act (A2180-A/S1123-A), which would create a statewide safe patient handling policy.