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.

Today, the New York State Senate passed legislation authorizing Niagara County to prohibit level two and three sex offenders from being within 1,500 feet of any school grounds or child care facility.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto, R-I-C-Lewiston, today voted against the DREAM Act, which he said imposes further costs on middle class families who are already struggling to pay for their children's college education. The DREAM Act, which was passed, would allow illegal aliens who are also students to receive taxpayer funds for their college education.

Call it a matter of consistency.

Members of the Niagara River Greenway Commission met Tuesday at the Beaver Island State Park Clubhouse to consider three submissions for project consistency with Greenway Plan objectives.

The annual Grand Island Father's Day Lawn Mower Races, Classic Car Show and 5K Kevin Doring Memorial Walk are taking registrations for the kind of competitive but mostly fun day, Sunday, June 16, on West River Parkway between Long Road and Sunset Drive. Proceeds benefit the Grand Island Relay For Life/American Cancer Society.

WGRZ has announced Jennifer Stanonis is now full time on the 2 On Your Side team, making Storm Team 2 the largest weather team in Buffalo. Stanonis joins Kevin O'Connell, Andy Parker, Maria Genero and Mary Beth Wrobel, thus expanding the station's commitment to covering weather in Western New York.

The New York State Senate and Assembly passed legislation yesterday that increases penalties for killing a police dog or police horse while on the line of duty.

The silver anniversary Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day conference is Thursday, May 23. It will feature Western New York professionals and businesses that specialize in services for people with developmental disabilities. The full-day event will be held at The Conference Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St.

Dunkin' Donuts is inviting Buffalo-area residents to get ready for summer with the return of "Iced Coffee Day." On Wednesday, May 22, $1 from every cup of iced coffee sold at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout the greater Buffalo area will directly benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Holly Cowman, the international relations officer from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland, visited Niagara University Monday to mark the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.

State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R,-I-60, has announced passage of Senate bill S. 1710, which would provide green development home tax exemptions. Grisanti's bill would allow a tax exemption of 35 percent for real property for a period of no longer than 20 years if authorized by the local municipality.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center recently turned the spotlight on its volunteers, celebrating their service and commitment at a luncheon at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

The New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, in partnership with Old Falls Street and the Comfort Inn The Pointe, will host the 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Jennifer Pharr Davis.

The eight area YMCA Buffalo Niagara locations will be collecting old worn and tattered flags ready for retirement from June 3-7. Flags will be taken to Forest Lawn Cemetery on Saturday, June 8, for proper retirement.

Everyone likes Gary Hall.

But that doesn't mean everyone is on board with his plan to build a tennis center at his North Second Street property.

The Health Association of Niagara County Inc. will present six awards at its annual meeting and luncheon at noon on June 6 at the Niagara Falls Country Club, 505 Mountain View Drive, Lewiston. The nonprofit agency will also conduct elections for its board of directors.

Dr. Stuart Weinstein recently presented a check from Advanced Dental to Niagara Falls Air Base Capt. Gina Pizziconi-Cupples.